Learning Sanskrit (Startup Samskrtam)
@pvaal2 (Source Twitter) + editsYou want to learn Samskritam. Dive deeper into Bharatiya culture and Dharma or just learn as a new language. You are busy. Can I learn Samskritam? YES – it is QUICK and it is EASY.
How long will it take? 6 months to become familiar. 1 year to read comfortably and follow conversations.
How can I Do It? There are multiple paths. I am going to share 7 different methods that are available to anyone across the world.
Your schedule is tought. You learn differently. Does NOT matter…
Learn Samskritam When You Want It, Where You Want It!
You will find the right approach that will work for you.
All you need is a “hunger to learn” and dedication. This is going to be far, far, easier than you expect
Ask anyone who has learnt Samskritam over the past 2-3 years – you will hear the same message ..
नैव क्लिष्टा न च कठिना (neither tough nor difficult)
Show me HOW ?
I will share 7 options to get started. Works across time, energy or money challenges.
1. Structured Course 2. Learning by Speaking 3. Learning via Shlokas 4. Text Books 5. Websites 6. eLearning Apps and Tutoring 7. Comics
1: Structured Course
If you prefer a structured program to know and become comfortable with Samskritam, a guided “course-like” program may be the right approach for you! This approach is actually the most popular and also has the maximum chance of success
Samskrita Bharati runs the most popular structured program in the world and is an excellent option. It is available in 30+ countries and accessible from anywhere in the world.
You CANNOT go wrong here!
Check out the Samskrita Bharati website
https://samskritabharati.in/correspondence
https://samskritabharatiusa.org/index.php
Samskrita Bharati has 4 course levels, with optional exams and certifications. Each course takes 6 months to complete and comes with (a) Text Book with lesson plan (b) YouTube videos for each lesson (c) Optional live Webinars for answering doubts.
The levels are (a) PraveshaH (b) ParichayaH (c) Shiksha and (d) Kovida. In 2 years you can complete the entire course. By the end of year 1 you will be able to read, write and understand spoken Samskritam. By year 2 you will be speaking….
Some of you may be starting to read Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita. All of you hopefully will be tweeting in Samskritam.
Samskrita Bharati Distance Learning Program is very effective for those who learn best within a structured program.
The exams are optional if you want to check progress. The lessons are well designed and interesting. This program is an excellent and smooth way to get started. The fees are also quite nominal
THUMBS UP....
There are nearly 400 videos that cover all the 4 courses.
Click links for the BEGINNER’S course (PraveshaH) and SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube channel.
HINDI medium: https://youtu.be/fuGNXKOVlHU
ENGLISH medium: https://youtu.be/cVN6u2Qe-Ws
For Nepali Medium Sanskrit Saarasee Youtube channel:
Many others are doing great work in introducing Samskritam to beginners.
VYOMA LABS - 10 Lesson course “Getting Started with Sanskrit for Free” https://sanskritfromhome.in/course/sanskrit-beginners-course
They have also special topics like vibhakti / Kridanta etc. that are outstanding! Kudos.
IT Kharagpur has 20 videos – An excellent introduction to Basic Samskritam. Check out https://youtu.be/NTfNiICq-Lc
Another good resource http://sanskrit.today/sanskrit-beginners-online-sanskrit-classes/
2: LEARNING BY SPEAKING
Kids learn a language by speaking – so can you!
Sanskrit Sansthan has 120+ videos that teach you by an easy “action method” and help you move from speaking simple to complex Samskritam sentences. Lession 1: https://youtu.be/wsVrV7ox60Q
Speaking method has many advantages – a natural learning style that is NOT via learning grammar first. You glide in smoothly and start understanding its rhythms and nuances. This is very effective and many people swear by this– you may soon be one of them!
3: Learn through Shlokas
If your primary motive is to learn the scriptures/Dharma, then this may be right for you. Bonus-you learn Samskritam also while diving deep into Bhagavad Gita or the Ramayana!
Check if this is the right way for you….
-Learning via Bhagavad Gita: Series of Structured YouTube Videos : https://youtu.be/V0nP2tI1s2A
-Learning via Ramayana: Self Learning with English translation https://valmiki.iitk.ac.in
The Gita series is explicitly designed to do both - teach Gita and Samskritam.
4: TEXT BOOKS
If text books are your thing, a slew of standard school text books/ specially written text books for self-learning are available.
Advantage includes a design that all of us are familiar with since childhood – no need to tell us how this works
Example: Sanskrit Svayam Shikshak by Shri. Satvalekar. This is in Hindi and is well designed.
Part 1 can be accessed here: https://archive.org/download/SanskritSvayamShikshakISatvalekar/Sanskrit%20Svayam%20Shikshak%20I%20-%20Satvalekar%20.pdf
Shri. Satvalekar Part 2 and 3 can be accessed here:
For Nepali Language Speakers, There is an excellent book called संस्कृतशिक्षाको रामबाण
The pdf version can be found in t.me/koiralasanskrit
Medha Michika's books "Enjoyable Sanskrit Grammar" series are excellent. Link: https://www.amazon.in/Medha-Michika/e/B012V4Y3YG?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000
Also, the pdf versions can be found in t.me/koiralasanskrit
Example: The FREE NCERT Samskritam text books + videos can be an excellent option. Class VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII available to everyone.
FLIPBook: http://epathshala.nic.in/e-pathshala-4/flipbook/
PDF: https://www.ncertbooks.guru/ncert-books-pdf/
Class VI onwards – PDF Files
VI: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UH6RZQeYVatQSB1IUGLTvIr4WdFRT6LU/view
VII: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oAEMpXhQa8X9JtFjthCdL8eiz-iqr-ZU/view
VIII: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hb4qFi
Free YouTube Videos of the NCERT Textbook Lessons: Online SamskrtTutotial:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dALt1f1JMVg
While many people may have nightmares learning a language from school text books, this can still be an effective and free method if you are up to it!
Free YouTube Videos of the NCERT Textbook Lessons: Online SamskrtTutotial:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dALt1f1JMVg
While many people may have nightmares learning a language from school text books, this can still be an effective and free method if you are up to it!
6: eLearning Apps and Tutoring
There are many eLearning apps for Samskritam. Many are either stand-alone apps or 1-1 tutoring services. Others can be combined with app and tutoring. The pricing varies by the level of service and hourly rate of tutors
LanguageCurry App by Language Curry is a very good start, and it is free.
https://www.languagecurry.com/
Example: App on Baasha platform by Samskrita Bharati Kerala on Google Play or iTunes
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.baashaa.samskritabharati.app&hl=en_US
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/samskrita-bharati-kerala/id1436270382
Example: Flash Card App
https://memrise.com/course/161814/sanskrit-for-beginners/
Both of the above Apps have designs features similar to the popular duolingo. While I am not a big fan of the memorizing approach, this may work well for others - at least in practicing the grammar !
Example: App as well as an eLearning program PLUS private TUTORS who will work with you.
Check out if these are better for you https://openpathshala.com or https://apnacourse.com/course/sanskrit-for-beginners
7: COMICS !
I have saved the best for the last! If you read comics during maths class, this is for you. Read Chandamama comics and learm Samskritam.
Now you really have NO EXCUSE to NOT Start learning Samskritam :-)
link https://archive.org/details/Chandamama_Sanskrit_1984/page/n0
As you can see, no matter where you are located, whatever your style of learning, there is a method that works for you.
The most popular ones are the structured courses. Learning by Speaking and Learning via Shlokas are also very popular and effective
Samskrita Bharati is by far the most widespread organization while there are many others who provide excellent options based on learning styles.
Learn Samskritam reading through simple stories
A set of simple sentence based story structure - multiple scripts available. Devanagari, Roman, multiple Pradeshika Lipis
Thumbs up
Kudos @amarahasabooks (twitter)
Check it out!
Pick one that works for you!
Another good Resource to learn
http://sanskrit.today/sanskrit-beginners-online-sanskrit-classes/
In 6 months you will be reading and writing Samskritam fluently.
Next year this time, you will be speaking Samskritam and tweeting
So what are you waiting for?
It is easy and simple. Get moving and #StartupSamskritam !
वदतु संस्कृतम् । जयतु संस्कृतम्