Devavanipravesika: An Introduction to the Sanskrit Language

by Robert P. Goldman; Sally J. Sutherland

The purpose, in writing this book, is to provide a self-contained primer, workbook and reader for teaching first year Sanskrit students with no previous linguistic training. The author has tried throughout the work to introduce, explain and illustrate the most significant features of the language and through verses, quotations, and readings.

To these ends the grammar has been, in several areas, simplified to prevent the beginner from being more hampered than is absolutely necessary by relatively insignificant paradigms, rules and exceptions.

Upon completion of this course, students should have a real working knowledge of the major outlines of Sanskrit sentences with some facility and read, with the help of dictionary, approximately five to ten verses of the Valmiki Ramayana or a similar text in an hour.

Genres: Language, Reference, Textbooks, Nonfiction, India

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Abhishek Menon]

Nothing reveals the bankruptcy of the once widely-held distinction of the rational west and the mystical east as clearly as a thorough and systematic study of Sanskrit.

[Tom]

Not a bad introductory textbook. The explanations are long and technical, while examples are relatively few (compared to Deshpande's Sanskrit Primer). Probably too difficult for self-study, but very nice when used along with a tutor or classroom practice.

He introduces sandhi early on, which seems impossibly challenging at first, but turns out to be very nice because one starts to get used to it right away. I also enjoyed the readings, which retell part of the story of the Rāmāyaṇa, culminating with a passage from the original text.

[Ansh]

by far the best sanskrit book, has the most detail. amazing if you love grammar.