Introduction

We all know that “studying online” is one of the best ways to LEARN SOMETHING — not only a language or an accent, but also in different ways such as solving math problems, cooking, dancing, or even fixing your gadgets. Thanks to the innovation of technology, you can learn Sanskrit online, too!

The Sanskrit language is a classical language of South Asia belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late Bronze Age. Sanskrit is the sacred language of Hinduism, the language of classical Hindu philosophy, and of historical texts of Buddhism and Jainism. It was a link language in ancient and medieval South Asia, and upon transmission of Hindu and Buddhist culture to Southeast Asia, East Asia and Central Asia in the early medieval era, it became a language of religion and high culture, and of the political elites in some of these regions. As a result, Sanskrit had a lasting impact on the languages of South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, especially in their formal and learned vocabularies.

Further we will discuss free online lessons for learning sanskrit.

1. Learn Sanskrit Online

The website was founded by Vidyadhar Bhat, who is a Sanskrit scholar and a teacher who taught Sanskrit for several years in schools and traditional gurukula. Today, Learn Sanskrit Online is managed by a growing team whose goal is to continue developing the website to teach learners using the most convenient ways. Currently, the website continues to release new lessons and improve the platform.

There are free lessons available on the website, as well as paid one-on-one classes via Skype. The lessons are suitable for beginners up to advanced learners. To make the most out of it, first, try the free lessons offered on the platform.

2. Open Pathshala

Keeping the motto of “your best source to learn Sanskrit,” Open Pathshala is an e-learning platform for learning Sanskrit, Hindi, English, and other regional languages across India. The platform is popular in India for having high-quality and online video tutorials, one-on-one Skype classes, and live group sessions. Aside from having language classes and video tutorials, the website also offers courses for learning about Indian culture.

 Their goal is to educate learners using the advancements of technology. Open Pathshala can be accessed through their website or by using their mobile application for the convenience of every learner around the world.

3. The Sanskrit Language – Guided Sanskrit Lessons

This website is intended to study along with the book “The Sanskrit Language” by author Walter Harding Maurer. The book is available worldwide and can even be bought on Amazon. This way of learning is great for self-studying at home with complete resources — this book and this website.

This website has a complete summary of each lesson of the book, answers to the exercises, as well as additional notes and tips. The most effective way to study side-by-side is to first read the lesson in the book and then read the lesson on the website. The website lets you understand more Sanskrit grammar. All you need to do is to buy that book and open this website.

4. ApnaCourse.com: Sanskrit for Beginners

ApnaCourse.com is a leading e-learning platform that provides on-demand online courses taught by top instructors. The company was founded in 2013 and had been growing successfully over the following years. The platform teaches not only language but also career courses in various fields such as Banking and Finance, Project and Ops Management, IT and Security, Sales and Marketing, Law, and many more. Among the languages taught on the platform is Sanskrit for Beginners. It offers a complete package of learning Sanskrit. It covers Alphabets, Pronunciation, Grammar, Sentence formation, Conversations, and all the basic lessons needed for beginners. This course is recommended for everyone — students or professionals.

5. Sanskrit Dictionary

According to the name itself, Sanskrit Dictionary, this website will ONLY act as your “online dictionary” when learning Sanskrit. Although there are no courses offered on this website, it’s still useful for you to learn new words and vocabulary which you haven’t encountered from other websites or platforms.

 One amazing thing about learning in this online dictionary is that you can “always study” wherever you are. For example, while you were on the bus, you can check out this website and put some words you know into the Sanskrit translation. This is an effective way to add more Sanskrit vocabulary.