Fall 2003

SAN 384s • 1-Advanced Readings in Sanskrit

Course Description

An early form of Sanskrit was brought to India by the Aryans probably sometime in the middle of the second millennium BCE. The earliest form of that language that has come down to us is called “vedic” by scholars, that is, the language of the Vedic Hymns, espeically those of the Rg Veda. This language developed over the course of time until around the 4th century BCE, when the famous Sanskrit grammarian Panini wrote a descriptive grammar which fixed for all time the “correct Sanskrit”. This form of Sanskrit, in which most of the later literature is written, is commonly referred to as “Classical Sanskrit.” In one form or another, therefore, Sanskrit has had an unbroken literary tradition for over 3,000 years. It is this rich and vast literary, religious, philosphical, and scientific heritage to which the study of Sanskrit opens the door.

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