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Sanskrit
Language Texts
A
list of the best books for learning Sanskrit.
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| Reprinted
with permission from Columbia University's Inventory
of Language Materials. For more information about
the source of this document, see
below. |
1. INTRODUCTORY GRAMMARS AND READERS
Author
Aklujkar,
Ashok |
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Title
Sanskrit:
An Easy Introduction to an Enchanting Language
(& five tapes). (1992.) |
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Source
Svadhyaya
Publications, 5346 Opal Place, Richmond, B.C.,
Canada V7C 5B4. Phone 604-274-5353. |
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Comment
An
unusually comprehensive four-volume introductory
grammar intended for an enriched two- year course
of study; contains features of a reference grammar;
many subtleties and much new material not found
elsewhere. Volume One, Part A is a romanized 192-page
manual of pronunciation, script and grammar divided
into 36 lessons. Volume One, Part B, in 148 pages,
using both Devanagari and Roman scripts, contains
25 appendices many of which, e.g., "Principal Forms
of Common Verbs," are extremely useful; there is
also an index to grammatical discussions. Volume
Two consists of 142 pages of serial and cumulative
Sanskrit-English glossaries as well as an English-Sanskrit
glossary. Volume Three contains readings and exercises
(no key) in Devanagari script to accompany the grammar
chapters of Volume One. There are five audio cassette
tapes. Introduction of charming gnomic verse balances
rigorous exposition of grammar. Carefully incremental
and clear; self instruction feasible. "Real" Sanskrit
presented by a scholar to the tradition born. Highly
recommended. |
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Author
Coulson,
Michael. |
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Title
Sanskrit:
An Introduction to the Classical Language.
(2nd ed. 1992; orig. ed. 1976.) |
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Source
NTC
Publishing Group, Chicago. Widely available.
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Comment
A
welcome and graceful supplement to more systematic
introductory grammars. Valuable for students interested
in Sanskrit literature because examples are taken
from dramatic prose, and because it contains a brief
but illuminating explanation of literary commentary.
Its 493 pages include excellent treatment of individual
grammar topics, especially compounds; romanization
for grammar presentation; its Sanskrit-English,
English-Sanskrit translation exercises (with key)
use Devanagari script. Serial and cumulative Sanskrit-English
glossaries; cumulative English-Sanskrit glossary;
index added in later edition. Coulson's style is
drily entertaining. Though a Teach Yourself Book,
it is better used with an instructor, if this is
your principal text. Recommended. |
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Author
Goldman,
Robert P., and Sally J. Sutherland.
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Title
Devavanipravesika:
An Introduction to the Sanskrit Language (&
tapes?). (1987.) |
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Source
The
Centers for South and Southeast Asian Studies,
Publications Program, 2223 Fulton Street,
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley,
CA 94720. Phone 510-642-4065. |
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Comment
Concise,
focused and thorough introductory grammar in 460
pages; geared to covering all the basic grammar
in one year of intensive study. Ideal for good language
learners who want to progress rapidly. Uses Devanagari
script from the beginning, with transliteration
support until chapter 11. Overview emerges quickly
because of the sequence of material and because
major grammatical topics are completed in a single
section or chapter rather than in widely separated
chapters; material within sections is well organized.
There are 22 lessons with readings and exercises
(no key); serial and cumulative Sanskrit- English
glossaries; serial English-Sanskrit glossaries;
no index. The introduction of Sanskrit grammatical
terminology with separate glossary helps prepare
for reading of commentarial Sanskrit. Intended for
classroom instruction but can be used by a good
student working alone. Although the integration
of sandhi into the presentations and exercises early
in the book is an advantage, the sandhi chapter
is unclear and confusing; substitution of other
material is recommended for this chapter (see A.
A. Macdonell, reference grammar section). Audio
cassette tapes are available. Highly recommended.
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Author
Gonda,
Jan. |
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Title
A
Concise Elementary Grammar of the Sanskrit
Language. (1968). |
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Source
University
of Alabama Press. |
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Comment
This
152-page primer is an extremely basic outline of
the language designed for those who prefer succinct
treatment of grammar without cultural material.
After a very brief presentation of Devanagari script,
Roman script is used throughout. A section at the
end contains 20 Sanskrit-English translation exercises
(no key) and 13 reading passages with few explanatory
notes but a good cumulative Sanskrit-English glossary.
There is no index. |
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Author
Hart,
George L., III. |
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Title
Sulabha
Samskrtam: A Rapid Sanskrit Method. (reprint
ed. 1984; orig. ed. 1972.) |
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Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar,
Delhi 110007. In the US: South Asia Books,
P.O. Box 502, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124.
Also sold by: Center for South Asia, Univ.
of Wisconsin at Madison, 203 Ingraham Hall,
1155 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
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Comment
An
introductory grammar containing 220 pages with 30
sets of Sanskrit-English and English-Sanskrit translation
exercises (no key); Sanskrit-English serial and
cumulative glossaries; English-Sanskrit cumulative
glossary; no index. While there is a good section
on the writing of Devanagari script, roman script
is used throughout (except for reading passages,
a few selected paradigms and glossary entries).
Presupposes classical categories with no attempt
to use Sanskrit grammatical terms. The presentation
of grammar, though sometimes insightful, is not
particularly systematic nor are the explanations
especially clear. Should be used with an instructor.
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Author
Lanman,
Charles Rockwell. |
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Title
A
Sanskrit Reader. (reprint ed. 1983; orig.
ed. 1884.) |
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Source
India:
Sri Satguru Publications, 40/5, Shakti Nagar,
Delhi 110007. In the US: South Asia Books,
P.O. Box 502, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124.
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Comment
A
405-page reader with 106 pages of Devanagari text
from Vedic, epic, didactic and story literature,
and from works on ritual and law. Although flawed
by its orientalist lack of both sympathy for, and
intimate knowledge of, the culture which gave rise
to these texts, it is currently the only Sanskrit
reader of its caliber. Its advantages lie in the
diversity of the readings, clear printing, breaking
of sandhi for the initial reading selection, readings
which are extremely well supported by a glossary
(with Indo-European cognates) and introductory notes,
and references to relevant paragraphs in Whitney's
Sanskrit Grammar. |
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Author
Macdonell,
Arthur Anthony. |
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Title
A
Vedic Reader For Students. (reprint ed. 1992;
orig. ed. 1917.) |
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Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar,
Delhi 110007. In the US: South Asia Books,
P.O. Box 502, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124.
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Comment
A
263-page reader containing Devanagari text, transliteration
and translation of thirty Rgvedic hymns, with exhaustive
introductory and grammatical notes for each hymn.
It has, in addition, an excellent glossary (with
Indo-European cognates) and index. The best place
to begin a study of Vedic language; may be used
in conjunction with Macdonell's Vedic reference
grammar (see reference grammar section).
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Author
Maurer,
Walter Harding. |
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Title
The
Sanskrit Language: An Introductory Grammar
and Reader. (1995.) |
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Source
Curzon
Press, London. |
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Comment
A
methodical, comprehensive introductory grammar/reader
intended for a two-year study of both language and
culture; especially good for students with little
training in grammar. Volume One is a 551-page instruction
manual containing 32 lessons, each with Sanskrit-English
and English-Sanskrit translation exercises (no key).
The exercises are accompanied by extensive notes
and serial Sanskrit- English glossaries. The readings
feature diverse cultural material. Very good treatment
of Sanskrit pronunciation, with diagrams of the
vocal tract; one of the best presentations of Devanagari
script. Devanagari is used in readings, paradigms
and grammar discussions. Unique features include
an explanation of early Indian calendars and a detailed
linguistic treatment of Sanskrit and the Indo-European
family of languages. Volume Two consists of 278
pages of appendices and English-Sanskrit, Sanskrit-English
cumulative glossaries. The sequence of topics is
somewhat arbitrary; delayed introduction of sandhi
and the dual number may be problematic for quick
students. Well suited to self-instruction because
it anticipates the difficulties of beginners. There
is no index. Hardbound; beautifully typeset. Highly
recommended. |
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Author
Perry, Edward D. |
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Title
A Sanskrit Primer. (reprint ed. 1993; orig.
ed. 1885.) |
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Source
Motilal Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar
Nagar, Delhi 110007. In the US: South Asia
Books, P.O. Box 502, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone
314-474-8124. |
|
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Comment
A
methodical, comprehensive introductory grammar/reader
intended for a two-year study of both language and
culture; especially good for students with little
training in grammar. Volume One is a 551-page instruction
manual containing 32 lessons, each with Sanskrit-English
and English-Sanskrit translation exercises (no key).
The exercises are accompanied by extensive notes
and serial Sanskrit- English glossaries. The readings
feature diverse cultural material. Very good treatment
of Sanskrit pronunciation, with diagrams of the
vocal tract; one of the best presentations of Devanagari
script. Devanagari is used in readings, paradigms
and grammar discussions. Unique features include
an explanation of early Indian calendars and a detailed
linguistic treatment of Sanskrit and the Indo-European
family of languages. Volume Two consists of 278
pages of appendices and English-Sanskrit, Sanskrit-English
cumulative glossaries. The sequence of topics is
somewhat arbitrary; delayed introduction of sandhi
and the dual number may be problematic for quick
students. Well suited to self-instruction because
it anticipates the difficulties of beginners. There
is no index. Hardbound; beautifully typeset. Highly
recommended. |
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Author
Wikner,
Charles |
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Title
"An
introductory course to the Sanskrit language"
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Source
Available
by anonymous ftp from: ftp.nac.ac.za/wikner/
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Comment
"It
is a 155-page 600-dpi Postscript file suitable for
double-sided printing on a4 or letter-size paper.
(The a4 paper version prints happily on an HPLJ4+
with duplex option; the adjusted margins for the
letter paper version are estimates only -- perhaps
someone will inform me of errors?) To give an idea
of what is covered in this course, an ASCII version
of the Preface and Contents pages are appended:
sktintro.ps600-a4paper-june96 (9206k)
sktintro.ps600-a4paper-june96-zip (980k)
sktintro.ps600-letter-june96 (9207k)
sktintro.ps600-letter-june96-zip (981k)
For the two "-zip" files, remember to set TYPE to
BINARY. Enjoy!" (--Author). |
2. REFERENCE GRAMMARS
Author
Bucknell,
Roderick S. |
Title
Sanskrit
Manual. (1994.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Kale,
Moreshwar Ramchandra. |
Title
A
Higher Sanskrit Grammar. (reprint ed. 1988; orig.
ed. 1931.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. . |
Author
Leidecker,
Kurt F. |
Title
Sanskrit:
Essentials of Grammar and Language. (1976.) |
Source
Adyar
Library and Research Center, Madras 600 020. In
the US: The Theosophical Publishing House, P. O.
Box 270, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. |
Author
Macdonell,
Arthur Anthony. |
Title
A
Sanskrit Grammar for Students. (reprint ed. 1993;
3rd ed. 1927.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Macdonell,
Arthur Anthony. |
Title
A
Vedic Grammar for Students. (reprint ed. 1993; orig.
ed. 1916.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Speijer, J. S. |
Title
Sanskrit Syntax. (reprint ed. 1993; orig. ed. 1886.)
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Source
Motilal Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar,
Delhi 110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O.
Box 502, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124.
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Author
Whitney,
William Dwight. |
Title
The Roots Verb-Forms and Primary Derivatives of
the Sanskrit Language. (reprint ed.; orig. ed. 1885.) |
Source
Motilal Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar,
Delhi 110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O.
Box 502, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124.
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Author
Whitney,
William Dwight. |
Title
Sanskrit
Grammar. (reprint ed. 1994; 2nd ed. 1889.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
3.
DICTIONARIES, SANSKRIT-ENGLISH
Author
Apte,
Vaman Shivram. |
Title
The
Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary. (reprint
ed. 1993; 4th ed. 1965.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Apte,
Vaman Shivram. |
Title
The
Student's Sanskrit-English Dictionary. (reprint
ed. 1993; 2nd ed. 1970.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Benfey,
Theodor. |
Title
Sanskrit-English
Dictionary. (reprint ed. 1991; orig. ed. 1866.) |
Source
Asian
Educational Services, C 2/15 SDA, New Delhi 110016.
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Author
Macdonell,
Arthur Anthony. |
Title
A
Practical Sanskrit Dictionary. (reprint ed.; orig.
ed. 1954.) |
Source
Oxford
University Press. |
Author
Monier-Williams,
Monier. |
Title
A
Sanskrit-English Dictionary. (reprint ed. 1994;
1st ed. 1899.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Suryakanta.
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Title
A
Practical Vedic Dictionary. (1981.) |
Source
Oxford
University Press. |
4.
DICTIONARIES, ENGLISH-SANSKRIT
Author
Apte,
Vaman Shivram. |
Title
The
Student's English-Sanskrit Dictionary. (reprint
ed. 1993; 3rd ed. 1920.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
Author
Monier-Williams,
Monier |
Title
A
Dictionary, English and Sanskrit. (reprint ed.;
orig. ed. 1851.) |
Source
Motilal
Banarsidass, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi
110007. In the US: South Asia Books, P.O. Box 502,
Columbia, MO 65205. Phone 314-474-8124. |
| RELATED
READING ON THIS SITE |
Sanskrit
Our
reference page on the Sanskrit language. Includes
overview and links. |
| Reprinted
with permission from Columbia University's Inventory
of Language Materials. Original title: "Sanskrit
Teaching Materials." Guest editor for Sanskrit:
Nadine Berardi, Columbia University. General editor:
Frances Pritchett (fp7@columbia.edu
). Publishing supervisor: David Magier. Hard
copy publisher: Southern Asian Institute, Columbia
University. Year of publication: annual, with frequent
updates. May be copied or distributed without permission.
Comments and updates are welcomed by the editor.
For more information about this publication, click
here. |
| This
page was published on Realization.org on September 14, 2000
and last revised on November 6, 2001. |
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