This article examines why the story of Nala in the Mahabharata, particularly the first five episodes excerpted in A Sanskrit Reader by Charles Rockwell Lanman, has long still been a widely used exercise text in Sanskrit grammar studies despite the grammatical inconsistencies found in the Mahabharata. The study also evaluates the suitability of the text for contemporary Sanskrit learning within the combination of research methodologies, i.e., textual criticism, grammatical analysis, and pedagogical evaluation. The findings reveal that the text stays popular because its narrative structure as an ancient tale is accessible, holds limited figurative language, and simultaneously proves elements of Indian rhetoric. In addition, the language used in the text gradually introduces most major grammatical topics, making it pedagogically effective for learners. Nevertheless, certain limitations persist, particularly the use of diverse finite verb forms and nonclassical linguistic features. Therefore, effective use of the text requires some guidance from instructors and close reference to Lanman’s explanatory notes and appendix. The study concludes that the continued use of the Nala story as a Sanskrit grammatical exercise is still proper if it is employed under suitable instructional conditions. The author continues to advocate the adaptation of classical texts for grammatical exercises in classical language learning, arguing that this helps demonstrate the inseparable relationship between language and literature, which were not divided in the classical world.

Authors:
Nawin Bosakaranat, Chiang Mai University, Thailand

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Posted by James Alexander Gordon

Last updated: 2023-02-23 23:45:00

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