Definition of culture
Published by Mysorean on Monday, August 01, 2005 at 9:30:00 pm.
'Culture' is the equivalent of the sanskrit word "samskriti", it is better to study this word first, its connotations and implications. The verbal root 'kr' (to do) can give rise to several nouns when associated with certain prefixes. Out of these, three words have a direct bearing on our subject: prakrti (basic matter or condition), samskrti(refined matter or condition) and vikrti (modified or decayed matter or condition).
These can be explained further with suitable examples:
A block of stone is 'prakrti', the basic raw material. When it is sculptured into a beautiful image, it becomes 'samskrti'.
A lump of gold is 'prakrti'. An elegant ornament made out of it is 'samskrti'.
Raw food articles like rice and sugar are 'prakrti', whereas a delicious pudding prepared out of them is 'samskrti'.
On the other hand, if the block of stone is broken into chips or the gold lump is reduced to powder or the food articles get putrefied, they become 'vikrti'.
The English word 'culture' is derived from the Latin term cult or cultus, meaning, 'tilling, care, and refining a thing to such an extent that its end-product evokes our admiration and respect. This is practically the same as 'samskrti' of the Sanskrit language.
The word 'cultivation', also derived from the same Latin root, as generally applied to the cultivation of crops from the earth, involves several processes such as tilling and preparing the ground, sowing the seeds, watering and manuring as also removing the weeds and destroying harmful insects. This will ultimately resultin reaping a good crop.
This word also fits in very well with the concept of samskrti. Another expression current in the Sanskrit language is 'samskara'. It refers to the process of cultivating, preparing or refining. The abstract quality in the end product is called 'samskrti'. But very often, the two words are used as if they are identical.
Tomorrow: Right or Practical?
