BEGINNERS COURSE

Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language that is still spoken and written today.

Foundation of any language is its grammar.

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Sanskrit Beginners Course, learning the Devanagari alphabet and first sentences online

In this beginners course we focus on grammar, basic sentence formation, adding to your vocabulary.

Our guide to Sanskrit grammar uses clear and simple language, and it does not expect any special background knowledge.

The course at a glance

DURATION / TIMINGS

  • 36 hours course
  • about 4 months
  • 2 hours/week

WHERE / HOW?

  • Live on Zoho Meeting, from anywhere
  • Batches capped at 10 students
  • Every class recorded for revision

ELIGIBILITY

  • Anyone can join
  • No prior knowledge about the language needed

COURSE OUTCOME

  • Knowing basics of Sanskrit
  • Student will be able to understand and converse in simple Sanskrit
  • This course will enable the student to read simple shlokas
  • One will have enough vocabulary used in day to day life

Course Curriculum

Varnamala or alphabets is a combination of vowels (स्वराः) and consonants (व्यञ्जनानि). To start with the language we first need to understand its sounds. The script used is the devnagari script.

Understanding vowels and consonants and its sounds in detail.

We will learn how to introduce oneself in Sanskrit (स्वःपरिचयः).

Understanding basic pronouns and to use in the sentence formation.

Learning basic 7 interrogative questions i.e. What, Why, When, How, Which, Who in Sanskrit.

Learning common verbs Asti-To Be and Nasti–Not there and making simple sentences related to day to day life.

Learning numbers in Sanskrit from 1-20.

Knowing different primary and secondary colours.

Learning Present tense (वर्तमानकालः) and knowing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd person also in all 3 genders i.e. masculine, Feminine and neuter. Present tense are of two kinds Perasmepadi and Atmanepadi.

Explore and learn the days of the week.

Introduction to all 7 cases i.e. Nominative, Accusative, Instrumental, Dative, Ablative, Genitive and Locative cases and understanding the sentence formation using these cases.

Past tense or भूतकालः tells us about the action happened in past. Knowing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd person also in all 3 genders i.e. masculine, Feminine and neuter. Present tense are of two kinds Perasmepadi and Atmanepadi.

There are list of words ending in Akaranta, Ikaranta, Ukaranta and Rukaranta. We will be learning their declensions in all 7 vibhaktis.

Prefixes are known as upasargah (उपसर्ग:). The work of prefixes is to modify or change the meaning of root. Roots are the most basic forms of all words in Sanskrit. The small groups of sounds that we add to beginning of something is called Prefixes.

A group of sounds that we add at end of something are called Suffixes. They are also known as Pratyayah.

A gerund is an indeclinable verb form that is translated as 'having VERBed' or 'after VERBing'. It always leads up to a main verb and indicates an action that occurs before the main verb. A gerund is formed by adding the suffix त्वा/इत्वा or य directly onto the verbal root.

The tva rule: त्वान्त – Root + त्वा suffix / इत्वा (occasionally). E.g. पठ् + त्वा = पठित्वा | भाष् + त्वा = भाषित्वा | नी + त्वा = नीत्वा | कृ + त्वा = कृत्वा

ल्यबन्त = ल्यप् (य) + अन्त = Prefix + root + ल्यप् (य). This suffix ल्यप् (य) cannot be added to root alone. There must be a prefix. E.g. सम् + पूज् + ल्यप् (य) = सम्पूज्य | आ + गम् + ल्यप् (य) = आगम्य / आगत्य

Tumanta gerund conveys the senses: 1) in order to and 2) for the sake of. तुमन्त (infinitive) + verb अर्ह् = request / wish. E.g. बालकःपाठशालांगन्तुम्अर्हति | The boy can go to school.

Another indeclinable verb form is the infinitive. It is translated as 'to VERB'. It is usually connected to another verb indicating Desire, Capability, or Purpose. The infinitive is formed by adding the suffix तुम्/इतुम् directly onto the root.

Future tense or भविष्यकलः tells about the event which will happen in future.

The Optative mode (also called the Potential) or mood is called लिङ् (liṅ) by Sanskrit grammarians. Though the primary use is for expressing a wish, it is used in various other contexts like light order, invitation, giving permission etc.

The Imperative mode or mood is called loṭ लोट् by Sanskrit grammarians. The primary use of the imperative is a command or injunction. It is also used in many other senses like entreaty, gentle advice, benediction etc.

Revision and an overview of all the concepts covered in brief.

How progress is measured

Small batches mean every student's work is actually seen. Nothing here is automated. Ms. Parikh marks it herself.

What How often What it checks
Reading aloud Weekly Pronunciation and script fluency
Written worksheet Weekly Declension, conjugation, sandhi
Module test End of each module (5 in all) Retention and application
Translation task Weekly from Module 4 Applied grammar
Final assessment Week 18 Reading, writing, translation and speaking
Written report End of course Where you stand, and readiness for Intermediate

What it costs

One price per 60-minute session. It comes down as the group grows.

3 modules of 12 sessions · 36 sessions in total

On your own
One to one, built around you
₹399
$15 outside India
per session
Two or three of you
Learn with friends or family
₹250
$12 outside India
per session, each
Best value
A group of four or more
Our small batch, capped at ten
₹190
$9 outside India
per session, each
Your first class is free. A real lesson with Ms. Parikh, not a sales call. Nothing is paid until you have taken it and decided to carry on.

Every session is 60 minutes, live, and recorded for you. Worksheets, marked work and a certificate of completion are included. How often you meet is arranged with you, around your timetable and ours.

Book the free class Ask a question

Frequently asked questions

No prior knowledge of Sanskrit is required. The Beginners Course is designed for complete beginners and starts from the very basics, including Varnamala (Sanskrit alphabet) and pronunciation.

The Sanskrit Beginners Course is a 36-hour course spread over about 4 months, with 2 hours of live online class per week from expert tutor Ms. Ishita Parikh.

Classes are conducted live online via video conferencing with expert tutor Ms. Ishita Parikh. Recorded sessions are also provided so students can revise at their own pace.

You will learn Devanagari script (Varnamala), Sanskrit grammar basics, pronouns, present, past and future tenses, Vibhakti declensions, prefixes, suffixes, gerunds, infinitives, and basic Sanskrit sentence formation.

Yes, a certificate of completion is awarded upon successfully finishing the Sanskrit Beginners Course at Sanskrit Shiksha.

Further reading

Your first 20 Sanskrit words

You already know more Sanskrit than you think. Twenty words, and how the language is built.

A beginner’s guide to learning Sanskrit

The Devanagari script, the first steps that matter, and how to choose a course.

What is Sanskrit?

Why it is called the most scientific language, and how it connects to Hindi and the languages spoken today.

Also taught by Ms. Parikh

Learning Sanskrit makes Hindi easier, and the reverse is true too, much of Hindi school grammar is Sanskrit underneath. Taking a second subject? The second subject’s sessions are 15% off.

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