80 Easy Sanskrit

siNx>
Combination

When two words come together, the last letter of the first word and the first
letter of the second word are combined together using certain rules. The
combination of these letters is known as sandhi.
There are three kinds of sandhis:
(1) Svr-siNx> When two vowels are combined together it is known as
svara-sandhi.
(2) Vyn-siNx> When two consonants are combined together it is known as
vyajana-sandhi.
(3) ivsg-siNx> When visarga (:) is joined with any vowel or a consonant it is
known as visarga-sandhi.

The following table gives a complete classification of all the letters of the
Sanskrit alphabet. This table will be useful while learning sandhis especially
vyajana-sandhi.

Vynain Consonants
kQaerVynain m&Vynain
Svra> Hard Consonants Soft Consonants
Vowels ^:ma[> ALpa[a> mhaa[a> ALpa[a> mhaa[a> Anunaiska> ANt>Swa> mhaa[a>
Sibilants Unaspirate Aspirate Unaspirate Aspirate Nasals Semivowels Aspirate

A Aa k o! g! "! '! h!
#$ z! c! D! j! H! |! y!
\ ;! q! Q! f! F! [! r!
s! t! w! d! x! n! l!
%^ p! )! b! ! m! v!

@ and @e are both guttural and palatal; Aae and AaE are guttural and labial; and v
is both dental and labial.
Textbook 81

The following table gives the three types of sandhis and their subdivisions.

siNx>

Svr-siNx> Vyn-siNx> ivsg-siNx>

(Ac! siNx>) (hl! siNx>)
1. %kar>
1. dI"R-siNx> 1. cTv-siNx>
2. laep>
2. gu[-siNx> 2. jZTv-siNx>
3. re)>
3. v&i-siNx> 3. Anunaisk-siNx>
4. skar>
4. y[!-siNx> 4. AnuSvar-siNx>

5. Ayaid-siNx> 5. prsv[-siNx>

6. pUv
p-siNx> 6. uTv-siNx>

7. prp-siNx> 7. uTv-siNx>
8 . kitav-siNx> 8. pUvsv[R-siNx>

9. DTv-siNx>

10. 'mufagm-siNx>

82 Easy Sanskrit

12.1 Svr-siNx>

When two vowels are combined together it is known as SvrsiNx>. It can be

divided into 8 types.

4. y[! 5. Ayaid

3. v&i 6. pUvRp

2. gu[ 7. prp

1. dI"R Svr-siNx> 8. kitav

12.1.1 dI"R-siNx>

Ak> sv[eR dI"R> Pini Stra (6.1.101)

If A, #, %, and \ short or long, are followed by the same vowel short or long
they are combined to make the long vowel Aa, $, ^ and .

A + A = Aa Aa + A = Aa
(A)
A + Aa = Aa Aa + Aa = Aa

Example: mur + Air> = murair>

The first word mur ends with the short vowel A; Air> begins with the short
vowel A. When these two short vowels combine they form the long Aa.
Textbook 83

Here are a few more examples:

dez + Aqnm! = dezaqnm!
ram + Avtar> = ramavtar>
dev + Aaly> = devaly>
)l + Aahar> = )lahar>
iv*a + A_yas> = iv*a_yas>
iv*a + Aaly> = iv*aly>
puStk + Aaly> = puStkaly>

(B) # + # = $ # + $ = $
$ + # = $ $ + $ = $

kiv + $r> = kvIr>

mhI + $z> = mhIz>
yit + #N> = ytIN>
riv + #N> = rvIN>
igir + $r> = igrIr>
lmI + $z> = lmIz>
mhI + #N> = mhIN>

% + % = ^ % + ^ = ^
(C)
^ + % = ^ ^ + ^ = ^

anu + %dy> = anUdy>

isNxu + ^imR> = isNxUimR>
tnu + ^XvRm! = tnUXvRm!
vxU + %Tsv> = vxUTsv>
r"u + %m> = r"Um>
84 Easy Sanskrit

kqu + %iKt> = kqUiKt>

\ + \ = \ + =
(D)
+ \ = + =

ipt& + \[m! = ipt[m!

mat& + \i> = mati>
mat& + \[m! = mat[m!
mat& + \iTvj> = matiTvj>

12.1.2 gu[-siNx>

Ade[
> Pini Stra (1.1.2)
If the vowels #, % , \ and short or long, follow A or Aa , then they are
substituted with @ , Aae, Ar! and Al! respectively.

(A) A + # = @ A + $ = @
Aa + # = @ Aa + $ = @

Example: %p + #N> = %peN>

The vowel # in the second word #N> follows A in the first word %p. A single
vowel @ is substituted in the place of both A and #. Thus, we have %p + #N> =
%peN>
Here are some more examples:
$r + #CDa = $reCDa
lta + #v = ltev
pU[R + #N> = pU[NRe >
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g[ + $z> = g[ez>

ram + $r> = ramer>

%ma + $z> = %mez>

mha + #CDa = mheCDa

A + % = Aae A + ^ = Aae
(B)
Aa + % = Aae Aa + ^ = Aae

pr + %pkar> = praepkar>
sUyR + %dy> = sUyaeRdy>
dez + %it> = dezaeit>
ga + %dkm! = gaedkm!
iht + %pdez> = ihtaepdez>
mha + ^imR> = mhaeimR>
cN + %dy> = cNaedy>
g&h + ^XvRm! = g&haeXvRm!

A + \ = Ar! A + = Ar!
(C)
Aa + \ = Ar! Aa + = Ar!

dev + \i;> = devi;R>

+ \i;> = i;R>
raja + \i;> = raji;R>
mha + \i;> = mhi;R>
sPt + \i;> = sPti;R>
vsNt + \tu> = vsNttRu>
86 Easy Sanskrit

12.1.3 v&i-siNx>

v&iradEc! Pini Stra (1. 1. 1)

If A or Aa is followed by @ or @e , they are combined to become @e.

If A or Aa is followed by Aae or AaE, they are combined to become AaE.

(A) A + @ = @e A + @e = @e
Aa + @ = @e Aa + @e = @

Example: mm + @v = mmEv
In mm + @v note that the vowel @ follows A in mm. The vowel @e is

substituted in the place of A and @ . Thus, we have mm + @v = mmEv.

Some more examples are given below:

@k + @km! = @kEkm!
sda + @v = sdEv
iv + @kta = ivEkta
mt + @eKym! = mtEKym!
dev + @eyRm! = devEyRm!
xn + @eyRm! = xnEyRm!
mha + @eyRm! = mhEyRm!

A + Aae = AaE A + AaE = AaE

(B)
Aa + Aae = AaE Aa + AaE = AaE

idv + Aaeks> = idvaEks>

jl + Aae"> = jlaE">
Textbook 87

prm + AaEicTym! = prmaEicTym!

mha + AaE;ix> = mhaE;ix>
mha + AaETsuKym! = mhaETsuKym!

12.1.4 y[!-siNx>

#kae y[ic Pini Stra (3. 1. 77)

# , % , \ and , short or long, when followed by any dissimilar vowel
becomes y! , v! , r! and l! respectively.

(A) # or $ + any dissimilar vowel (other than # or $ ) = y!

it + A]m! = Ty]m!
yid + Aip = y*ip
it + @km! = Tyekm!
#it + Aaid = #Tyaid
Ait + %m> = ATyum>
suxI + %paSy> = suXyupaSy>
pavRtI + Axuna = pavRTyxuna

(B) % or ^ + any dissimilar vowel (other than % or ^ ) = v!

gu + Aadez> = guvadz
e >
Anu + @;[m! = ANve;[m!
Anu + Ay> = ANvy>
het u + AwRm! = heTvwRm!
saxu + #dm! = saiXvdm!
saxu + Aaednm! = saXvaednm!
88 Easy Sanskrit

(C) \ or + any dissimilar vowel (other than \ or ) = r!

ipt& + Aa}a = ipa}a

ipt& + A<z> = ip<z>
ipt& + AaEdayRm! = ipaEdayRm!
mat& + Aa}a = maa}a
mat& + #CDa = maiCDa
mat& + %*anm! = mau*anm!

12.1.5 Ayaid-siNx>

@cae=yvayav> Pini Stra (6. 1. 78)

If @ , @e , Aae, and AaE are followed by any dissimilar vowel, they become Ay!

Aay! , Av! and Aav! respectively.

@ + any dissimilar vowel = Ay!

(A)
@e + any dissimilar vowel = Aay!

Example: ne + Anm! = nynm!

The @ in ne is changed to Ay! and hence ne + Anm! = nynm!

Here are a few more examples:

mageR + Aagta> = magRyagta>
iyE + %*t> = iyayu*t>
nE + Ak> = nayk>
hre + @ = hrye
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Aae + any dissimilar vowel = Av!

(B)
AaE + any dissimilar vowel = Aav!

paE + Ak> = pavk>

ae + Anm! = vnm!
iv:[ae + @ = iv:[ve
naE + #k> = naivk>
ivae + #h = ivivh

12.1.6 pUv
R p-siNx>
@'> pdaNtadit Pini Stra (6. 1. 109)
If @ or Aae at the end of a word is followed by A, the A disappears and the sign
= (avagraha) is placed instead. This sandhi being an exception to Ayaid-siNx

(refer 12.1.5), the @ or Aae is not changed into Ay! or Av! .

Example: hre + A = hre=

In hre + A, A follows the vowel @ and hence A is changed to avagraha. The
avagraha indicates that the A is silent.

A few more examples:

lte + Av = lte=v

ANte + Aip = ANtee=ip

gaepalae + Ahm! = gaepalae=hm!

sae + Aym! = sae=ym!

90 Easy Sanskrit

12.1.7 prp-siNx>

@i' prpm! Pini Stra (6. 1. 94)

If A is followed by @ or Aae, they combine to form the latter, that is @ or Aae.

Example: + @jte = ejte

In + @jte the vowel @ is substituted in the place of A and @ and it becomes
ejte.
%p + Aae;it = %pae;it

zu + Aaedn> = zuaedn>

12.1.8 kitav-siNx>

$ded!ivcn< g&m! Pini Stra (1. 1. 11)

When any vowel follows a dual noun ending with $, ^ or @ , there is no

sandhi of the words, that is, they retain their original form. Therefore this
sandhi is called praktibhva-sandhi.

Example: hrI + AagtaE = hrI AagtaE

The word hrI is the pratham-vibhakti-dvivacana of the word hir. So there is
no sandhi and the form remains as hrI AagtaE.

Here are a few more examples:

xenU + AagCDt> = xenU AagCDt>

lte + Aistam! = lte Aistam!

AmU + AaE = AmU AaE

Textbook 91

12.2 Vyn-siNx>

When two consonants are joined together it is known as vyajana-sandhi.

This is of ten types.

5. prsv[R 6. uTv

4. AnuSvar 7. uTv

3. Anunaisk 8. pUvs
R v[R

2. jZTv 9. DTv

1.cTvR Vyn-siNx> 10. 'mufagm

12.2.1 cTvR-siNx>

oir c Pini Stra (8. 4. 55)

The consonants except nasals and semi-vowels when followed by hard
consonants substitute the first letter of their group of consonants
(k! c! q! t! p! ).

Example: ivpd! + kal> = ivpTkal>

The d! of ivpd! is followed by k which is a hard consonant. So d is substituted
by t! , which is the first letter of its group.
92 Easy Sanskrit

Here are a few more examples:

ivraf! + pu;> = ivraq!p
u ;>
sd! + kar> = sTkar>
sud! + Ifit = suTIfit
idg! + pal> = idKpal>
]ux! + ippasa = ]uiTppasa

12.2.2. jZTv-siNx>

Hla< jzae=Nte Pini Stra (8.2.39)

The consonants, except nasals, at the end of a word when followed by a vowel
or a soft consonant, take the third letter of their group.
Example: vak + danm! = vaGdanm!
The consonant k is followed by the soft consonant d. The k is therefore
changed into the third letter of its group g! .

Here are a few more examples:

idk + gj> = idGgj>
Ac! + ANt> = AjNt>
jgt! + $z> = jgdIz>
ak + @v = agev
piraq! + vdit = piraf!vdit
Ap! + "q> = AB"q>
idk + AMbr> = idgMbr>

Textbook 93

12.2.3 Anunaisk-siNx>

yrae=nunaiske=nunaiskae va Pini Stra (8. 4. 45)

When a word ends in a consonant other than h! and is followed by a nasal, the
final consonant of the first word is optionally substituted by the nasal of its
group.

Example: @td! + murair> = @tNmurair>/ @td!murair>

The word @td! ends with the consonant d! and is followed by the nasal m! . So
the consonant d! takes up the nasal of its class, which is n! , and thus we get
@tNmurair>.
A few more examples:

;q! + masa> = ;{masa> / ;q!masa>

jgt! + naw> = jgaw>/ jgt!naw>

ak + muom! = a'!muom! / akmuom!

sd! + mit> = sNmit> / sd!mit>

But when the end consonant of a word is followed by the suffixes my and ma,
the change into nasal is compulsory.

Examples:
ict! + mym! = icNmym!
tt! + mam! = tNmam!

12.2.4. AnuSvar-siNx>

(A) mae=nuSvar> Pini Stra (8. 3. 23)

If m! is followed by any consonant then m! is replaced by anusvra.

94 Easy Sanskrit

Examples :

hirm! + vNde = hir < vNde

kayRm! + k = kay< k
xmRm! + cr = xm< cr
sTym! + vd = sTy< vd
svrm! + yait = svr< yait
ramm! + jaim = ram< jaim
(B) napdaNtSy Hil Pini Stra ( 8. 3. 24 )
m! and n! occurring within the middle of the word, when followed by a
consonant except a nasal or a semi vowel or h, is changed into anusvra.
Example: yzan! + is = yza<is
In yzan! + is, n! is changed into anusvra as it followed by the sibilant s! .

A few more examples:

pyan! + is = pya<is
nm! + Syit = n<Syit

sm! + sar> = s<sar>

12.2.5 prsv[R-siNx>

(A) AnuSvarSy yiy prsv[R> Pini Stra (8. 4. 58)

The m! or n! occurring within a word is changed into anusvra, and when
followed by any consonant except z! , ;! , s! , or h , is changed into a nasal of
the following consonant.

Example: A< + ikt> = Ait>

Textbook 95

In this example A< is followed by the consonant k . So anusvra is changed

into the nasal of its group which is '! Thus A< + ikt> = Ait>

Here are a few more examples:

m< + idrm! = miNdrm!
k< + iQt> = ki{Qt>
za< + t> = zaNt>
gu< + i)t> = guiM)t>
(B) va pdaNtSy Pini Stra (8. 4. 59 )
But the nasal at the end of a word is optionally changed into anusvra in accor-
dance with the above rule.

Examples:
Tv< + kraei; = Tv'!kraei; / Tv< kraei;
t&[< + crit = t&[rit / t&[< crit
am< + gCDit = am'!gCDit / am< gCDit

(C) taeilR Pini Stra (8. 4. 60)

If a consonant of the t group is followed by l! , the consonant of the t group

changes into l! .

Examples:
tt! + lIn> = tLlIn>
%d! + leo> = %Lleo>
jgt! + lmI> = jgLlmI>
ivlst! + la = ivlsLla

96 Easy Sanskrit

12.2.6 uTv-siNx>

Stae> una u> Pini Stra (8. 4. 40)

(A) If s! is followed by z! or the consonants of c group, the s! is changed into z! .

Examples:
rams! + zete = ramZzet
mns! + clm! = mnlm!
rams! + icnaeit = raminaeit
izzus! + zete = izzuZzete

(B) If the consonant of the t group is followed by z! or the consonant of the c

group, the consonant of the t group is changed into its corresponding c group
consonant.

Examples:
st! + ict! = sit!
mht! + cm! = mhm!
b&ht! + Dm! = b&hCDm!

12.2.7 uTv-siNx>

una u> Pini Stra (8. 4. 41)

(A) If s! is followed by ;! or the consonant of the q group, the s! is changed into ;!.

Examples:
rams! + ;> = ram:;>
xnus! + qar> = xnuar>
bals! + ;> = bal:;>
Textbook 97

(B) If the consonants of the t group is followed by the consonants of the q

group, the consonant of the t group is changed into its corresponding
consonant of the q group.

Examples:
mhd! + ifi{fm> = mhif!fi{fm>
tt! + qIka = tIka
b&ht! + qIka = b&hIka
cin! + FaEkse = ci{FaEkse
b&ht! + qzala = b&hzala
%t! + qnm! = %nm!
%t! + Jvl> = %JJvl>
mhan! + jy> = mhajy>
ANyt! + c = ANy

12.2.8 pUvs
R v[R-siNx>
Hyae hae=NytrSyam! Pini Stra (8. 4. 62)
If h! comes after any of the first four letters of a group, the h! is optionally
changed to the fourth letter of that group. The end consonant of the first word
changes into the third letter of its group.

Example: vak + hir> = vaGhir>/vaG"ir>

vak ends with the consonant k which is changed into g! which is the third
letter of its group. h! is optionally changed into "! .

A few more examples:

ptt! + ihmm! = ptd!ihmm! /ptimm!
tt! + iht> = td!iht>/tit>
98 Easy Sanskrit

Ap! + hr[m! = ABhr[m!/ABr[m!

idk + hStI = idGhStI/idG"StI
saq! + ihtkr> = saif!htkr>/aif!Ftkr>

12.2.9 DTv-siNx>

zZDae=iq Pini Stra (8. 4. 63)

If z! is followed by a vowel, semi-vowel or h and is preceded by a word
ending in any of the first four letters of a group, z! is changed into D!
optionally. The t! of the first word changes into c! .

Examples:
tt! + izv> = tiCzv> / tiCDv>
tt! + zIl> = tCzIl> / tCDIl>
jgt! + zr[m! = jgCzr[m! / jgCDr[m!
%t! + iz:q> = %iCz:q> / %iCD:q>
st! + zaSm! = sCzaSm! / sCDaSm!

12.2.10 'mufagm-siNx>

'mae Svadic 'mui{nTym! Pini Stra (8. 3. 32)

If a word ends in '! , [! or n! , is preceded by a short vowel and is followed by
any vowel, then '! , [! or n! is doubled.

Examples:
Ty'! + AaTma = Ty'!'aTma
xavn! + A> = xav>
hsn! + Ai = hsi
Textbook 99

sug[! + $z> = sug{[Iz>

gCDn! + AiSt = gCDiSt
Smrn! + %vac = SmrNnuvac

12.3 ivsgR-siNx>

When visarga (:) is combined with any vowel or consonant it is known as

visarga sandhi. There are 4 types in this sandhi.

2. laep> 3. re)>

1. %kar> ivsgR-siNx> 4. skar>

12.3.1 %kar>

If a visarga (>) is preceded by A and is followed by a soft consonant or A then

the visarga is changed into % (A + % = Aae ) ( A = =).
The soft consonants do not change. The A is treated as silent and is
represented by avagraha (=) ( A = =)
Example: izv> + ACyR> = izvae=CyR>
In the word izv> the visarga is preceded by the vowel A and is followed by A
in ACyR>. Thus the visarga in izv> changes to %. Again A and % combine to
become Aae and thus we get izvae=CyR>.

A few more examples:

ram> + Aip = ramae=ip
k> + Aym! = kae=ym!
100 Easy Sanskrit

Ax> + git = Axae git

mn> + blm! = mnae blm!

12.3.2 laep>

(A) If visarga is preceded by Aa and is followed by any vowel or a soft

consonant, the visarga is dropped.

Examples:
Aa> + AmI = Aa AmI
pua> + jata> = pua jata>
Aa> + xaviNt = Aa xaviNt
jna> + gCDiNt = jna gCDiNt
tara> + %idta> = tara %idta>
hta> + gja> = hta gja>

(B) If a visarga is preceded by A and is followed by any vowel other than the
short A, the visarga is dropped.
Examples:
kt> + Aagta> = kt Aagta>
nr> + #v = nr #v
cN> + %deit = cN %deit
dev> + \i;> = dev \i;>
k:[> + @it = k:[ @it
k> + @;> = k @;>
(C) If any consonant or vowel except short A follows s> or @;>, the visarga is
dropped.

Examples:
Textbook 101

s> + AagCDit = s AagCDit

s> + zMuu> = s zMu>u
@;> + iv:[u> = @; iv:[u>

(D) The words ae>, gae> and A"ae> lose their visarga if any vowel or soft
consonant follows it.

Examples:
ae> + ACyut = ae ACyut
A"ae> + yaih = A"ae yaih
gae> + nmSte = gae nmSte

12.3.3 re)>

(A) If visarga is preceded by any vowel except A or Aa and is followed by any

vowel or a soft consonant then, visarga is changed into r! .

Examples:
hir> + Aym! = hirrym!
git> + #ym! = gitirym!
riv> + %deit = rivdeit
muin> + jit = muinRjit
kve> + bui> = kvebiu >
gurae> + g&hm! = guraeg&Rhm!

(B) Having changed visarga into r! ( > = r! ), if the first letter of the following
word is again r! , the r! of the first word disappears and the short vowels Aa, $
or % before r! of the first word is then changed to Aa, $ or ^ respectively.

hirr! (hir>) + rMy> = hrI rMy>

102 Easy Sanskrit

The visarga in hir> is changed into r! and then when it combines with r! of the
following word rMy>, the r! in the hirr! (hir>) is dropped and the vowel is
lengthened. Thus hirr! (hir>) becomes hrI.

A few more Examples:

inr! + rs> = nIrs>
zMur! + rajte = zMU rajte
atur! + raednm! = atU raednm!
iptr! + r] = ipta r]

12.3.4. skar>
(A) When visarga is followed by t! or w! then the visarga is changed into
s! .

Examples:

mn> + tap> = mnStap>

ram> + it:Qit = ramiSt:Qit
iv:[u> + ata = iv:[uSata

If visarga is followed by c! or D! then the visarga becomes z! .

Examples:

gaE> + crit = gaErit

k> + ict! = kit!
m&g> + crit = m&grit

If visarga is followed by q! or Q! then the visarga is changed to ;!.

Examples:

ram> + qIkte = ram:qIkte

Textbook 103

xnu> + qar> = xnu:qar>

(B) If z! , ;! or s! follows a visarga then the visarga is changed into z! , ;! or s!

optionally.

Examples:

hir> + zete = hirZzete/hir> zete

suPt> + izzu> = suPtiZzzu>/suPt> izzu>

kiv> + u[aeit = kivZu[aeit/kiv> u[aeit

m> + ;q!pd> = m:;q!pd>/m> ;q!pd>

pdawaR> + sPt = pdawaRSsPt/pdawaR> sPt

kmar> + sIdit = kmarSsIdit/kmar> sIdit