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M-A in Sanskrit Studies Sanskrit at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is Sanskrit Studies (Sanskrit) at Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi?
This Sanskrit Studies program at Jawaharlal Nehru University focuses on a comprehensive and critical understanding of ancient Indian knowledge systems, language, and culture. Rooted in India''''s rich intellectual heritage, the program offers a deep dive into Vedic and Classical Sanskrit literature, grammar, philosophy, poetics, and scientific traditions. It stands out for its rigorous textual analysis and interdisciplinary approach, reflecting a growing demand for experts in Indology and cultural preservation.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for humanities graduates, especially those with a background in Sanskrit or related languages, seeking advanced academic and research careers. It also caters to individuals passionate about India''''s cultural and intellectual history, including aspiring educators, researchers, museum curators, and cultural administrators. Professionals in fields like linguistics, philosophy, and history can also benefit, enhancing their understanding of classical Indian thought and its global implications.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India and abroad, including academia (professors, researchers), cultural institutions, archives, and government bodies (e.g., ASI, ICCR). Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 8-15 LPA in research and teaching roles. The program fosters critical thinking, textual analysis, and cross-cultural communication, skills vital for a growing sector focused on heritage management and digital humanities.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Grammatical Principles- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to understanding Paninian grammar (Astadhyayi, Siddhanta Kaumudi). Utilize online resources like JNU''''s library catalogue and traditional commentaries, and practice parsing exercises daily. Form study groups to discuss complex rules and apply them to Vedic and classical texts.
Tools & Resources
Ashtadhyayi, Laghusiddhanta Kaumudi, JNU Library Sanskrit Collection, Peer study groups
Career Connection
A strong grammatical foundation is indispensable for all advanced Sanskrit studies, research, and teaching roles, enabling accurate interpretation of complex texts critical for academic and heritage sectors.
Engage with Foundational Texts Critically- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond rote memorization, focus on critical analysis of foundational texts in philosophy, literature, and Vedic studies. Participate actively in seminars, debate different interpretations, and write short analytical essays. Attend guest lectures and workshops by visiting scholars to gain diverse perspectives on traditional knowledge systems.
Tools & Resources
Primary Sanskrit texts, Critical editions, Scholarly journals, JNU Centre for Sanskrit Studies events
Career Connection
Develops research acumen and analytical skills, crucial for academic careers, research positions, and content development in Indology.
Develop Strong Sanskrit Reading & Comprehension- (Semester 1-2)
Read a variety of Sanskrit texts daily, starting with simpler classical kavyas and gradually moving to more complex philosophical or technical literature. Practice reading aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency. Translate passages regularly and compare with scholarly translations to refine comprehension and linguistic nuance.
Tools & Resources
sanskritdocuments.org, gretil.sub.uni-goettingen.de, JNU faculty recommended readers, Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary
Career Connection
Essential for all roles involving Sanskrit, from teaching and research to archival work and cultural communication, ensuring proficiency in handling diverse textual traditions.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize in an Area of Interest- (Semester 3)
Choose electives in Semester 3 strategically based on your emerging research interests (e.g., specific philosophical school, poetics, or Tantra). Deepen your knowledge in these chosen areas by reading specialized secondary literature, engaging with faculty mentors, and identifying potential research problems for a future dissertation or M.Phil.
Tools & Resources
JNU faculty expertise, Advanced research papers, Specialized monographs, Academic databases (JSTOR, Google Scholar)
Career Connection
This specialization helps carve out a niche, making you a focused candidate for PhD programs or specialized research positions in your chosen field.
Engage in Textual and Manuscript Research- (Semester 3)
If opportunities arise, participate in projects involving critical edition work, manuscript cataloguing, or textual criticism. Visit libraries with Sanskrit manuscript collections (e.g., National Mission for Manuscripts, Asiatic Society) to gain practical experience in handling and analyzing original sources.
Tools & Resources
National Mission for Manuscripts, JNU Library Special Collections, ignca.nic.in for digital manuscripts
Career Connection
Develops essential skills for roles in archives, libraries, academic publishing, and research institutions focused on heritage preservation and documentation.
Present Research at Seminars- (Semester 3)
Prepare and present short papers or research proposals on your chosen topics in departmental seminars or student colloquia. Seek feedback from professors and peers to refine your presentation skills and scholarly arguments. This builds confidence and provides early experience in academic discourse.
Tools & Resources
Presentation software, JNU departmental seminars, Student research forums
Career Connection
Crucial for building an academic profile, preparing for PhD interviews, and becoming a confident communicator in any professional setting.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Dissertation/Research Project- (Semester 4)
If permitted, opt for a Dissertation (SS 550) in your final semester. This involves identifying a unique research question, conducting in-depth literature review, analyzing primary Sanskrit texts, and writing an original thesis under faculty guidance. This is the capstone of your research training.
Tools & Resources
JNU Research Guidelines, Extensive library resources, Faculty supervisors, Research proposal templates
Career Connection
A strong dissertation is a powerful credential for PhD applications, research fellowships, and demonstrates independent research capabilities highly valued in academia and think tanks.
Network with Scholars and Professionals- (Semester 4)
Attend national and international conferences, workshops, and colloquia related to Sanskrit Studies and Indology. Network with established scholars, present your research, and explore potential collaborations. Build professional relationships that can open doors to post-doctoral opportunities or academic positions.
Tools & Resources
Academic conference listings (JNU announcements, Indology forums), LinkedIn for academics, Professional associations
Career Connection
Essential for career advancement in academia, research, and cultural diplomacy, providing visibility and access to opportunities.
Prepare for NET/JRF and Further Studies- (Semester 4)
Alongside your coursework, systematically prepare for the UGC NET/JRF examination, which is a prerequisite for assistant professorships and research fellowships in India. Solve previous year''''s papers, review core concepts, and consider enrolling in mock test series. Start exploring PhD programs and application requirements.
Tools & Resources
UGC NET/JRF official syllabus, Previous year question papers, Coaching materials, JNU career counseling
Career Connection
Directly enables entry into the Indian academic system as a lecturer or provides funding for doctoral research, accelerating your career in Sanskrit Studies.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline under 10+2+3 pattern of education with at least 50% marks. Students with B.A. (Hons.)/ B.A. in Sanskrit will be given due weightage.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 401 | History of Sanskrit Literature (Upto 6th Century A.D.) | Core | 4 | Vedic Literature, Epic Literature (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Puranas and Upapuranas, Classical Sanskrit Poetry (Kalidasa, Bhasa), Scientific and Technical Literature |
| SS 403 | Sanskrit Grammar (Vedic and Classical) | Core | 4 | Paninian Grammar (Astadhyayi, Siddhanta Kaumudi), Vedic Grammar peculiarities, Sandhi and Samasa, Karaka system, Syntactic Structures |
| SS 405 | Indian Philosophy (General) | Core | 4 | Astika and Nastika Schools, Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Samkhya-Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta, Buddhist and Jaina Philosophy |
| SS 407 | Epigraphy, Palaeography and Numismatics (Sanskrit) | Core | 4 | Brahmi and Kharoshthi Scripts, Gupta and Post-Gupta Scripts, Inscriptions and Grants, Coinage and its significance, Evolution of Writing in India |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 402 | History of Sanskrit Literature (7th Century A.D. Onwards) | Core | 4 | Post-Kalidasa Kavya (Bhavabhuti, Bana), Sanskrit Drama (Harsha, Vishakhadatta), Prose Literature and Campu Kavya, Historical Kavyas and Biographies, Later Philosophical and Scientific Works |
| SS 404 | Sanskrit Poetics and Literary Criticism | Core | 4 | Rasa Siddhanta (Bharata, Abhinavagupta), Dhvani Siddhanta (Anandavardhana), Alankaras and Riti, Vakrokti and Auchitya, Western Literary Theories in Comparison |
| SS 406 | Vedic Studies | Core | 4 | Rgveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, Brahmanas and Aranyakas, Principal Upanishads, Vedic Rituals and Cosmology, Vedic Philology and Interpretation |
| SS 408 | Critical Edition and Textual Criticism of Sanskrit Texts | Core | 4 | Manuscriptology and Palaeography, Principles of Textual Criticism, Collation and Variances, Editing Sanskrit Texts, History of Critical Editions in India |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 501 | Sanskrit Grammar (Advanced) | Elective | 4 | Mahabhashya and Vakyapadiya, Sphota Theory, Advanced Paninian Concepts, Nyasa and Linguistic Philosophy, Commentarial Tradition on Grammar |
| SS 503 | Indian Aesthetics | Elective | 4 | Rasa and Bhava Theories, Alankaras, Gunas, Ritis, Natyashastra and Shilpashastra, Aesthetics in Visual Arts (Chitra Sutra), Comparative Aesthetics |
| SS 505 | Dharma Shastra | Elective | 4 | Manu Smriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti, Sources of Dharma, Vyavahara (Jurisprudence), Rajadharma (Ethics of Governance), Social and Ethical Norms |
| SS 507 | Tantra Shastra | Elective | 4 | Agamas and Nigamas, Tantric Philosophy and Practices, Mantra, Yantra, Mandala, Shaktism and Shaivism, Tantric Literature and Rituals |
| SS 509 | Nyaya-Vaisheshika | Elective | 4 | Pramanas (Perception, Inference), Padarthas (Categories of Existence), Theory of Causation, Atomism (Vaisheshika), God and Liberation |
| SS 511 | Samkhya-Yoga | Elective | 4 | Prakriti and Purusha, Gunas and Evolution, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Ashtanga Yoga and Meditation, Kaivalya (Liberation) |
| SS 513 | Mimamsa | Elective | 4 | Dharma and Vedic Injunctions, Shabda (Word) as Pramana, Bhavana and Apurva, Ritual Interpretation, Purva Mimamsa Philosophy |
| SS 515 | Vedanta | Elective | 4 | Brahma Sutras and Upanishads, Advaita Vedanta (Shankara), Vishishtadvaita (Ramanuja), Dvaita (Madhva), Concept of Atman and Brahman |
| SS 517 | Buddhist Sanskrit Literature | Elective | 4 | Tripitaka and Mahayana Sutras, Ashvaghosha and Nagarjuna, Madhyamaka and Yogacara Schools, Shantideva and Buddhist Ethics, Development of Buddhist Philosophy |
| SS 519 | Jaina Sanskrit Literature | Elective | 4 | Jaina Agamas and Tattvarthasutra, Syadvada and Anekantavada, Karma Theory in Jainism, Digambara and Svetambara Traditions, Jaina Ethics and Philosophy |
| SS 521 | Sanskrit and Computer Applications | Elective | 4 | Natural Language Processing for Sanskrit, Computational Linguistics, Sanskrit Parsing and Morphological Analysis, Digital Humanities and Sanskrit, Script Recognition and Text Conversion |
| SS 523 | Sanskrit and Indology | Elective | 4 | History of Western Indology, Orientalism and its Critique, Indological Studies in Post-Colonial India, Contemporary Debates in Indology, Interdisciplinary Approaches to Indian Knowledge |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 502 | Sanskrit Grammar (Recitation and Interpretation of Sanskrit Texts) | Elective | 4 | Patha, Kramapatha, Jatapatha Traditions, Oral Transmission of Vedic Texts, Techniques of Textual Exegesis, Role of Commentaries, Performance Aspects of Sanskrit |
| SS 504 | Indian Theatre and Dramaturgy | Elective | 4 | Natyashastra of Bharata, Elements of Sanskrit Drama (Rasa, Bhava), Major Sanskrit Playwrights (Kalidasa, Bhasa), Performance Traditions and Techniques, Comparative Study of Theatre |
| SS 506 | Artha Shastra and Niti Shastra | Elective | 4 | Kautilya''''s Arthashastra, Principles of Statecraft and Governance, Diplomacy and Warfare, Ethical Governance (Niti Shastra), Economic and Social Policies |
| SS 508 | Purana Itihasa | Elective | 4 | Nature and Classification of Puranas, Cosmology and Cosmogony, Genealogies of Gods and Sages, Historical Narratives in Puranas, Cultural and Religious Significance |
| SS 510 | Advanced Nyaya-Vaisheshika | Elective | 4 | Navya Nyaya (New Logic), Gangesa Upadhyaya and Tattvacintamani, Theory of Universals (Samanya), Proof for God''''s Existence, Advanced Epistemology and Ontology |
| SS 512 | Advanced Samkhya-Yoga | Elective | 4 | Yoga Vashishtha, Hathayoga and Tantric Yoga, Kundalini and Chakras, Advanced Meditation Techniques, Samkhya Karika and Commentaries |
| SS 514 | Advanced Mimamsa | Elective | 4 | Shabda-Brahma Doctrine, Mimamsa Principles in Law and Ethics, Hermeneutics of Vedic Texts, Theory of Sentence Meaning, Bhatta and Prabhakara Schools |
| SS 516 | Advanced Vedanta | Elective | 4 | Gaudapada Karika and Mandukya Upanishad, Advaita Siddhi, Post-Shankara Advaita Developments, Schools of Vedanta (Dvaitadvaita, Shuddhadvaita), Comparative Study of Vedanta Traditions |
| SS 518 | Vedic Philology and Interpretation | Elective | 4 | Sayana''''s Commentary on Vedas, Nirukta and Etymology, Vedic Phonetics and Prosody, Semantic Development of Vedic Words, Dialectology of Vedic Language |
| SS 520 | Pali and Prakrit | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Pali Language, Buddhist Canonical Texts in Pali, Introduction to Prakrit Languages, Magadhi and Ardhamagadhi, Comparative Linguistics of Middle Indo-Aryan |
| SS 522 | Manuscriptology | Elective | 4 | Cataloguing and Archiving Manuscripts, Preservation and Conservation Techniques, Digitalization of Manuscripts, Dating of Manuscripts, Textual Reconstruction from Manuscripts |
| SS 524 | Indian Scientific Tradition (Sanskrit) | Elective | 4 | Indian Astronomy (Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta), Indian Mathematics (Bhaskara, Kerala School), Ayurveda (Charaka, Sushruta), Metallurgy and Alchemy, Architecture and Vastu Shastra |
| SS 550 | Dissertation | Project | 8 | Research Methodology, Literature Review, Data Collection and Analysis, Thesis Writing and Presentation, Original Contribution to Knowledge |
