This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit texts unadapted. The aim of the course is to cover a variety of genres of Sanskrit literature - hymns, epic, philosophy, history and drama - in order to give students a good grounding in a wide range of texts.
What will we cover?
We will read directly from texts like the Veda, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. We will discuss specific topics in grammar as we come upon them, and also practice translating English sentences into Sanskrit, and writing in Devanagari. Details of the resources used in this course can be found here.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
read Sanskrit literature with greater confidence;
enjoy a deeper understanding of Sanskrit grammar and a wider vocabulary;
enjoy a deeper insight into ancient Indian history and culture.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You will need a reasonable grasp of the Sanskrit language, though the group will welcome different levels of expertise and experience.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Students will prepare passages in advance of class and then we we will read and translate together.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Vaughan Pilikian is an artist, writer and teacher. He has degrees in Classics, Sanskrit and Assyriology.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
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Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-30 00:00:00<p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit texts unadapted. The aim of the course is to cover a variety of genres of Sanskrit literature - hymns, epic, philosophy, history and drama - in order to give students a good grounding in a wide range of texts.</p><p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.</p><p>We will read directly from texts like the Veda, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. We will discuss specific topics in grammar as we come upon them, and also practice translating English sentences into Sanskrit, and writing in Devanagari. <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textbooks-for-classical-languages-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Details of the resources used in this course can be found here</a>.</p><ul><li>read Sanskrit literature with greater confidence;</li><li>enjoy a deeper understanding of Sanskrit grammar and a wider vocabulary;</li><li>enjoy a deeper insight into ancient Indian history and culture.</li></ul><p>You will need a reasonable grasp of the Sanskrit language, though the group will welcome different levels of expertise and experience.</p>Students will prepare passages in advance of class and then we we will read and translate together.<p>Bring writing material. <br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textbooks-for-classical-languages-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Details of the resources used in this course can be found here</a>.</p><p>You can continue with new texts in the subsequent sessions of the Sanskrit Reading Group.</p>Ancient languagesSanskritvirtual3078313Sanskrit reading group239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/a/sanskrit_reading_rs317-1080_8_4.jpgInStockDaytimeWedOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-13T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedJan 2027LanguagesRS182239239Sanskrit reading group191155239Vaughan Pilikiansanskrit-reading-group/rs182-2627<p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-13 00:00:00<p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit texts unadapted. The aim of the course is to cover a variety of genres of Sanskrit literature - hymns, epic, philosophy, history and drama - in order to give students a good grounding in a wide range of texts.</p><p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.</p><p>We will read directly from texts like the Veda, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. We will discuss specific topics in grammar as we come upon them, and also practice translating English sentences into Sanskrit, and writing in Devanagari. <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textbooks-for-classical-languages-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Details of the resources used in this course can be found here</a>.</p><ul><li>read Sanskrit literature with greater confidence;</li><li>enjoy a deeper understanding of Sanskrit grammar and a wider vocabulary;</li><li>enjoy a deeper insight into ancient Indian history and culture.</li></ul><p>You will need a reasonable grasp of the Sanskrit language, though the group will welcome different levels of expertise and experience.</p>Students will prepare passages in advance of class and then we we will read and translate together.<p>Bring writing material. <br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textbooks-for-classical-languages-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Details of the resources used in this course can be found here</a>.</p><p>You can continue with new texts in the subsequent sessions of the Sanskrit Reading Group.</p>Ancient languagesSanskritvirtual191239155RS317,RS182NONEWed30/09/26 - 02/12/2617:00 - 18:3017:0018:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineVaughan PilikianAdvancedAvailable courses2026-09-30T00:00:00+00:00,2027-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026,Jan 2027Languages239239Sanskrit reading groupsanskrit-reading-group/rs317-2627,sanskrit-reading-group/rs182-2627<p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-30 00:00:00<p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit texts unadapted. The aim of the course is to cover a variety of genres of Sanskrit literature - hymns, epic, philosophy, history and drama - in order to give students a good grounding in a wide range of texts.</p><p>This is a course in the Sanskrit language based around the reading of Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, the wellspring of Hinduism and Buddhism.</p><p>We will read directly from texts like the Veda, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. We will discuss specific topics in grammar as we come upon them, and also practice translating English sentences into Sanskrit, and writing in Devanagari. <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textbooks-for-classical-languages-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Details of the resources used in this course can be found here</a>.</p><ul><li>read Sanskrit literature with greater confidence;</li><li>enjoy a deeper understanding of Sanskrit grammar and a wider vocabulary;</li><li>enjoy a deeper insight into ancient Indian history and culture.</li></ul><p>You will need a reasonable grasp of the Sanskrit language, though the group will welcome different levels of expertise and experience.</p>Students will prepare passages in advance of class and then we we will read and translate together.<p>Bring writing material. <br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textbooks-for-classical-languages-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Details of the resources used in this course can be found here</a>.</p><p>You can continue with new texts in the subsequent sessions of the Sanskrit Reading Group.</p>Ancient languagesSanskritconfigurable
