SOAS LANGUAGE CENTRE

Sanskrit Elementary 2
Materials: Maurer, W. H. (2001) The Sanskrit Language: An Introductory Grammar and Reader
(Revised edition). London: Routledge.

Overview of course contents

Synopsis

Revision of Sanskrit Elementary 1

Consonant stems with three variants
The Churning of the Ocean (pp, 222-3; 233-4)
Compounds: Privative; dvandva
The future tense
The Churning of the Ocean (Contd)
Past active participles
The dual
More on pronouns
The past perfect tense
The Story of Sagara and His Sons (pp. 262-3)
The imperative mood
The Story of Sagara and His Sons (Contd)
Adjectives of direction
Noun Stems in -

Sanskrit Elementary 2 follows on from Sanskrit Elementary 1 and begins

with a revision of the important topic of consonant stems. This theme is then
concluded with examining the characteristics of stems with three variants.
Two mythological stories dominate the second term: The Churning of the
Ocean and The Story of Sagara and his Sons. Both are used to elucidate the
grammatical principles being taught, as well as to enlarge the students
vocabulary and ability to analyse complex sentences, clauses and sub-clauses.
A prominent and distinctive feature of the Sanskrit language is a separate
mechanism for describing the dual number, and this topic is explored in some
detail. The future, past perfect and imperative tenses are added to the
students repertoire of conjugation.
The course ends with an introduction to the non-thematic verb classes and
by revision and consolidation of the topics covered.