Sanskrit Language

What language is Sanskrit?

Sanskrit is an ancient and classical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It was used as a means of communication and dialogue by the Hindu celestial Gods, and then by the Indo-Aryans. The first-ever book of the world Rigveda was also compiled in Sanskrit language. 

Sanskrit is derived from two words ‘Sam’ and ‘Krit’ which means ‘entirely’ and ‘done’ respectively. Hence, Sanskrit indicates a language that is perfectly or completely developed to express an emotion through communication, reading, and hearing. Though it is no longer a spoken language in everyday life because to its complexity and large vocabulary, it is nonetheless frequently used today for religious, scholarly, and literary purposes.

Read more about Sanskrit Alphabet and Sanskrit Numbers

History of the Sanskrit Language

The history of the Sanskrit language spans several distinct periods, each contributing to its development and evolution. Let’s explore these periods:

• Vedic Sanskrit (1500 BCE – 500 BCE):
  • Characteristics: Originating from the Vedic texts, Vedic Sanskrit is the earliest form of the language. It was primarily used for religious hymns and rituals.
  • Key Texts: Rig Veda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda.
• Classical Sanskrit (500 BCE – 200 CE):
  • Characteristics: During this period, Sanskrit underwent refinement and standardization. It became the language of classical literature, encompassing epics, dramas, poetry, and scientific treatises.
  • Key Texts: Mahabharata, Ramayana, works of Kalidasa, Panini’s grammar treatise.
• Post-Classical Sanskrit (200 CE – 1200 CE):
  • Characteristics: This era saw the continuation of classical Sanskrit literature. However, regional variations and the emergence of Prakrit languages began to influence Sanskrit.
  • Key Texts: Sanskrit dramas, Puranas, philosophical treatises.
• Medieval Sanskrit (1200 CE – 1800 CE):
  • Characteristics: Sanskrit faced a decline in everyday usage as regional languages gained prominence. However, it continued to be the language of scholarship and religious texts.
  • Key Texts: Bhakti and devotional literature, commentaries on classical texts.
• Colonial Era (1800 CE – 1947 CE):
  • Characteristics: Interest in Sanskrit waned temporarily during the colonial period. European scholars played a crucial role in translating Sanskrit texts into European languages.
  • Key Developments: Compilation of Sanskrit dictionaries and grammars by European scholars.
• Post-Independence Revival (1947 CE – Present):
  • Characteristics: After India gained independence, there was a renewed interest in Sanskrit. The language is now preserved and promoted in educational institutions.
  • Key Developments: Continued academic study, preservation of classical texts, efforts to revive interest in Sanskrit.

Throughout these periods, Sanskrit has maintained its importance in religious, literary, and scholarly contexts. While it is no longer a spoken language in everyday life, it remains a significant part of India’s cultural and linguistic heritage. Efforts are ongoing to preserve and promote the study of Sanskrit in various academic and cultural spheres.

Interesting Facts about Sanskrit Language

1. Sanskrit is the world’s oldest language.
2. Uttarakhand, an Indian state, has Sanskrit as its second official language.
3. Sanskrit is considered to be the mother of all languages.
4. Sanskrit is the language that has the most vocabulary.
5. The most computer-friendly language is Sanskrit.
6. The Sanskrit language has been found beneficial for speech therapy, focus, and learning mathematics and science.
7. Germany is struggling to meet the demand for people who wish to learn Sanskrit.
8. Seventeen countries have at least one university where students can study Sanskrit.
9. Sudharma is the world’s single Sanskrit newspaper.
10. Many English words have their origins in the Sanskrit language.
11. Speaking Sanskrit allows you to communicate with less words.

Sanskrit Speaking Countries

Sanskrit is not widely spoken as a native language today. It is considered a classical language and is used mainly for religious and scholarly purposes. It is still spoken by a small number of people in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Here is a table summarizing the number of Sanskrit speakers in different countries:

Country	Number of speakers
India	20,000
Nepal	10,000
Bangladesh	5,000
Sri Lanka	1,000
Europe	1,000
North America	1,000

Sanskrit is the language of the ancient Indian scriptures, including the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. It is also the language of classical Indian philosophy, literature, and art.

Sanskrit is a very complex and sophisticated language and is considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn. However, it is also a very beautiful and expressive language and is worth learning for its cultural and historical significance.

Different Dialects of Sanskrit Language

Sanskrit Dialect	Regions	Characteristics
Vedic Sanskrit	Ancient India	Language of the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts.
Classical Sanskrit	Pan-Indian, especially during the Gupta period	Standardized by Panini, influencing grammar and vocabulary.
Epic Sanskrit	Used in epic poetry (e.g., Mahabharata, Ramayana)	Characteristic of the Sanskrit epics.
Purana Sanskrit	Found in Puranas (e.g., Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana)	Adapted for religious and mythological texts.
Kavya Sanskrit	Classical poetry	Ornate and stylized language used in classical poetry.
Champu Sanskrit	Mixture of prose and verse	Utilized in narrative compositions.
Bhasha Sanskrit	Regional adaptations	Evolved into regional languages while retaining Sanskrit base.
Paninian Sanskrit	Strict adherence to Panini’s grammar rules	Emphasizes grammatical precision following Panini’s rules.
Apabhramsa Sanskrit	Transitional language	Serves as a bridge between classical Sanskrit and early vernaculars.
Marga Sanskrit	Literary or high Sanskrit	Distinguished from Desi Sanskrit (colloquial Sanskrit).

How to Learn Sanskrit Fast?

To learn Sanskrit quickly, practice with the fundamental Sanskrit vocabulary available on our ToolsNepal blogs. You can begin by learning the Sanskrit alphabet, numbers, and important words. Then move on to common phrases, create sentences, and improve your written and spoken skills. Once you’ve got the basics, you can use our Sanskrit translation tool, Sanskrit typing tool, and Sanskrit Keyboard for extra practice.