Here's a breakdown of key points:
* Early Vedic Sanskrit (1500-500 BCE): This is the oldest stage of the language, evidenced by the Vedic hymns collected in the Rig Veda. It was primarily a spoken language, and its written form was limited to inscriptions and a few texts.
* Classical Sanskrit (500 BCE - 500 CE): This stage is characterized by the development of a standardized literary language, with a grammar and syntax that closely resembles the Sanskrit we know today. This is the language of the epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and the philosophical and religious texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
* Later Sanskrit: After the 5th century CE, Sanskrit continued to evolve, with regional variations and adaptations emerging. It was used in various forms of literature, philosophy, science, and religion.
It's important to note that:
* Sanskrit is a descendant of Proto-Indo-European: Sanskrit shares common linguistic roots with many other languages across Europe and Asia, including English, German, French, Greek, Latin, Russian, Persian, Hindi, and Bengali.
* The exact timeline is still being researched: Scholars continue to debate the precise dates and stages of Sanskrit's evolution.
Overall, the development of Sanskrit is a complex and fascinating story that spans centuries and has left a lasting impact on languages and cultures across the globe.