MA in Sanskrit

M.A. in Sanskrit at Central Department of Sanskrit, Tribhuvan University

M.A. in Sanskrit, Central Department of Sanskrit, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, stands as the university’s main postgraduate teaching centre for Sanskrit within the TU system. The department has a long academic association with TU’s growth and remains connected to a wider national network of TU-affiliated Sanskrit departments. The document notes that around fifty Sanskrit departments are affiliated to TU, while the Central Department itself conducts M.A.-level classes.

Students who enter this program usually look for more than language mastery. Students often want a clear path toward teaching, research, translation, manuscript-related work, or deeper study of Vedic, philosophical, and literary traditions. The course structure discussed in the document signals a balanced academic route that moves from core textual and linguistic foundations to specialised areas and research-oriented development across four semesters.

Highlights

• M.A. classes are conducted at the Central Department itself.

• The program follows a semester-based cycle with a clear subject progression.

• The curriculum includes Vedic studies, grammar, literature, linguistics, poetics, philosophy, ethics, epigraphy, translation, and manuscript editing.

• The third semester includes a choice between a short research thesis and original creative writing.

• The department organises seminars and publishes the annual magazine Sanskrita-Surabhi.

• Scholarships are available for deserving students under TU rules.

Curriculum Details

The document presents an outline of the M.A. course cycle. Students can use this as a reliable map of the academic direction of the program.

First Semester

The first semester lays the foundation in major knowledge blocks:

• Vedic Literature (Course Code 551)

• Sanskrit Grammar (Course Code 552)

• Sanskrit Literature (Course Code 553)

• Linguistics (Course Code 554)

This stage usually helps you strengthen reading discipline, develop academic clarity in grammatical structures, and connect literary texts with language history and linguistic thought.

Second Semester

The second semester develops depth in the same core areas and introduces literary theory more directly:

• Vedic Literature II (Course Code 555)

• Sanskrit Grammar II (Course Code 556)

• Sanskrit Literature II (Course Code 557)

• Poetics or Kavyashastra (Course Code 558)

Students often find this semester academically demanding because it asks for stronger interpretive skills and more confident textual handling.

Third Semester

The third semester expands toward philosophy, ethics, and research-related study:

• Philosophy or Darshanashastra (Course Code 559)

• Ethics or Niti Shastra (Course Code 560)

• Epigraphy and Research Methodology (Course Code 561)

The document lists a major academic choice at this stage:

• Short Research Thesis

• Original Creative Writing

The creative writing options listed in the document include:

• Short epic (Khandakavya)

• Poetry collection

• Essay collection

• Short novel collection

• Play writing

• Story collection

The document also lists Translation and Manuscript Editing in the third semester, both shown with Course Code 562.

Fourth Semester

The fourth semester is shown as a Samasatra unit with specialised Vedic-focused papers:

• Vedic Grammar and Etymology (Course Code 563-1)

• Vedic Philosophy (Course Code 563-2)

• Vedic Study Tradition (Course Code 563-3)

• Vedic Samhitas and Upanishads (Course Code 563-4)

The document also indicates that papers are classified across areas such as Sanskrit Literature, Poetics, Grammar, Philosophy, Ethics, and Puranas based on subject nature.

Objectives

The M.A. in Sanskrit at the Central Department aims to support advanced academic literacy in classical texts, language systems, and philosophical thought across established traditions within the TU framework. The course structure shows steady movement from foundational study to research-based academic work.

The department’s broader academic practice includes seminars and yearly publication work, which can help students learn scholarly communication beyond coursework.

Scope

Students who want a structured postgraduate academic route in Sanskrit within Nepal often look toward the Central Department because it is the centre where M.A. classes are run within TU’s core Sanskrit setup.

The document also notes the department’s intention to prepare a proposal for a Vidyavaridhi (Ph.D.) program after approval from concerned bodies. This information matters for students who wish to plan a longer academic journey within the TU system.

Learning Outcomes

The document outlines clear academic outcomes associated with postgraduate Sanskrit study. Students become familiar with major philosophical traditions such as Charvaka, Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedanta.

Students also gain familiarity with the Rigveda and other Vedas and engage with Brahmana texts, Aranyakas, Upanishads, and Puranas as part of deeper textual learning.

The literature and poetics area highlights advanced classical works and theoretical texts such as Kiratarjuniya, Shishupalavadha, Naishadhacharita, Saundarananda, Harshacharita, Dashakumaracharita, Sahityadarpana, Dasharupaka, Kavyalankara, Kavyaprakasha, and Vakroktijivita.

Skill Development Modules

The curriculum suggests several academic skill tracks that students can build across semesters:

• Advanced Sanskrit reading and interpretation through Vedic and literary papers.

• Analytical writing and argument-building through philosophy, ethics, and poetics.

• Research planning and method discipline through Epigraphy and Research Methodology.

• Scholarly translation and text preparation skills through Translation and Manuscript Editing.

• Creative scholarly expression for students who select the original writing option.

Teaching Methodology

The document notes that the department has adopted methods over time to present Eastern literature in ways that match modern academic patterns and has followed related academic procedures with care.

Students can expect classroom teaching to be supported by seminar culture and academic discussion. The document highlights increased interaction with other departments and a growing environment of mutual discussion.

Admission Requirements

The document does not list detailed eligibility rules for the M.A. program. Students should follow official TU and departmental admission notices for updated criteria, document requirements, and timelines. The Central Department’s role as the M.A. teaching centre is clearly stated.

Career Opportunities

The curriculum’s academic breadth supports multiple professional directions for students, based on interest and further training:

• Teaching at secondary, higher secondary, and campus levels after meeting relevant national requirements

• Research work in universities, academic projects, and cultural institutions

• Translation and editorial roles connected to classical texts

• Manuscript-related work in libraries, archives, and heritage projects

The presence of research methodology, translation, and manuscript editing in the course cycle strengthens these pathways.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The department provides scholarships for deserving candidates under TU rules and regulations. Students should check current TU notices for categories, eligibility, and application steps.

Reasons Students Consider This Course

Students who want a strong postgraduate base in Sanskrit within TU often consider this program for clear academic reasons:

• The Central Department is the M.A. teaching centre within TU’s Sanskrit structure.

• The curriculum covers both textual traditions and research-related development.

• The third-semester choice allows students to follow a research path or a creative academic path.

• The department runs seminars and publishes Sanskrita-Surabhi yearly, which supports academic exposure.

Conclusion

M.A. in Sanskrit, Central Department of Sanskrit, Tribhuvan University, offers a structured and academically grounded postgraduate route for students who want serious engagement with Sanskrit language, literature, Vedic traditions, and philosophical thought. The four-semester course cycle described in the document shows clear progression from foundational study to advanced specialisation and research-oriented learning.

Students who value seminar participation, academic writing, and long-term research planning can find this department relevant within Nepal’s public university context. The stated plan to prepare a Vidyavaridhi proposal also signals continued academic expansion within TU’s Sanskrit ecosystem.

FAQ

1. Where is the Central Department of Sanskrit located?

The department is located at Tribhuvan University’s University Campus in Kirtipur, Kathmandu.

2. Does the Central Department conduct bachelor-level classes in Sanskrit?

The document states that only M.A.-level classes are conducted at the Central Department itself.

3. What special academic option is available in the third semester?

Students choose between a short research thesis and original creative writing, with six creative writing formats listed in the document.

4. Does the M.A. curriculum include translation and manuscript-related study?

Yes. The document lists Translation and Manuscript Editing in the third semester.

5. Are scholarships available for M.A. students?

The department provides scholarships for deserving candidates under TU rules and regulations.