(c) Sanskrit Manual, A Quick-reference Guide to the Phonology and Grammar of Classical Sanskrit, George S. Bucknell, Motilal Banarsidass: 254 pages, hardcover. As the title implies, it is a reference work containing many tables of noun declension and verb conjugation, with indices linking noun- and verb-endings and verb stems to the paradigm tables. A useful tool to determine the prdtipadika forms of nouns, tense etc. of verbs, from inflected words. (d) Teach Yourself Sanskrit, Michael Coulson, Hodder and Stoughton: 493 pages, paperback. This covers the grammar of Classical Sanskrit in some detail. Each chapter has translation exercises into and out of Sanskrit, with answers given at the back of the book. As a 'part-time' student studying alone, this is a 'hard' book because of its style, depth, and large vocabulary. It is useful as a semi-reference book when examining a particular concept in depth: the next book is a lot easier for general study. (e) A Rapid Sanskrit Method, George L. Hart, Motilal Banarsidass: 208 pages, paperback. Divided into thirty lessons, each introducing one or two topics, this book gives a broad understanding of the language without getting bogged down in details and exceptions. Each lesson has translation exercises, in both directions, but answers are not provided. (f) LaghukaumudT of Varadaraja, translated by James R. Ballantyne, Motilal Banarsidass: 451 pages, hardcover or paperback. This contains approximately one third of the sutras of Panini's Astadhyayi gathered together thematically to exhaustively explain word formations in Classical Sanskrit; the text and commentary are in devanagari with English translation. This is an exacting work and not to be tackled lightly, but is essential study to penetrate to the full spiritual significance of words. For further scriptural study, the Bhagavad Glta with Samkara's commentary in translation by A.M.Sastry is published by Samata Books; the major Upanisads are published with word-by- word translations of Swam! Sarvananda etc., by Sri Ramakrishna Math; or with Samkara's commentary by Advaita Ashrama (Eight Principal Upanisads, and Chhandogya, by Swam! Gambhlrananda; Brhadaranyaka by Swam! Madhavananda).
