Sanskrit is often described as the language of yoga, but how much do we really need to know to teach authentically? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Varun Khanna, founder of Sanskrit for Mere Mortals, to explore the relationship between Sanskrit, sound, and yoga. We dive into the stories behind the language, why pronunciation has been given so much importance, and how Sanskrit became associated with power, tradition, and authenticity.
Dr. Khanna also challenges some common assumptions in the yoga world. We discuss whether yoga teachers really need to learn Sanskrit, the role of mantras and vibration, how language can create unnecessary hierarchies, and why understanding the philosophy behind Sanskrit may be more valuable than striving for perfect pronunciation. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by Sanskrit—or wondered how much of it actually matters—this conversation will give you plenty to think about.
Dr. Varun Khanna (@sanskritformeremortals) has been rigorously trained in several traditional Sanskrit-learning environments in India as well as one of the top global institutions in the modern academy. He studied traditional Sanskrit grammar under Dr. Pushpa Dixit in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and did his MPhil in Sanskrit and PhD in Hinduism at the University of Cambridge, UK. Dr. Khanna has been teaching Sanskrit and Sanskrit-related subjects since 2008 and has taught at several leading universities in the USA (University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Haverford College). Dr. Khanna utilizes a unique pedagogical method that he has developed over the last two decades in his courses, and is forever refining it to make Sanskrit and Sanskrit-related learning easier and more accessible for everyone. Dr. Khanna’s current research examines the intersections of Sanskrit and power, whereby he hopes to make the best use of his skills to make the world a better place.