Decline of Spoken Sanskrit: Over the centuries, the Prakrits underwent language change to a degree that vernaculars(native language of a country) and Sanskrit ceased to be intercomprehensible and
had to be learned as a separate language, rather than a distinguished or noble register of the
popular language.A possible clue to termination of Sanskrit as a spoken language is provided by Kalhana who
describes Samkaravarman (883–902) as:
“Thus this [king], who did not speak the language of the gods but used vulgar speech fit for
drunkards, showed that he was descended from a family of spirit-distillers”.
Traces of spoken Sanskrit Now
Sanskrit is used as everyday spoken language in the village of Mathoor near Shimoga in Karnataka state, southern India and in Jhiri Village in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district of India. Inhabitants of all castes learn Sanskrit starting in childhood and converse in the language.