From Beginner to Beyond

At Samskrita Bharati, people often ask: Can completing just a beginner-level Samskritam class (at a family camp or a Sambhāṣaṇa-Śibiram) really launch you on a deeper Samskritam journey? The answer is a resounding yes, as long as you follow up with regular classes and steady practice. Here are a few inspiring examples of what continued learning can achieve –

1. Kālidāsa-Goṣṭhī – To mark Kālidāsa Day (observed in Bhāratam and abroad on the first day of Āṣāḍha), our Prauḍha-Śikṣaṇa Vibhāga hosted a special Kālidāsa‐Goṣṭhī. Volunteers (who began their Samskritam journey in a beginner class and kept studying) presented their insights into Kālidāsa’s views on everything from poetry to philosophy, all in pure Samskritam.
2. Weekly Youth Meetups for Pratimālā-Spardhā – Young learners (ages 16–28) who started with our children’s classes or the SAFL program are now meeting every week this summer. They are training to take part in Pratimālā-Spardhā, the Samskritam version of the traditional antākṣarī-game.
3. SAFL Newsletter Contributions – Students in our SAFL (Samskrit-as-a-Foreign-Language) program are writing articles in Samskritam and getting them published in the SAFL Newsletter. Check out past issues here: https://samskritabharatiusa.org/index.php/safl-newsletter-published-editions
4. Preparing for Śabda-Spardhā – Children from chapters across the country are busy gearing up to compete in Śabda-Spardhā, Samskrita Bharati’s own spelling-bee-style contest in Samskritam. Learn a new Samskritam Word daily. Free & Open to all (Kids and Adults). Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/SanskritWordBeeRegister

These initiatives show that a single beginner class can spark a lifelong passion and real proficiency in Samskritam if you keep learning and practicing. Come join us!