Course: MEIS-UA 718 or RELST-UA 335
An introductory course designed to acquaint students with the great works of the Ancient Indian literary tradition, a major part of which was composed and written in Sanskrit. The earliest form of that language, called Vedic Sanskrit, is the language of the Vedic hymns, especially those of the Rig Veda. Sanskrit has had an unbroken literary tradition for over 3,000 years. Works from this rich and vast literary, religious, and philosophical heritage are introduced in this course. Selections from the Vedic literature, classical drama, epics, story literature, and lyric poetry are studied in English translation. In addition, students work with excerpts from the Jain and Buddhist canons and didactic stories written in Prakrits as well as examples of Tamil poetry in English translation.