Why Spaced Repetition?
The forgetting curve — first measured by Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885 — shows that memory decays exponentially without review. Spaced repetition defeats this by scheduling each review just before the memory would fade, extending retention exponentially with each repetition.
This is the same algorithm powering Anki (used by medical students worldwide), Duolingo, and now Practice Gita.
Applied to Sanskrit
Sanskrit has additional memorization dimensions compared to modern languages:
- Script (Devanagari) — a new alphabet for most learners
- Phonetics — long vowels, retroflex consonants, and sandhi (sound combining) rules
- Meaning — often non-literal; a word's philosophical sense may differ from its dictionary meaning
Practice Gita's spaced repetition system tracks all three dimensions independently:
- You might know the sound of a verse but not its meaning — the system identifies this and drills meaning separately
- You might know the English but struggle with the Devanagari — the system focuses there
The SM-2 Algorithm
Practice Gita implements the SM-2 algorithm (the core of Anki and SuperMemo). After each review, you rate how easily you recalled the verse. The algorithm adjusts the next review interval accordingly:
- Easy recall → interval doubles or triples
- Difficult recall → interval resets shorter
Over months, well-known verses require review only once a month or less. New or difficult verses stay in the weekly rotation until consolidated.
Getting Started
The recommended starting point is Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga), specifically from verse 11 onwards. Chapter 2 contains the philosophical foundation of the entire Gita and includes several of its most celebrated shlokas.
Download Practice Gita (iOS or Android) to begin today. Your review schedule is computed automatically — just show up daily.