Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that is considered the liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The Vedic hymns, which are the oldest surviving texts of the Indo-Aryan tradition, were composed in Sanskrit. These hymns, along with other sacred texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, have played a significant role in shaping the cultural and religious landscape of South Asia.