Customer Reviews

The Sanskrit Language: An Introductory Grammar and Reader. Revised Edition (2 Vol. Set)

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I have seen a few others and tried using one of them, but this set by Maurer is easily the best I have come across. The script is easy to read and the grammar is carefully presented to make it possible for the beginner to start using and enjoying the language immediately. Additionally, the second volume provides a historical overview of the language and other Indo-European tongues, all the conjugational and declensional paradigms, and a two-way dictionary for easy reference. It's expensive - the author sacrificed his royalties to force the publishers into a hardcover - but well worth the money.

I am halfway through the book and, as the author has promised, he has explained English grammar so well that I am finding my present study of other difficult languages much easier as a result of skimming through the grammar sections. The Sanskrit writing is beautifully printed and the author is doing a splendid job of making Sanskrit seem like a language which the intelligent and diligent learner " can " learn on her own. I still have a long way to go in my study of this language, but this book has made the learning of Sanskrit seem attainable and, I am almost afraid to say it, fun. These two books are well worth the price.

I love this book for its organization, its exercises, and its explanations. It makes learning Sanskrit easy, and is evidently a labor of love by it author.

In my opinion as a Sanskrit teacher there is simply no better text ever written. As other reviewers have noted the content, the high quality of the Devanagari font etc. make this a sine qua non for the beginning student. To Prof. Mauer I say: "Uttamam!"

This is by far the best book for learning Sanskrit. Every lesson has an excellent introduction to grammar and the notes always give a curious aspect of Indian culture, plus the texts are very well presented. I've tried dozens of manuals and am every day more grateful with Mr. Maurer. His explanations are always clear and charming. The only thing a solitary student may regret is that this manual has no key to the exersises. But if you work hard (which you always should do if you want to learn Sanskrit) you will see all the answers you need are within the manual, and all the words and grammar tables you need are available in the second volume. Coulson's "Teach yourself Sanskrit" has keys, but the grammar is very dense. Maurer's method comes in 2 parts and is expensive, but is really really worth it. You will enjoy learning this enchanting language very much.

This book has great explanations; it's a good grammar with good stories. BUT, there's about 80-100 words to learn per chapter! How could anyone possibly absorb this? There is a Thomas Egenes book out there and another book called Samskrtam Subodhini: a Sanskrit Primer. These two books are your best choices, the former being slow and divided up into two books and the latter being quick paced with a lot of vocab at times but also with a lot of exercises. I went to the library and took a look at this book and was disappointed. It seems most people that study a language are going to want a decent vocabulary but it's not going to happen when there are mountains of it to learn at a time. Save your money for a good Sanskrit Reader like Lanman after you're done with one of the two I've already suggested. You'll be happier and still have a few bucks to spare.