On Arjuna अर्जुन Arjun' (2009)

You would notice that I have titled my book as Arise Arjun' not as Arise Arjuna. Many of you are used to seeing Arjuna in print, and therefore, you might think that the name has been spelt wrongly. No, it has not been.

Popular spelling Arjuna has given rise to the popular pronunciation अर्जुना which is totally incorrect pronunciation. Though it is true that vast majority of learned people, including those who may give you the impression that they are experts in Sanskrit pronounce it as अर्जुना, on account of ‘herd mentality’. For, they dare not deviate from a set path.

That legendary character after whose name I have set the title of this book was known as अर्जुन. I hope you are able to see the difference between अर्जुन and अर्जुना. One may or may not know exactly how the last alphabet न should be pronounced in Sanskrit but that does not justify pronouncing न as ना.

You may not be able to perfectly pronounce अर्जुन as it is supposed to be pronounced in Sanskrit but it is certain that if you look at it in print as Arjun' the pronunciation that will come out of your vocal cord will sound closer to अर्जुन but if you look at it in print as Arjuna you are bound to pronounce it अर्जुना. Therefore, to me, distorting the name of legendary character अर्जुन by pronouncing it as अर्जुना, which is direct fallout of misguided action of spelling it as Arjuna, is an intellectual crime. 

As for my own name is concerned, I want it pronounced as मानोज रखित very much the way it appears in print.

My name begins with मा which is indicative of my submission to नारायणी माँ भवतारिणी.

As for अर्जुन he never expressed the desire to be called अर्जुना and therefore, you must not do so.

17 May 2011, 03:11 AM -