Read the sacred script

Learn to read Sanskrit

The script of the mantras is not as far off as it looks. Over fifteen short days you learn Devanagari the way it was always taught, by its sounds. You hear each letter, say it back, and a little at a time the marks turn into words. By the end you can read and recite a basic mantra for yourself.

A few quiet minutes a day, and your progress stays on your own device.

Begin day one

The path

Fifteen short days, in the order the mouth makes the sounds. Day one is open now; the rest arrive soon.

Part one · the vowels

  1. 1 The open vowelsअ आ इ ई Start →
  2. 2The rounded vowelsउ ऊ ऋSoon
  3. 3The gliding vowelsए ऐ ओ औSoon
  4. 4Two marksअं अःSoon

Part two · the consonants

  1. 5Throat soundsक ख ग घ ङSoon
  2. 6Palate soundsच छ ज झ ञSoon
  3. 7Curled soundsट ठ ड ढ णSoon
  4. 8Teeth soundsत थ द ध नSoon
  5. 9Lip soundsप फ ब भ मSoon
  6. 10Curled against teeththe retroflex and dental rows, side by sideSoon
  7. 11Gliding consonantsय र ल वSoon
  8. 12Hissing sounds and breathश ष स हSoon

Part three · putting letters together

  1. 13Vowel signs, part oneका कि की कु कूSoon
  2. 14Vowel signs, part twothen read ॐ नमः शिवायSoon
  3. 15Joined lettersconjuncts, the ॐ sign, and your first mantra in fullSoon

Day one

The open vowels

Four sounds to start, in two short pairs. Hear each one, then say it back in the quiet. Take your time and let your own voice match it.

Continue Breathe a line from the Gita for wherever you are today