Traditionally, Sanskrit is the language in which the means of knowledge to freedom, Vedanta, was revealed and transmitted. These days, this also happens in other languages, particularly English. Some teachers use more Sanskrit terms than others.
During Satsangs, I’ve heard from fellow students that Sanskrit is sometimes difficult to follow. Perhaps you experience this too? Perhaps you’d like to better understand certain mantras? Or perhaps you simply want to delve into the unique dynamics of this language? Then you are very welcome to attend this course, “Sanskrit for Vedanta.”
In addition to lessons with my Vedanta teachers, I study Sanskrit at the India Institute and the School for Practical Philosophy. The first course was academic, the second more traditional Vedic, including some instruction in the structure of Panini’s famous grammar. They complemented each other beautifully. In addition, I’ve studied many commentaries by Swamis like Dayananda and Paramarthananda, which has led to a growing number of articles on Vedanta concepts on this website. All in all, I’d been toying with the idea for a method for learning Sanskrit using the typical Vedanta language.
Coincidentally, my teachers at the School for Practical Philosophy asked me to teach four introductory lessons for the Summer School last May-June. There, I was able to develop and test the method.
I think we’ve hit on a good formula. Many people are put off by the complexity of Sanskrit. Most Sanskrit courses begin classically, learning sequences and diagrams. I’ve often seen that only 20% of the students who start courses survive. Although we can’t avoid grammatical rules and case endings, I thought: “Surely there’s another way,” I thought. Let’s learn Sanskrit using the knowledge base of Vedanta, with examples from the scriptures. I want to teach you the basics of Sanskrit’s famous, unique structure and script, using words you may already know. But we will, of course, learn plenty of new words. This way, you’ll develop your Vedantic vocabulary in a playful way. You’ll learn correct pronunciation, the script, and how concepts and famous phrases are constructed. We’ll learn the basics of grammar, primarily through famous sayings.
Is all of this necessary for true self-knowledge? Yes and no. If you want to make optimal use of Vedantic teachings, some familiarity with the jargon is helpful. It helps to be able to listen carefully to the guru. And it refines your knowledge. In the beginning, just as in satsang, I started with the principle of shravana, listening. Gradually, I allowed the students to participate more and emphasized the necessity of some dedication in the study. There was also occasional opportunity for contemplation together. For me, Sanskrit is simply a wonderful hobby, a pleasant enrichment, part of the game of life, and finally: it continually offers tools, pointers, reminders of the wonderful knowledge, or can point out nuances where I might be stuck in my practice of blissful self-knowledge.
For many people, learning Sanskrit is somewhat dry and boring. That’s why I want to make these lessons accessible and inspiring. What better way to do this than through meaning and knowledge?
It’s never about the words. Ultimately, it’s not even about meaning. It’s about what makes meaning possible. Yet we need meaning to recognize this within ourselves. Moreover, the unique layering of Sanskrit words is unparalleled. Words often have a literal and an intended, hidden meaning. We’ll play with that.
Meaning emerges from the seed forms of the language.
An example:
Let’s take the word Sanskrit itself, saṃskṛta in Sanskrit :). It comes from the seed form kṛ, meaning “to make or do.” Kṛta means “made.” Sam means “together, full, whole.” Saṃskṛta: well-composed, perfect, and refined. This is no coincidence. All words are expressions of the one truth, brahman (consciousness).
Fortunately, there are forms of expression; otherwise, we would have nothing to love. Who or what has put everything so well together? Well, kṛta means “made” as well as “done.” Brahman is called īśvara (the divine) if we look at the forms of expression. Īś means “to rule or regulate,” vara means “superb or blissful.” Īśvara: “That which regulates everything superbly, if you dare to recognize it, or God. We live in God’s dharma, so I might as well conform to it.”
The pronunciation and phonetics of Sanskrit are also very precise. Right from the first lesson, you’ll learn something about your own speech organ and where letters are pronounced in your mouth. It’s made me aware of my speech, and I’ve improved my articulation.
No prior knowledge of Sanskrit is required for this course. It is intended to accommodate self-inquirers according to the Vedanta method.
All videos for this course are available here. Below each video is a link to the PDF of the lesson sheet. If you’re interested and willing to study the videos and sheets, you can register by email at simon@vedanta.nl. We’ll then briefly get to know each other by email, and I can send you all nine lesson sheets at once. The Zoom link will also be available in due course. What does dedication entail in this context? The students so far have attended and studied the lessons. The two-and-a-half-month break we’re currently taking is being spent on self-study. This means that you, as a new student, would complete the series of nine lessons twice on your own.
Part II begins Thursday, March 5th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM every other week. There are also lessons in Dutch on Tuesdays from 19:00 to 20:00. For more information, a mantra sheet we have been using so far, and lesson videos and lesson sheets, see:
