Sanskrit is a classical language developed in the Indus valley region, which is now Pakistan and India. Sanskrit is a language used by religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Vedic Sanskrit is the earliest form of this language. Rigveda, the oldest version of the Sanskrit language dates back to before 1700 BC.
Classical Sanskrit, considered a descendant of Vedic Sanskrit is composed largely of Sanskrit of the Hindu epics. Ramayana and Mahabharata are considered the two main epic poems of Classical Sanskrit. Ramayana a poem largely attributed to the poet Valmiki consists of 24,000 verses about Prince Rama whose wife is kidnapped by demon.
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Mahabharata, the larger of the two Sanskrit epics, contains 74,000 verses. Mahabharata discusses human endeavors such as harmony, wealth, pleasure and liberation and compares the relationship of individuals to society and the workings of Karma via mythological means. These epics are of great importance to Nepal and Indian cultures and are a large part of Hinduism texts.
Some consider Sanskrit a dead language. However, the use of Sanskrit continues in Hindu rituals as hymns and mantras. Traditional institutions in India still use spoken Sanskrit. Like classical Latin or Greek languages in Europe, Sanskrit is a language of scholars and higher education.
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