It depends on the purpose for which you wish to learn Sanskrit.
Spoken Sanskrit is relatively easy to learn and can be learned within a month.
Most people learn Sanskrit to read the Vedas, Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayana, Puranas etc in their original form. But what most don't know is that there are two types of Sanskrit literature - Vedic and Non vedic or classical Sanskrit. Vedic literature includes the Vedas and Upanishads. They are oldest layer of literature in Sanskrit language. Classical literature includes Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, literature of Kalidasa, Dandi, Bharavi etc. Vedic Sanskrit is difficult to read and understand than classical Sanskrit.
In case of learning durations, it can take around 6 months of regular study to understand the basics of Sanskrit to a level where you can read and understand simple Sanskrit texts and shlokas on your own. Texts like Ramayan and Bhagavad Geeta can be considered on an intermediate level difficulty and they may take around 2 years of Sanskrit study after which you can start to understand them on your own.
To learn Vedic Sanskrit, you must first master the classical Sanskrit. You can't directly study vedic Sanskrit. To understand Vedic literature, it can take around 6 to 8 years of consistent study of Sanskrit language.
Overall, it takes regularity and consistency to learn any language - including Sanskrit. With a heritage of more than 3 to 5 thousand years, Sanskrit language is a treasure trove of knowledge and literature. As we move back in time, the difficulty level of Sanskrit literature increases. It definitely takes time to understand something that has been written thousands of years ago!
Spoken Sanskrit is relatively easy to learn and can be learned within a month.
Most people learn Sanskrit to read the Vedas, Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayana, Puranas etc in their original form. But what most don't know is that there are two types of Sanskrit literature - Vedic and Non vedic or classical Sanskrit. Vedic literature includes the Vedas and Upanishads. They are oldest layer of literature in Sanskrit language. Classical literature includes Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, literature of Kalidasa, Dandi, Bharavi etc. Vedic Sanskrit is difficult to read and understand than classical Sanskrit.
In case of learning durations, it can take around 6 months of regular study to understand the basics of Sanskrit to a level where you can read and understand simple Sanskrit texts and shlokas on your own. Texts like Ramayan and Bhagavad Geeta can be considered on an intermediate level difficulty and they may take around 2 years of Sanskrit study after which you can start to understand them on your own.
To learn Vedic Sanskrit, you must first master the classical Sanskrit. You can't directly study vedic Sanskrit. To understand Vedic literature, it can take around 6 to 8 years of consistent study of Sanskrit language.
Overall, it takes regularity and consistency to learn any language - including Sanskrit. With a heritage of more than 3 to 5 thousand years, Sanskrit language is a treasure trove of knowledge and literature. As we move back in time, the difficulty level of Sanskrit literature increases. It definitely takes time to understand something that has been written thousands of years ago!