Introduction

The Department of Classical Languages offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in Sanskrit language, Sanskrit literature, and Indological studies. Since year 2000, in line with the Degree Program Shifting in the Faculty of Arts from Annual Evaluation System to Course Unit System, the Department of Classical Languages has also been offering course units in both English and Sinhala media.

Having comprehended the necessity of assimilating constructive tendencies in contemporary Sanskrit studies to the current curricula and keeping abreast of quality undergraduate Degree Programs in Sanskrit in the rest of the world, the Department revised Sanskrit course unit curriculum after a period of ten years since its inception. In order to enhance the quality of the undergraduate education in Sanskrit and to foster wider applicability of that education to today's needs of the society, such revisions to the Sanskrit curriculum have been essential. In preparing the syllabi in operation, the Sanskrit faculty of the Department of Classical Languages has taken into account the structure and content of the previous curriculum, the dimension of knowledge and practice that students obtain and the obstacles and potential pitfalls encountered by them as well. Further, suggestions from Sanskrit scholars as well as students have been sought regarding the ways of improving the curriculum and thereby optimizing the course unit system to increase student employability. Accordingly, the Sanskrit curriculum of the Undergraduate Degree program in Sanskrit have been revised in threefold ways; (i) some courses are kept unchanged due to their manifest significance to the degree program, (ii) some have been revised by means of amalgamating, broadening their scopes and updating several course units or their components; (iii) some have freshly been introduced.

Undergraduate Syllabus

100 Level

Semester ONE

SKT 101 - Introduction to Sanskrit Language and Literature - I

Course Code	SKT 101
Course Title	Introduction to Sanskrit Language and Literature - I
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students acquire fundamental knowledge of Sanskrit grammar through selected topics and thereby comprehend and appreciate simple literary texts.
Course Content	(a) Rudiments of Sanskrit Language: Sanskrit Alphabet (based on the saṃjñā Chapter of the Siddhāntakaumudī); Euphonic Combinations or sandhi (svara, vyañjana and visarga); Conjugation of Verbs I: Present Tense (Laṭ), Recent Past Tense (Laṅ), Perfect Tense (Liṭ), Aorist Tense (Luṅ), Imperative Mood (Loṭ), Potential Mood (Liṅ), Conditional Mood (Lṛṅ); (b) Sanskrit Literature: A brief Introduction to various aspects of Vedic and Classical Sanskrit Literature; (c) Textual Study: with special emphasis on identifying the elementary forms of literary Sanskrit language and the basic problems in translating and interpreting Sanskrit works. Prescribed Texts: Candrāpīḍacarita, by V. Anantacharya, 1969 (1 - 20 pages), Ṛtusaṃhāra - (Third Sarga)
Select English References	Macdonell, A. A. 1926. A Sanskrit Grammar for Students. London: Oxford University Press Apte, V. S. 1957. A Students’ guide to Sanskrit composition. Poona: A.V. Griha Publication

Semester TWO

SKT 102 - Introduction to Sanskrit Language and Literature - II

Course Code	SKT 102
Course Title	Introduction to Sanskrit Language and Literature - II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	By becoming more familiar with advanced topics of Sanskrit grammar through selected readings, students develop their skills of comprehending and appreciating prescribed literary texts.
Course Content	(a) Rudiments of Sanskrit Language: Conjugation of Verbs II: Recent Future Tense (Luṭ), Remote Future Tense (Lṛṭ), Benedictive Mood (āśir Liṅ); Passive voice; Derivative Nouns (taddhita); Participles ending in kṛt affixes (kṛdanta); Causative (prayojya), Intensive (atiśayārtha), Desiderative (īpsārtha / icchārtha); Infinitives (tumanta); Indeclinables (avya); (b) Sanskrit Literature: Textual Study with special emphasis on (a) identifying the elementary forms of literary Sanskrit language and (b) the basic problems in translating and interpreting Sanskrit works. Prescribed Texts: Pañcatantra - Labdhapraṇāśa (1 - 5 stories) , Nītiśataka (1 - 50 verses)
Select English References	Macdonell, A. A. 1926. A Sanskrit Grammar for Students. London: Oxford University Press Apte, V. S. 1957. A Students’ guide to Sanskrit composition. Poona: A.V. Griha Publication

200 Level

Semester ONE

SKT 201 - Sanskrit Poetical Literature - I

Course Code	SKT 201
Course Title	Sanskrit Poetical Literature - I
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students grasp and appreciate the style, content and prominent features of the poetical literature written in simple Sanskrit through the study of selected texts.
Course Content	(a) History of Sanskrit Poetry from Epics to Classical Literature; (b) General Remarks on content, style and poets in the periods concerned; (c) Textual Study: Selected passages from Sanskrit Epics (Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa); Gnomic Literature (Vairāgyaśataka, Subhāṣitaratnakoṣa, Cārucaryā) Prescribed texts: Mahābhāratapāṭhāvalī (ed. M. H. F. Jayasuriya) Rāmāyaṇa - Sundarakāṇḍa Section (Chap. 13 & 14) Vairāgyaśataka of Bhartṛhari (01 - 25 Verses) Cārucaryā of Kṣemendra (1 - 50 verses)
Select English References	S. N. Dasgupta, A History of Sanskrit Literature, Vol. I, University of Calcutta, Book II, Chap. I, II, III. A. A. Macdonell, (1900) A History of Sanskrit Literature, London, , Chap. XI. Krishna Chaitanya, A New History of Sanskrit Literature, Chap. IX. M. Winternitz, A History of Indian Literature, Vol. III. A History of India Literature, Vol. III. Fasc. I - A History of Classical Poetry, Wiesbaden, 1984. Chap. I - IV (1 - 225 pp.)

SKT 202 - Sanskrit Prose Literature - I

Course Code	SKT 202
Course Title	Sanskrit Prose Literature - I
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students explore the prose literature written in uncomplicated and unelaborated Sanskrit in different periods with emphasis on its style, content and peculiar linguistic & literary features. They also improve their Sanskrit vocabulary and skills of appreciating Sanskrit prose.
Course Content	(a) History and Development of prose literature in Sanskrit: Fragmentary Vedic prose; Prose in Inscriptions; Prose in Tales and Parables (b) Hallmarks of classical prose: style, content, chronology (c) Modern Sanskrit Prose: Fictions, Short stories etc. Prescribed texts: Selected passages from the Yajurveda, Brāhmaṇas, Āraṇyakas and Upaniṣads (quoted in Böthlink's Sanskrit Chrestomathies and Sāhityaratnakoṣa : Vedaśāstrasaṃgraha) Girnar Rock Inscription of Rudradāman (01 - 15 lines) Śivarājāvijaya of Ambikādatta Vyāsa - A modern Sanskrit Fiction
Select English References	M. Winternitz, (1962), A History of Indian Literature, University of Calcutta, Section I, 148 - 254 pp. and 253 - 271 pp. Jan, Gonda, A History of Indian Literature, Vol. A. A. Macdonell, A History of Sanskrit Literature, Chap. II - VIII. Krishna Chaitanya, A New History of Sanskrit Literature, Chap. II - XII.

SKT 203 - Sanskrit Grammar and Unspecified Texts

Course Code	SKT 203
Course Title	Sanskrit Grammar and Unspecified Texts
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students learn how to analyze common grammatical components in unspecified prose and verse passages in Sanskrit and thereby comprehend those passages.
Course Content	(a) Sanskrit Grammar: Euphonic Combinations (sandhi); Compounds (samāsa); Participles ending in kṛt affixes (kṛdanta); Derivative Nouns (taddhita); Causative verbs (prayojya), Intensive verbs (atiśayārtha), Desiderative verbs (īpsārtha / icchārtha); Nominal verbs (nāmadhātuka); (b) Unspecified Texts: Skimming for general meaning; Figuring out grammatical framework; Rendering/ Interpreting Prescribed texts: None
Select English References	Macdonell, A. A. 1926. A Sanskrit Grammar for Students. London: Oxford University Press Apte, V. S. 1957. A Students’ guide to Sanskrit composition. Poona: A.V. Griha Publication M. R. Kale, A Higher Sanskrit Grammar, Delhi, 1961.

SKT 204 - Modern Sanskrit Literature and Spoken Sanskrit – I

Course Code	SKT 204
Course Title	Modern Sanskrit Literature and Spoken Sanskrit – I
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students introduce themselves to everyday conversational Sanskrit and the modern literature written therein. They start using such Sanskrit in their daily life so as to obtain a better command of the language.
Course Content	(a) Contemporary Prose Literature: Short stories; Fictions; Historical Novels; Translations into Sanskrit from other languages; (b) Poetical Literature: Epics; Poems; Songs; Lyrics; (c) Sanskrit Drama: (d) Sanskrit Journals, Newsletters, Newspapers etc. Prescribed texts: Viśvāsa, H. R. et al. 2003. Sugandhaḥ Saṃskṛtakathāsaṃgrahaḥ: A collection of short moral stories written by various authors. Bangalore: Saṃskṛta Bhāratī. First published 1986 Viśvāsa, H. R. 2004. Kavikopakalāpaḥ: A collection of nine short plays of Sanskrit. Bangalore: Saṃskṛta Bhāratī. Sambhāṣaṇa Saṃskṛta - 21 VCDs issued by Rāṣṭrīya Saṃskṛta Saṃsthān. New Delhi. Śāstrī, Praśasyamitra. 2001. Āṣāḍhasya Prathamadivase. Ilahābād: Akṣayavaṭa Prakāśana.
Select English References	None

Semester TWO

SKT 205 - Sanskrit Poetical Literature - II

Course Code	SKT 205
Course Title	Sanskrit Poetical Literature - II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students obtain a detailed understanding of the major poetical works in classical Sanskrit by eminent writers, the form and style of the works and the socio-cultural background in which that tradition flourished.
Course Content	(a) Genres of Poetry in Classical Sanskrit; (b) Form, Content and Style of major works; (c) Prominent Poets in the Classical period; (d) Hallmarks and trends of literary tradition in the classical period; (e) Textual Study: Excerpts from Buddhacarita, Kumārasambhava, Meghadūta, Gītagovinda & Śiśupālavadha Prescribed texts: Buddhacarita of Aśvaghoṣa - Chapter III Kumārasambhava of Kālidāsa - 4th Canto Meghadūta of Kālidāsa - Uttaramegha (30 Verses) Gītagovinda of Jayadeva - 1. 4 Śiśupālavadha of Māgha – 1st Canto (01 - 30 verses)
Select English References	Dasgupta, S. N. & De, S. K. 1947. A history of Sanskrit literature, Vol. I (Classical Period). Book II. Calcutta: University of Calcutta. Chap. I - III. Haksar, A. N. D. (ed.). 1995. Glimpses of Sanskrit literature. Delhi: New Age International. Lienhard, Siegfried. 1984. A history of Indian literature (ed. Jan Gonda) Vol. III. Fasc. I. A History of Classical Poetry: Sanskrit-Pali-Prakrit. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. Chap. I - IV (1 - 225 pp.) McDonell, A. A. 1962. A history of Sanskrit literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. Chap. XI. (First Published in 1900) Thilakasiri, Jayadeva. 1985. Kālidāsa's imagery and the theory of poetics. New Delhi: Navranng Winternitz, Moris. 1963. History of Indian literature, Vol. III. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

SKT 206 - Sanskrit Prose Literature - II

Course Code	SKT 206
Course Title	Sanskrit Prose Literature - II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students read, appreciate and evaluate the ornate and more complicated prose texts by well-known Sanskrit writers in the classical period.
Course Content	(a) Evolution of simple prose to elaborated prose poetry; (b) Hallmarks of ornate prose; (c) prominent writers and their styles of story-telling & narrative techniques (d) Writers' distinctive skills in rhetorics, grammar and plot-construction (b) Textual Study: Daśakumāracarita, Kādambarī and Harṣacarita Prescribed texts: Daśakumāracarita of Daṇḍin - Uttarapīṭhikā - VIIth Ucchvāsa Kādambarī of Bāṇa - Kathāmukha (01 - 10 pages) Harṣacarita of Bāṇa (M. R. Kale's edition) 02 - 12 pages Kathāsaritsāgara – Jīvānanda Vidyāsāgara's edition (Fourth Lambaka, 23rd Taraṅga)
Select English References	Dasgupta, S. N. & De, S. K. 1947. A history of Sanskrit literature, Vol. I (Classical Period). Book II. Calcutta: University of Calcutta. Chap. I - III. McDonell, A. A. 1962. A history of Sanskrit literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. Chap. XI. (First Published in 1900) Winternitz, Moris. 1963. History of Indian literature, Vol. III. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

SKT 207 - Sanskrit Grammar and Composition

Course Code	SKT 207
Course Title	Sanskrit Grammar and Composition
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students acquire more comprehensive expertise on Sanskrit grammar thus far studied, become familiar with new grammatical structures and vocabulary and make use of them in composing Sanskrit essays in both prose and verse.
Course Content	More detailed knowledge of (a) sandhi (euphonic combination); (b) samāsa (Compounds); (c) kṛdanta (participles ending in kṛt affixes; (d) taddhita (Derivative Nouns); (e) nāmadhātuka (Derivative Verbs); (f) ārdhadhātuka lakāras (g) Kārakas as taught in Laghu Siddhānta Kaumudī; (h) Composing grammatically accurate sentences and simple verses in Sanskrit Prescribed texts: Siddhāntakaumudī of Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita
Select English References	Macdonell, A. A. 1926. A Sanskrit Grammar for Students. London: Oxford University Press Apte, V. S. 1913. The student’s guide to Sanskrit composition. Bombay: The Oriental Publishing Company. Apte, V. S. 1915. A key to Apte's Guide to Sanskrit composition. Bombay: The Oriental Publishing Company. A. A. Macdonell, (1962), Vedic Grammar for Students, Oxford University Press, London,. Burrow, T. 1955.The Sanskrit language. London: Faber and Faber.

SKT 208 - Modern Sanskrit Literature and Spoken Sanskrit - II

Course Code	SKT 208
Course Title	Modern Sanskrit Literature and Spoken Sanskrit - II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students survey further the contemporary literature in more advanced Sanskrit particularly of Indic origin and become more fluent in conversational Sanskrit in their daily life so as to achieve its mastery.
Course Content	(a) Modern Prose Literature: (short stories, Fictions, Historical Novels, Translations); (b) Poetical Literature (epics, poems, songs, Lyrics); (c) Sanskrit Dramas; (d) Sanskrit Journals, Newsletters etc. (e) Non-poetical literature in modern times (f) Conversational Sanskrit lessons: Impromptu speech in Sanskrit etc. Prescribed texts: Hegade, Janardana (tr.). 2000. Dharmaśrīḥ: a translation of famous Kannada novel by S. L. Bhairappa into Sanskrit. New Delhi: Saṃskṛta Bhāratī. Rao, H. V. Nagaraja (tr.). 2000. Sārthaḥ: a translation of famous Kannada novel by S. L. Bhairappa into Sanskrit. New Delhi: Saṃskṛta Bhāratī. Viśvāsa, H. R. et al. 2000. Navarūpakam (laghurūpakāṇāṃ saṅgrahaḥ): a collection of nine short plays of Sanskrit. Bangalore: Saṃskṛta Bhāratī. Sandeśa Saṃskṛtam: Collection of Sanskrit Newsletters Monthly Published
Select English References	None

300 Level

Semester ONE

SKT 301 - Sanskrit Dramaturgy

Course Code	SKT 301
Course Title	Sanskrit Dramaturgy
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students gain the knowledge of the history of Sanskrit Drama, major playwrights and the theories of dramatic practice as described in the principle works on classical Indian Theatre.
Course Content	(a) Origin and Development of Sanskrit Drama; (b) Fundamental Theories of Classical Indian Theatre (playwriting, stage, costumes, gestures, facial expressions etc.) as described in the prescribed works; (c) Prominent writers on Sanskrit Dramaturgy and their traditions (d) Tools and strategies in appreciating Sanskrit Drama Prescribed Texts: Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni: 1 - 3 chapters Daśarūpa of Dhanañjaya: 1 - 5 chapters Abhinayadarpaṇa of Nandikeśvara: 3rd & 4th chapters
Select English References	None

SKT 302 - Poetics and Literary Criticism

Course Code	SKT 302
Course Title	Poetics and Literary Criticism
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	By studying Sanskrit poetics and literary criticism as expounded by Indian rhetoricians, students acquire a good knowledge of fundamental literary theories in Sanskrit and learn how to apply them to creative literature so as to appraise it.
Course Content	(a) Insights into literary criticism in Vedic literature; (b) Development of concerns about the nature of good literature and that of connoisseur's appreciation; (c) Eightfold established traditions of literary criticism (Rasavāda, Dhvanivāda, Guṇavāda, Rītivāda, Alaṅkāravāda, Anumitivāda, Aucityavāda, Vakroktivāda) and their founders & proponents Prescribed Texts: Kāvyādarśa of Daṇḍin - 1st and 2nd chapters Dhvanyāloka of Ānandavardhana - 1st and 2nd Udyotas Kāvyālaṅkārasūtra of Vāmana - 1st and 3rd Adhikaraṇas Sāhityadarpaṇa of Viśvanātha - 10th chapter
Select English References	Chaitanya, Krishna. 1918. Sanskrit poetics, a critical and comparative Study. London: Asia Publishing House. De, S. K. 1959. Some problems of Sanskrit poetics. Calcutta: Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay De, S. K. 1960. History of Sanskrit poetics. Calcutta: Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay Gerow, Edwin. 1977. Indian poetics, A History of Indian Literature, (ed. Jan Gonda) Volume V - Fasc. 3. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.

SKT 303 - Vedic Literature

Course Code	SKT 303
Course Title	Vedic Literature
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students start reading Vedic texts analytically and, through gradual comprehension, recognizing prominent linguistic and literary features of the Vedic language.
Course Content	(a) Origin and Development of the Vedic literature; (b) Classification of the Vedas in terms of chronology, content and composition; (c) Textual Study: Excerpts from the Ṛgveda, Atharvaveda, Brāhmaṇa and Purāṇa texts; (d) Linguistic and literary peculiarities of the Vedic Literature Prescribed Texts: Ṛgveda - Hymns I. 1 (Agni), I. 154 (Viṣṇu), II. 12 (Indra), III. 33 (Viśvāmitra-nadī), IV. 51 (Uṣas), V. 85 (Varuṇa), VII. 48 (Viśvedevā), VII. 63 (Mitrāvaruṇau), VII. 103 (Maṇḍūka), X. 14 (Yama), X. 34 (Akṣa) Atharvaveda - Hymns 1. 17, IV. 16, IV. 25, V. 22 Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa - 1. 8. 1 (1 - 10) Aitareya Brāhmaṇa - 7. 13 Śunaḥśepa (29 - 34) Viṣṇu Purāṇa - 4. 6 (Purūravas Urvaśī Upākhyāna) Vāyu Purāṇa - Janakāśvamedhe Yājñavalkyapratiṣṭhā
Select English References	Macdonell, A. A. 1917. A Vedic Reader for Students. Oxford: Oxford University Press Gonda, Jan. 1975. Vedic Literature, A history of Indian literature, Vol. 1, Fasc. 1. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.

SKT 304 - Buddhist Literature in Classical Sanskrit

Course Code	SKT 304
Course Title	Buddhist Literature in Classical Sanskrit
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students figure out the concepts and views in Buddhist literary works in classical Sanskrit and distinguish the terms used therein from those in non-Buddhist Sanskrit literature.
Course Content	(a) Introduction to Poetical and devotional works (by Aśvaghoṣa, Mātṛceta, Āryaśūra et al) with Buddhist themes; (b) Buddhist philosophical works (by Nāgārjuna, Vasubandhu, Āryadeva, Asaṅga et al); (c) Literary works (by Diṅnāga, Candrakīrti, Śāntarakṣita et al) on Buddhist logic; (d) Writers of major works; (e) Chronological issue, linguistic features, styles and content of the works; (f) Textual Study: selected texts from Jātakamālā, Saundarananda, Śatapañcāśatka and Avadānakalpalatā Prescribed Texts: Jātakamālā of Āryaśūra (Śaśajātaka) Saundarananda of Aśvaghoṣa (8th Sarga) Śatapañcāśatka of Mātṛceta (6th and 7th Staras) Mūlamādhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna (24th section –Āryasatyaparīkṣā)
Select English References	Edgerton, Franklin; Goetze, Albrecht; Reichardt, Konstantin. 1972 - 1985. Buddhist hybrid Sanskrit grammar and dictionary, Vol. I & II New Haven: Yale University Press. Nariman, G. K. 1923. Literary history of Sanskrit Buddhism, Bombay: Indian Book Depot. Second impression. Winternitz, M. 1988. The history of Indian literature, Vol. II Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

SKT 309 - Elementary Sanskrit - I

Course Code	SKT 309
Course Title	Elementary Sanskrit - I
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Optional - Open only to those never taken SKT
Objectives	Students with no or minimal knowledge of Sanskrit learn the basic components of Sanskrit in relation to and in contrast with Sinhala/ English in order to use it as a tool language.
Course Content	(a) Sanskrit alphabet and its classification into vowels (svara), consonants (vyañjana), sibilants (uṣman), semivowels (antaḥstha) sonants (ghoṣa), surds (aghoṣa), aspirated (mahāprāṇa), non-aspirated (alpaprāṇa) and the categories in terms of origin (b) Basics of browsing Sanskrit Dictionaries and thesauruses; (c) Most common Sanskrit verbs and their conjugation: Tenses and moods; (d) Nouns and their declension: masculine stems ending in a, i, u, ṛ, o; feminine stems ending in ā, i, ī, u, ṛ; Natural stems ending in a, i, u; Stems ending in consonants t, n, c; (e) Pronouns and their declensions: asmat, yuṣmat, idam; (f) Sandhi (euphonic combinations); combination of vowels, consonants and visarga; (g) Textual study from selected unspecified texts including Sanskrit Readers, Didactic literature and Simple prose poetry. Prescribed Texts: None
Select English References	Macdonell, A. A. 1926. A Sanskrit Grammar for Students. London: Oxford University Press Apte, V. S. 1957. A Students’ guide to Sanskrit composition. Poona: A.V. Griha Publication

Semester TWO

SKT 305 - Sanskrit Drama

Course Code	SKT 305
Course Title	Sanskrit Drama
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students apply the theories of Sanskrit dramaturgy to the drama texts of eminent writers in the classical period and thereby appreciate the Sanskrit drama literature.
Course Content	(a) Hallmarks of Sanskrit Drama in the classical period; (b) Prominent writers and their peculiar concerns on plot-construction, language, style, portrayal of characters etc. (c) Textual study: selected acts of Svapnavāsavadattā, Abhijñāna Śakuntalā, Ratnāvalī, (d) interpretation, critical appraisal of the plot, poetic merits and theatricality Prescribed Texts: Svapnavāsavadattā of Bhāsa (1 - 5 acts) Abhijñāna Śakuntalā of Kālidāsa (1 - 4 acts) Ratnāvalī of Śrī Harṣa (I, II acts)
Select English References	Kāle, M. R. 1964. The Ratnavali of Sri Harsha-Deva. Bombay: Bookseller's Pub. Co. Kāle, M. R. 1982. Svapnavāsavadattā of Bhāsa. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas, Kāle, M. R. 1990. The Abhijnanaśakuntalam of Kalidasa. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. Ramanathan, C. 1986.The tragic parts in the plays of Bhāsa, Studies in Indian Culture: a volume of essays presented to Sāhitya Śiromaṇi Professor S. Ramachandra Rao (ed. G. Ramakrishna). Bangalore: Professor S. Ramachandra Rao Felicitation Committee. pp. 263 - 267. Thapar, Romila. 2002. Śakuntalā: texts, readings, histories. London: Anthem Press.

SKT 306 - Buddhist Literature in Hybrid Sanskrit

Course Code	SKT 306
Course Title	Buddhist Literature in Hybrid Sanskrit
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students improve the skills of comprehending the Buddhist literature in hybrid Sanskrit with special reference to its linguistic peculiarities, style, content and chronology.
Course Content	(a) Evidence of Sanskrit canonical literature (fragmentary texts, extracts and translations) in comparison to those of Pali canon; (b) Earlier Buddhist texts in Hybrid Sanskrit; (c) content, chronological issue & writers of Vaipulya Sūtras; (d) Avadāna literature; (e) linguistic peculiarities and writing styles of the prescribed texts; (e) Textual Study: selected texts from Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra, Mahāvastu and Lalitavistara. Prescribed Texts: Mahāvastu: S. Bagchi's edition (1970). 295 – 305 Lalitavistara 18: Nairañjanaparivarta Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra 3: Aupamyaparivarta
Select English References	Edgerton, Franklin; Goetze, Albrecht; Reichardt, Konstantin. 1972 - 1985. Buddhist hybrid Sanskrit grammar and dictionary, Vol. I & II New Haven: Yale University Press. Nariman, G. K. 1923. Literary history of Sanskrit Buddhism, Bombay: Indian Book Depot. Second impression. Rahula, Telwatte. 1978. A critical study of the Mahāvastu. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. Winternitz, M. 1988. The history of Indian literature, Vol. II Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

SKT 307 - History of Sanskrit Literature

Course Code	SKT 307
Course Title	History of Sanskrit Literature
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students assimilate an overall image of the Vedic and Classical Sanskrit literature with special reference to their various genres originated both in India and Sri Lanka.
Course Content	(a) Triveda, Caturveda and Pañcamaveda; (b) Śruti-Smṛti Division; (c) Cultural History as in the Vedic Literature: Sources of Vedic Culture, Geographical Spread of Vedic India, Ethnic diversification of India as reflected in the Vedic texts, Political systems & legal institutions, Social system, Emergence of towns and cities, Economy and trade, Religions and cults, Rituals and Rites (Saṃskāras) (d) Peculiarities of Classical age; (e) Renaissance of Sanskrit Studies; (f) Role of Sanskrit in the Present world; (g) History of Sanskrit Literature in Sri Lanka Prescribed Texts: None
Select English References	Gonda, Jan. 1975. Vedic literature. A history of Indian literature. Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden. Bhattacharji, Sukumari. 1984-6. Literature in the Vedic Age. Vol. 1. The Samhitās. & Vol. 2, The Brāhmanas, Āranyakas, Upanisads and Vedānga Sūtras. Calcutta: K. P. Bagchi & Company.

SKT 308 - Sanskrit Grammar and Composition - II

Course Code	SKT 308
Course Title	Sanskrit Grammar and Composition - II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students develop their skills of conjugating verbs, declining nouns and composing advanced essays in Sanskrit. Further, they become capable of distinguishing between Vedic and Classical Sanskrit grammar.
Course Content	(a) Daśa lakāras; (b) Daśa Gaṇas; (c) Indeclinables; (d) Declension of nouns; (e) Infinitives, adjectives, adverbs, participles and secondary nominal affixes, derivative nouns; (f) Vedic and Classical Sanskrit; (g) Neologisms (forming of new words/ phrases); (h) Basic structures of sentences and tactics of composition; (i) common syntactic platforms for compositions in Sanskrit through story-telling and paraphrasing simple didactic verses Prescribed Texts: None
Select English References	None

SKT 310 - Elementary Sanskrit - II

Course Code	SKT 310
Course Title	Elementary Sanskrit - II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Optional – Open only to those never taken SKT except SKT 309S
Objectives	Students achieve a more advanced command of simple Sanskrit and apply it as a tool language to their disciplines.
Course Content	(a) Sanskrit Grammar: derivative nouns (taddhita); participles (kṛdanta); causatives (prayojya); compounds (samāsa); passive voice (karmakāraka); (b) Textual study from selected unspecified texts including prose poetry, epics, drama etc. Prescribed Texts: None
Select English References	Sastri, K. L. V. 2009. Saṃskṛta Bālādarśa & Prathamādarśa. Palghat: R. S. Vadhyar and Sons. Macdonell, A. A. 1926. A Sanskrit Grammar for Students. London: Oxford University Press Apte, V. S. 1957. A Students’ guide to Sanskrit composition. Poona: A.V. Griha Publication

400 Level

Semester ONE

SKT 401 - Astrology & Prosody

Course Code	SKT 401
Course Title	Astrology & Prosody
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students obtain an applied knowledge of astrology and prosody so as to prepare horoscopes and other astrological applications and to compose Sanskrit metrical compositions respectively.
Course Content	(a) The significance of astrology as a Vedāṅga; (b) History of Jyotiṣ Literature; (c) Preparing a horoscope, an auspicious time, calculating Daśā; (d) Zodiac (Rāśi) - the base of cosmology; (e) Nature of the planets and their properties/ Qualities of the planets (Graha); (f) Moon and its effects on stars; (g) Divisions of Chandas and Gaṇa; (h) Properties of Guru, Laghu and Yati (caesura) (i) Various Chandas and Vṛttas Prescribed Texts: Bṛhajjātaka of Varāhamihira - Chapters I, II, XVII Vṛttaratnākara of Kedārabhaṭṭa - Chapters I, II, III
Select English References	Pingree, David. 1981. Jyotihśāstra, Astral and Mathematical Literature, A History of Indian Literature, ed. Jan Gonda, Vol. VI, Fasc. 4. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. Weber, Albrecht. 1914. The History of Indian Literature, translated by John Mann & Theodo Zachariae Tribner's Oriented Series, Popular Edition, pp. 246-264. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Tribner & Co. Ltd.

SKT 402 - Philosophical Literature in Sanskrit – I

Course Code	SKT 402
Course Title	Philosophical Literature in Sanskrit – I
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students become knowledgeable about, through studying original texts, various Indian philosophical traditions and their key teachings, basic concepts, theories and arguments in Indian philosophy along with the specific terminology used to explain them.
Course Content	(a) Theory of Categories (padārtha); (b) Means of knowledge (pramāṇa); (c) Concept of atom; (d) Sthitaprajña (steadfast) Lokasaṃgraha; (e) Concept of Bhakti and Jñāna; (f) Concept of Guṇabheda; (g) Doctrine of the Highest God; (h) Doctrine of Karma; (i) Doctrine of Death Prescribed Texts: Selected passages from; Tarkasaṃgraha of Annambhaṭṭa, Bhagavadgītā, Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, Kāṭhakopaniṣad Nyāyasūtra of Gautama with Vātsyāyanabhāṣya 1.1.1 – 1.1.3 Pūrvamīmāṃsāsūtra of Jaiminī with Śabarabhāṣya 1.1.1 – 1.1.2
Select English References	Chatterjee, S. & Datta, D. 1984. An introduction to Indian philosophy. Calcutta: University of Calcutta. Dasgupta, S. N. 1932. A history of Indian philosophy. Vol. 1- 11. London: Cambridge University Press Hiriyanna, M. 1932. Outlines of Indian philosophy. London: George Allen & Unwin. Hume, R. E. 1921. The thirteen principal Upaniṣads. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Heimann, Betty. 1950. Subjectivism and objectivism in Hindu Philosophy: The Problem of Ātman - Siddha Bhāratī or the Rosary of Indology, Vol. I, Series, pp. 36-43, 2, ed. Vishva Bandhu, V. V. R. Institute P& P, Organization, Hoshiarpur. Sharma ,Chandradhar. 1960. A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi. Wijesekara, O.H.De, A. 1950. An Aspect of Upanisadic Ātman and Buddhist Anatta, Siddha-Bhāratī or The Rosary of Indology, vol. I. series, 2, pp. 115-122, ed. Vishra Bandhu, V.V.R. Institute P& P, Organization, Hoshiarpur.

SKT 403 - History of Sanskrit Language

Course Code	SKT 403
Course Title	History of Sanskrit Language
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students acquire a considerable comprehension of the origin and development of Sanskrit language from the perspectives of comparative and historical linguistics.
Course Content	(a) Proto Indo-European (PIE) period, Indo-Iranian period and Indo-Aryan period; (b) Principles of general phonological change; (c) Sanskrit phonological system and its Indo-European origin; (d) Morphological affinity of Indo-European languages to Sanskrit Language; (e) Comparative study of Vedic and Classical forms in Sanskrit Language; (f) Epic Sanskrit and Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit; (g) Non-Aryan influences on Sanskrit; (h) Sanskrit as a spoken language - its position as a medium of mass communication; (i) Nighaṇḍus, Koṣas, Dictionaries and Encyclopedias of Sanskrit Language. Prescribed Texts: None
Select English References	Bloch, Jules. 1965. Indo-Aryan from the Vedas to modern times (ed. Alfred Master). Paris: Burrow, T. 1955.The Sanskrit language. London: Faber and Faber. Chatterji, Suniti Kumar. 1942. Indo Aryan and Hindi. Gujarat Vernacular Society Research Series - No. 20. Ahamedahad. Coulson, Michael. 1989. Sanskrit: an introduction to the language. Suffolk: Hodder & Stoughton. Ghosh, Batakrishna. 1937. Linguistic introduction to Sanskrit. Linguistic Series- No.1; Indian Research Institute Publications. Calcutta: Indian Research Institution. Gune, P. D. 1918. An introduction to comparative philology. Poona. Mishra, Kameshwar Nath. 1993. Aspects of Buddhist Sanskrit, Samyak-Vak Series-VI. Varanasi: Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. Watkins, Calvert. 1995. How to kill a dragon: aspects of Indo-European poetics. New York: Oxford University Press. Watkins, Calvert. 2000. The American heritage dictionary of Indo-European roots. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

SKT 404 - Research Methodology in Indological Studies

Course Code	SKT 404
Course Title	Research Methodology in Indological Studies
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students introduce themselves to initial steps in conducting quality research in humanities by learning the basics of research methodology with particular emphasis on Indological research, introduction to academic writing and presentation skills.
Course Content	(a) Qualitative and Quantitative Research methods; (b) Choosing a research area; (c) Literature Survey; (d) Formulating a research problem (e) Identifying variables/ Constructing hypotheses/ Conceptualizing a research design/ Selecting a Topic and study design; (f) Writing research proposals; (g) Data collection, Sorting, Processing and Displaying; (h) Demarcating the scope of research/ Sampling; (i) How to handle Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Resources; (j) Academic Writing: Paraphrasing, Summarizing, Coherence, Register, Accurate punctuations, Avoiding ambiguity and common grammatical pitfalls, Proofreading, (k) How to prepare Bibliographies, Appendices, Indices, (l) Research Ethics; (m) Presentation Skills Prescribed Texts: None
Select English References	None

SKT 498 - Dissertation - I

All students on the special degree program in Sanskrit must write a dissertation of not more than 10,000 words on a topic selected by them and approved by the Department. Further information about this course component can be found in undergraduate handbook. First part of the dissertation should be completed within this semester.

Semester TWO

SKT 405 - Scientific & Technological Literature in Sanskrit

Course Code	SKT 405
Course Title	Scientific & Technological Literature in Sanskrit
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students, via studying the scientific and technological literature in Sanskrit with the help of selected texts from Mathematical, Political, Āyurveda, Dharmaśāstra and Kāmaśāstra literature, assimilate the teachings expounded therein for the advancement of their own life.
Course Content	(a) Kauṭilya's view of international relations; (b) Kauṭilya's particular contribution to politics; (c) Concept of State, King, Governance and Punishment; (d) Dharmaśāstra Literature and its significance; (e) History of Āyurveda Literature; (f) Dimension of Aṣṭāṅgāyurveda; (g) Trivarga Puruṣārtha and Kāmaśāstra Prescribed Texts: Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya (7th Adhikaraṇa) - Ṣāḍguṇya Carakasaṃhitā of Caraka - Sūtrasthāna Suśrutasaṃhitā of Suśruta- Sūtrasthāna Manusmṛti of Manu - 7th Adhyāya Kāmasūtra of Vātsyāyana - 1st Adhikaraṇa
Select English References	Buhler (trans.). 1886. Laws of Manu (Manusmṛti) (ed. F. Maxmüller). The Sacred Books of the East. Vol. XXV. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Burton, Richard F. 1962. The Kāmasūtra of Vātsyāyana. New Delhi: Penguin Books. Iyer, Venkatasubramonia S. 1978. Technical literature in Sanskrit. Trivendrum. Jaggi, O. P. 1986 – 1997. Indian sstronomy and mathematics. History of Science, Technology and Medicine vol. 1-12. Delhi: Kangle, R. P. (ed.). 1969. Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra. Vols. 1, 2 and 3. Delhi; Motilal Banarsidass. Wujastyk, Dominik. 2001. The roots of Āyurveda: selections from Sanskrit medical writings. London: Penguin.

SKT 406 - Philosophical Literature in Sanskrit – II

Course Code	SKT 406
Course Title	Philosophical Literature in Sanskrit – II
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students become more familiar with the fundamental aspects and arguments in Indian Philosophy along with the specific terminology used to explain them.
Course Content	(a) Problem of the self (ātman); (b) Problem of evolution (hiraṇyagarbha, pariṇāma, vivarta, ābhāsa, etc.); (c) Indian Metaphysics and ontology (sat, asat, puruṣa, prakṛti, Brahman, etc.; (d) Indian Logic; (e) Problem of causality; (f) Theories of Consciousness (cit); (g) Theories of emancipation (mukti); (h) Ethics, Law and Morals Prescribed Texts: Brahmasūtra - Śaṅkara Bhāṣya Yogasūtra of Patañjali Sāṅkhyakārikā of Īśvarakṛṣṇa (1 - 50 kārikās) Vedāntasāra of Sadānanda Yogī
Select English References	None

SKT 407 - Philosophy of Language

Course Code	SKT 407
Course Title	Philosophy of Language
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Students study Sanskrit grammarians' & philosophers' views on and theories of the philosophy of Language.
Course Content	(a) Philosophy of Language in Pāṇinian tradition; (b) Philosophy of Language in Non-Pāṇinian traditions; (c) Bhartṛhari's Philosophy of Language; (d) Sphoṭa theory of language; (e) Mimāṃsā theory of language; (f) Nyāya theory of language; (g) Vedānta theory of language; (h) Buddhist theory of language Prescribed Texts: Mahābhāṣya Paśpaśāhnīkā of Patañjali Vākyapadīya of Bhartṛhari – Chap. I, II (Brahmakāṇḍa and Vākyakāṇḍa) Vaiyākaraṇabhūṣaṇasāra of Kauṇḍabhaṭṭa - Sphoṭanirṇaya Sphoṭasiddhi of Maṇḍanamiśra
Select English References	None

SKT 408 - Writing Skills in Sanskrit

Course Code	SKT 408
Course Title	Writing Skills in Sanskrit
Prerequisites	None
Core/ Optional	Core
Objectives	Through advanced lessons on prose and verse composition, Students acquire and brush up skills in creative writing in Sanskrit.
Course Content	(a) Translating newspaper articles and other reports in Sinhala and English into Sanskrit and vice versa; (b) Sanskrit compositions in practical applications: Writing Letters, Invitations, Notices, Memorandum etc.; (c) Composing simple Sanskrit verses using frequently employed metres (chandas) like Anuṣṭubh on given topics; (d) Composing essays and fictions collectively; (e) Further developing of vocabulary and sentence structures; (f) Reading, paraphrasing and writing brief comments on Sanskrit verses and parables; (h) Composing individual essays and verses by using less complicated metres such as Mālinī, Mandākrāntā and Vasantatilakā Prescribed Texts: Apte, V. S. 1913. A student’s guide to Sanskrit composition. Bombay: The Oriental Publishing Company. Apte, V. S. 1915. A key to Apte's guide to Sanskrit composition. Bombay: Oriental Publishing Company.
Select English References	None

SKT 499 - Dissertation - II

All students on the special degree program in Sanskrit must write a dissertation of not more than 10,000 words on a topic selected by them and approved by the Department. Further information about this course component can be found in undergraduate handbook. The dissertation should be completed within this semester and submitted.