Learn Sanskrit Online

its great that such a resource exists. However when you want to learn a language that is still used and has similar grammar features you might want to opt for something like icelandic or polish.

Then also Turkish (although not indo-european) might be interesting since it has a really logical and regular grammar.

I know nothing about Sanskrit to verify or refute what you claim, but why the negative attitude? This resource seems good. Maybe people are interested in Sanskrit just for the sake of learning it? Maybe some people want to learn Sanskrit and not other languages of south India, or Estonian, or Modern Standard Chinese.

I'm not aware of what the "usual Hindutva nonsense" is. I'm going to guess there's a group of people in India who think Sanskrit and/or Hindu culture are the best thing since sliced bread. Who cares? When fans of a language, culture (or technology! :P ) are trying to convince you to learn it, they will sometimes make highly biased claims. This is to be expected.

The only thing that would matter to me is if someone claimed this particular resource for learning Sanskrit is not very good, is hard to follow, or has many mistakes.

>>Sanskrit is incredibly practical for lots of reasons.

Well forget Sanskrit for just one minute. The utility of any language in the modern world today, apart from day-to-day conversation(Which happens only because that's the only language accessible to kids at birth through their parents) by and large depends on what scientific, economic, art and other kind of growth happens in that language.

Nearly all Indian languages lack vocabulary for most common objects. We don't have words for mobile phones, cars, buses, microwave ovens etc.. the list is endless. By and large any Indian language today looks like English words connected through that language's grammar.

Nearly all Indian languages are practically useless for any kind of serious work. You can't do any scientific work in it, no serious text books on any topic are ever written in it, You can't use these languages to get any kind of serious work done. In short these language only work for local communication with the help of English vocabulary added to local language.

There is large body of ancient Sanskrit literature that is very interesting and ubique. Some of the poetry and prose like Kalidasa, Jayadeva etc. are exquisite.

If you are interested in Yoga, Meditation - you will appreciate the ability study the original texts. Yoga is now a global phenomenon and I personally know many people in the west and elsewhere study Patanjali and other texts.

There is great body of ancient knowledge (like Upanishads) on philosophy, the nature of mind, ego and the true nature one's self which is very unique.

The original texts for the ancient science of Ayurveda are in Sanskrit. There are many good universities in India that offer degrees in Ayurveda and Sanskrit is a prerequisite for studying Ayurveda.

There are several ancient astronomical and mathematical texts in Sanskrit like Sulaba Sutra etc. which are very interesting.

In the Indian tradition all rituals and rites of passage like birth, naming, marriage etc. are in Sanskrit and used on a daily basis although very few people speak the language.

India has an ancient system of classical music which is actively pursued and enjoyed by millions. Many compositions that people learn and sing are in Sanskrit.

Tritiya just means third.