Introduction to Sanskrit
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
“Reading the Vedic Literature in sequence is the procedure to spontaneously train the brain physiology and the whole physiology of speech to function in the most orderly way, so that every thought, speech, and action is spontaneously promoted in the evolutionary direction of Natural Law, and thereby spontaneously enjoys full support of the evolutionary quality of intelligence that upholds order and evolution in the entire universe.”
—Maharishi
with Professor Keith Wegman
Course Format: This course is available as an online self-study course. Videos and course materials are available to view for one year after signing up. Ce cours est également traduit en français. (This course is also available in French.)
Free Introductory Webinar: Click here to view the free talk. Voir la vidéo en français.
Course Fee:
- $145 general tuition fee
- $75 discounted course fee for full-time students, full-time TM organization staff, and low-income retirees
- India, South Africa, and certain other countries have a discounted rate of $35. Please locate your country in the form and find and enter your rate.
The course fee includes detailed study guides.
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Course Description
Reading the Vedic Literature in Sanskrit is a technology of Maharishi Vedic ScienceSM to accelerate the unfoldment of higher states of consciousness. In this eight-week, 16-lesson course, participants will learn everything necessary to read the texts of the Vedic Literature – such as the Bhagavad-Gītā and Ramayan – in the Devanagari script. This is not a course for learning grammar and meaning, but experience and research have found that reading the Vedic Literature for its sound value accelerates the development of higher states of consciousness.
We will also study many of the fundamental principles of Maharishi Vedic Science, particularly those that relate to Maharishi’s program of reading Sanskrit. Each week will include:
- Sanskrit/Devanagari lesson
- Related talk by Maharishi
- Exercises for pronunciation.
About Professor Keith Wegman
Keith Wegman, PhD
Dr. Keith Wegman has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate level courses in Sanskrit and Maharishi Vedic Science and has researched and lectured in these subjects both nationally and internationally over the last 25 years. He is also a Certified Teacher of the Transcendental Meditation® technique and is the Director of TM® instruction at the Raj Ayurveda Health Spa.
Dr. Wegman received his PhD in Maharishi Vedic Science from Maharishi International University in 2004, his MA in Science of Creative Intelligence® from Maharishi International University in 1993, and BA in Philosophy/Art from St. Olaf College in 1991. He lives in Fairfield, Iowa, with his wife Sankari and two children Jayanta and Uma.
Lesson Titles
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Sanskrit & Reading the Vedic Literature – Entire course at a glance
- Lesson 2: Introduction to the Sanskrit Alphabet – the Holistic sound ‘A’ and the first five vowels
- Lesson 3: The remaining three vowels making up the initial eight, the eight Prakriti or aspects of Nature
- Lesson 4: The long vowels and concept of measure, or matra
- Lesson 5: Consonants, ka-varga, and ‘ka’ as the point-value of consciousness
- Lesson 6: Ca-varga and Language as the flow of consciousness
- Lesson 7: Learning the Semivowels and Sibilants, part 2
- Lesson 8: Ta-varga (retroflex), Richo Akshare verse of Rk Veda, language in Higher States, Ritam bhara pragya
- Lesson 9: Ta-varga (dental), Being, the essential constituent of all language
- Lesson 10: Pa-varga, emphasis on inner development in the Vedic tradition
- Lesson 11: Semi-vowels, the special relationship of name and form (Namarupa) available in Vedic words
- Lesson 12: Introduction to vowels following consonants, all consonants plus long and short ‘A’, ‘I’, and ‘U’
- Lesson 13: Vowels following consonants continued, all consonants plus ‘Ri’, ‘Lri’, ‘E’, and ‘Ai’
- Lesson 14: Vowels following consonants continued, all consonants plus ‘O’, ‘Au’, ‘Am’, and ‘Ah’
- Lesson 15: Introduction to conjunct consonants, short words, and the syllable, or akshara
- Lesson 16: Reading Vedic expressions, the first verse of the Bhagavad Gita, and summary of the course with next steps
Reviews
“Wonderful course!” –TJ
“Thank you for such a great course. I really enjoy each session.” —KK
“Thoroughly enjoying the course so far. I think this group is with you for the long haul — we want to go very deep into this precious study and practice.” —TS
“Even though we’re just two lessons in, I cannot believe how fantastic this course is. From the depth of the Knowledge already put forth to its presentation, this might be up there with the best CE MIU courses, close to the top. The Course Materials website is fantastic and an ‘extra’ touch far beyond what you’d expect: expertly written notes, great visuals, and very clear presentation of the concepts. I was excited to learn Sanskrit, but overwhelmed by the responsibility. But this is such a fantastic, natural, enjoyable start that it bodes well for the whole journey, for sure.” —JK
“Great beginning. Thank you and Jai Guru Dev.” —RT
“Best MIU course since Larry Domash physics.” —TL
“Thank you for this wonderful course. And thank you for such valuable material and ‘Vedic expression’ texts, too. Great knowledge!! I really enjoy every lesson and hope that it will not take too much time to know all varna to read and write it, as well as to pronounce it well.” —DZ
“A deep appreciation for this course. Pieces now fall together in this area of knowledge that, for me, were left unanswered 20 years ago when I last spent some time wanting to learn Sanskrit. Thank you.” —JAK
FAQs
What if I am brand new to this topic?
Professor Wegman will guide you step by step from the beginning.
Are there any prerequisites for taking the course?
There are no prerequisites. All are welcome.
How long are the videos available to view?
For at least one year after you’ve enrolled.
Where can I contact the organizer of this event with any questions?
Please email the Office of Continuing Education at ce@miu.edu. Or you can call 641-919-0045 during office hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 pm (Central Time).
What is the refund policy?
We offer full refunds to anyone who requests them before starting the third class.