Sanskrit Training: Educational Goals and Contents

Sanskrit – the language of the Vedas
Although thousands of years old, Sanskrit still retains its relevance and liveliness. The gateway to all traditional Indian arts and sciences was, and still is, the study of fundamental Sanskrit writings. Distance learning in Sanskrit allows you to widely open this door. For example, if you want to get deeper into Vasati, astrology, Ayurveda, yoga or Vedic spirituality, a basic knowledge of Sanskrit is a welcome foundation.

The word “Sanskrit” means “refined” or “decorated”. The name is to be understood in such a way that Sanskrit is a refined form of language that does not primarily describe the material realities but provides insight into the secrets of the Vedic spiritual world.

According to the Vedas, sound is the origin of the creation of this universe. The original sound in the form of a single syllable, whose simplicity carries the power of all creation. This syllable is called Pranava, the life force of the universe and consists of the three letters a, u and m.

Sound and meaning are much more closely connected in Sanskrit than in other languages, so that each word – even without understanding it – has a direct effect on the consciousness of the listener. This unity of meaning and sound is called Shabda in Sanskrit.

Structure of the course
First we learn the Sanskrit script, Devanagari. In addition, you will receive numerous exercises and text examples. You will then work with popular Sanskrit verses and their word-for-word translation. This will help you to consolidate your understanding of grammar and develop your first small vocabulary. You will learn the correct pronunciation and compliance with the various verse meters.