Why Sanskrit?

At the Root of European

SANSKRIT ROOTS:

Languages

Independent Schools

dau

- give

Sanskrit Root:

www.stjamesschools.co.uk

dau

na - gift

Sanskrit stands at the root of very

Sanskrit Word:

Why Sanskrit?

donum - gift

Latin:

many eastern and western languages,

donner - to give

French:

including English and most other

donate, dose, dedicate, etc.

English:

European languages, classical or

modern. Its study illuminates their

Parents often ask why we

grammar and etymology.

teach Sanskrit at St James.

sthau

- stand still

Sanskrit Root:

sthau

nam - resting place

Sanskrit Word:

Here are a few answers...

sto - I stand

Latin:

stehen - I stand

German:

stand, steady, stool, staff etc.

English:

vah - carrying

Sanskrit Root:

vau

hana - vehicle

Sanskrit Word:

veho - I carry

Latin:

Wagen - waggon

German/French:

vehicle, vein, etc.

English:

All be happy.

Innumerable English words can be

All be without disease.

shown to derive from forms still extant

All creatures have wellbeing.

in Sanskrit.

None have misery of any kind.

An Education in Beauty

A New View of the World

A Matchless Literature

Sanskrit is full of beauty: beauty of sound,

Sanskrit literature expresses a refreshing

Sanskrit has one of the richest and

of structure, of script, of poetry and of

and unique view of human nature and

most extensive literatures of all known

purpose.

languages. It introduces children to

prose. Such beauty opens the heart.

vast epics, profound scripture, subtle

philosophy, voluminous mythology,

A Language of Impeccable

exquisite poetry and much else.

Academic Credentials

Sanskrit is highly respected by the

A Systematic Grammar

academic community. It often forms

a point of interest, comment and

The word ‘Sanskrit’ means ‘perfectly

admiration when St James pupils are

constructed’. Study of its grammar

interviewed for university admission.

brings order to the mind and clarifies

the thinking.

From the ISI...

In an era of unprecedented change

In 2004 the Independent Schools Inspectorate

said of Sanskrit at St James Junior Schools:

and uncertainty, this offers our pupils

a valuable tool by which to assess and

‘Across the age range, pupils are wholly

look afresh at their own society.

motivated, utterly absorbed in and intrigued by

what they are doing. Their concentration is often

intense and their behaviour is immaculate. Even

Sanskrit literature embodies a

the youngest pupils ask questions freely.

’

comprehensive map of the human

makeup: spiritual, emotional, mental

‘Several pupils were audibly disappointed when

their lesson had to end. One girl in Year 5

and physical. It presents a new way of

explained to the inspector, ‘I love Sanskrit. It is

understanding our relation to the rest of

one of my favourite subjects - it is so exciting.

’

creation and lays out the laws productive

of a happy life.

Ex-pupils of St James now studying Sanskrit at Oxford University