Introduction to Sanskrit, Part 2

by Thomas Egenes

This book in two volumes, is designed to open the door to india's rich spiritual literature. This self teaching guide presents Sanskrit pronunciation, grammar and vocabylary in simple and systematic steps, allowing students to easily master the fundamentals of this enchanting language. Each lesson includes instructions in alphabet, grammar and vacabulary, with concise explanationss and easy practice exercises. Also included in part one is a reading from the Bhagavad Gita, and Sanskrit quotations from the Rk Samhita, Upanishads, Yoga Sutras, Brahma Sutra and Manu Smrti. Part two uses verses from the Bhagavad Gita to teach principles of Grammar and includes additional essays on Sanskrit pronunciation and grammar.

Genres: Language

819 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The learning curve makes a gradual ascent about half-way through Part 1, and it continues exponentially in Part 2, but Egenes doesn't make Sanskrit more difficult than it needs to be. Lots of memorization is required, but the exercises are carefully designed to review previous material so that declensions and conjugations and vocabulary aren't easily forgotten. Each chapter begins with a sloka from the Bhagavad Gita, in which is contained the germ of the lesson to follow. It's an elegant and beautiful way to demonstrate the principles of the language.

Unfortunately I had to put this volume down for a couple months when other things came up and now I need to go back and re-review, but the wonderful thing about this Introduction is that it has given me the confidence to do just that. Of all the language books I've read over the years, Introduction to Sanskrit is the best. It hasn't made it any easier, but it has made this beautiful and complex language more approachable.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second part of Thomas Egenes's "Introduction to Sanskrit" even more than the first. Each chapter begins with a verse from the Bhagavad Gita. You then memorize the vocabulary that appears in that verse, and study the grammatical concepts that appear therein. Thus by the end of the chapter you're able to return to the verse and read it again with much better comprehension. It's very satisfying.

I have to say, though, even having completed this series, I am daunted when I look at an actual Sanskrit text. It's not just the complicated writing and spelling system (sandhi), or the dozens of declensions you have to memorize—sometimes the content itself is quite abstruse. A sample translation might be, "The man who does not cling to objects of the senses, his mind is established in yoga." Ok, I've got the words, but what the heck does that mean?

I think my next step will be to try to read the Bhagavad Gita in a book with both the Sanskrit and English. I'm hoping it will help me gain confidence in my reading skills, and elucidate what this text is really about.

But, long story short, if you're looking to learn Sanskrit, I think Egenes's "Introduction to Sanskrit, Parts 1 and 2" is the way to go.