RV-Prātiśākhya

Ṛgveda-Prātiśākhya Chapter 4 (Sandhi-paṭala) (4.1-98)

Sandhi rules for consonants (Vyañjana Sandhi) is the topic of the fourth chapter of Ṛgveda Prātiśākhya. In these Sandhis the final letter of a word is a consonant (vyañjana) and the initial letter of the following word is either a consonant or in a few cases a vowel (svara). Only the following eight consonants appear as the final letter of a word in the word-text of Ṛgveda: k, ṅ, ṭ , t, n, p, m, and ḥ (Visarjanīya).

4.1 If contact consonants (sparśa) precede and consonants (vyañjana) follow, this (mere combination, without causing any change, is called) Avaśaṁgama (‘uninfluenced’), and is one of the so-called Āsthāpita Sandhis.

Note: The contact consonants (sparśa) as the final letter of a word are k, ṅ (guttural nasal), ṭ (retroflex), t, n, p, m and ḥ (Visarjanīya)

This Sūtra does not specify which of the sparśa/vyañjana combinations remain unchanged. Sutras 4.2 through 4.18 give the rules for all combinations which do cause a change in either the preceding or following consonant or both. Any combinations not specifically mentioned in these sūtras remain unchanged and are called Avaśaṁgama Āsthāpita Sandhis.

Examples for the Avaśaṁgama Āsthāpita Sandhi are:

āraik + panthām = āraikpanthām; vaśaṭ + te = vaśaṭte; yat + patye = yatpatye; ajānan + putrah = ajānanputrah; dam + patim = dampatim; imam + me = imamme.

4.2 The first class-consonants, when followed by voiced (ghoṣa) consonants become their own thirds.

k + voiced consonant = g + voiced consonant

ṭ + voiced consonant = ḍ + voiced consonant

t + voiced consonant = d + voiced consonant

p + voiced consonant = b + voiced consonant

Note: Voiced consonants at the beginning of a word are g, gh, j, d, dh, n, b, bh, m, y, r, l, v, and h.

Examples:

vāk + vadanti = vāgvadanti (RV 8.100.10)

ṣaṭ-bhih -> ṣaḍbhih (RV 2.18.4)

yat + bhūtam = yadbhūtam (RV 10.90.2)

tasmāt + yajñāt = tasmādyajñāt (RV 10.90.9)

unap + dabhītaye = unabdabhītaye (RV 2.13.9)

tri-stup + gāyatrī = triṣṭubgāyatrī (RV10.14.16)

4.3 (The first class-consonants) become the last consonants (of their own class), if followed by the last class-consonants.

k + (n,m) = ṅ + (n,m)

ṭ + (n,m) = ṇ + (n,m)

t + (n,m) = n + (n,m)

P + (n,m) = m + (n,m)

Examples:

arvāk + narāh = arvāṅnarāh (RV 7.82.8)

baṭ + mahān = baṇmahān (RV 8.101.11)

tat + na = tanna (RV 1.164.39)

tri-kakup + ni-vartat = trikakumnivartat (RV 1.124.4)

4.4 Palatal ś preceded by any of the first class-consonants becomes chh according to the father of Śākalya.

k + palatal ś = k + chh

ṭ + palatal ś = ṭ + chh

t + palatal ś = t + chh *

p + palatal ś = p + chh

* This combination will be treated in Sutras 4.11-13

Examples:

arvāk + śaphau-iva = arvākchhaphāviva (RV 2.39.3)

vi-pāṭ + śutudrī = vipāṭchhutudrī (RV 3.33.1)

4.5 A following (i.e., initial) h preceded by the same (i.e. first class-consonants) becomes the fourth of the latter (according to the father of Śākalya), when (the preceding first class-consonants) appear as finals of words and with the change into the thirds.

k + h = g + gh

ṭ + h = ḍ + ḍh

t + h = d + dh

p + h = b + bh

Examples:

madryak + huvānah = madryagghuvānah (RV 3.41.1)

avāṭ + havyāni = avāḍḍhavyāni (RV 10.15.12)

śarat + havih = śaraddhavih (RV 10.90.6)

4.6 If a contact consonant having a different place of articulation follows, m becomes the last (of the class) of the following consonant, according to all (the teachers).

If m (a labial) is followed by a non-labial contact consonant, then it is changed into the nasal consonant with the same place of articulation as the consonant that follows.

m + (k, kh, g, gh) = ṅ + (k, kh, g, gh)

m + (ch, chh, j) = ñ + (ch, chh, j) (ñ means palatal n)

m + (t, th, d, dh, n) = n + (t, th, d, dh, n)

Note: While this rule would apply to all following non-labial consonants, no words beginning with ṅ, jh, ñ or the retroflex letters are found in Ṛgveda. The printed texts of Ṛgveda represent the changed m (i.e., ṅ, ñ and n) by the Anusvara (ṁ). Even the unchanged m before labial stop-consonants is represented by the Anusvara in most of the texts:

m + stop-consonant = ṁ + stop-consonant (in printed texts)

Examples:

bhadram + kariśyasi = bhadraṅkariśyasi (RV 1.1.6)

aham + cha + tvam + cha = ahañcha tvañcha (RV 8.62.11)

tam + te = tante (RV 3.48.2)

4.7 If initial semi-vowels, excepting r, follow, m becomes the corresponding nasal (semi-vowel).

If m is followed by y, l or v, then it is changed into a nasalized y, l or v.

m + y = nasal y + y

m + l = nasal l + l

m + v = nasal v + v

Note: In the printed texts the nasalized semivowels y, l, and v are represented by the Anusvara:

m + (y, l, v) = ṁ + (y, l, v) (in printed texts)

Examples:

bhāgam + yathā = bhāga(nasalized y)yathā (RV 10.191.2)

eṣām + lakṣmīh = eṣā(nasalized l)lakṣmīh (RV 10.71.2)

sam + vah = sa(nasalized v)vah (RV 10.191.2)

Note: Pronunciation of the examples above by the Pandits:

bhāgaiñyathā, eṣām̐ lakṣmīh, sam vah

4.8 In the same way n (is changed into the corresponding nasal semi-vowel), when l follows.

If n is followed by an l, then it should be changed into a nasalized l.

n + l = nasal l + l

Examples:

jigivān + lakṣam = jigivā(nasalized l)lakṣam (RV 2.12.4)

yasmin + loke = yasmi(nasalized l)loke (RV 9.113.7)

Note: Only these two examples are found in the Ṛgveda Samhitā.

They are written in the following way:

1. jigivām̐ lakṣam. m̐ is the symbol for the Anunāsika (Chandra-Bindu, the half-moon with the dot placed in it).

2. ‘yasmin loke’ in one edition and ‘yasmim̐lloke’ in another text.

4.9 n becomes ñ, when palatal ś and the c-class (i. e., c, ch, j, jh, palatal n) follow.

n is changed to a palatal n when followed by a palatal stop consonant or the palatal ś.

n + palatal ś= ñ + palatal ś (à 4.12-13)

n + (c, ch, j) = ñ + (c, ch, j)

Examples:

vajrin + śnathihi = vajriñ + śnathihi (à 4.12-13)

asmān + jagamyāt = asmāñjagamyāt (RV 5.33.5)

ahan + ca = ahañca (RV 3.44.2)

4.10 When j and l follow, t becomes the same two (i.e., j and l, respectively).

t is changed into a j if followed by a j and into an l if followed by an l.

t + j = j + j

t + l + l + l

Examples:

yat + jigāsi = yajjigāsi (RV 10.73.3)

angāt-angāt + lomnah-lomnah = angādangāllomnolomnah (RV 10.163.6)

4.11 t becomes c, if a voiceless palatal consonant follows.

The voiceless palatal consonants are c, ch and ś.

t + c = c + c

t + ch = c + ch

t + ś = c + ś (this c + ś becomes c + ch in 4.12 or optionally

it may remain as c + ś per 4.13)

Examples:

yat + ca = yacca (RV 10.90.2)

yat + chardih = yacchardih (RV 8.67.6)

ut + śiṣṭam = uc + śiṣṭam (RV 1.28.9) à 4.12-13

4.12 Palatal ś following those two (i. e., ñ and c) becomes ch.

ñ + ś = ñ + ch / or optionally ñ + ś per 4.13

c + ś = c + ch / or optionally c + ś per 4.13

Note: ñ has been created in Sūtra 4.9 (n + ś = ñ + ś).

c has been created in Sūtra 4.11 (t + ś = c + ś)

Examples:

vajriñ + śnathihi = vajriñchnathihi (RV 1.63.5) / vajriñśnathihi

uc + śiṣṭam = ucchiṣṭam (RV 1.28.9) / ucśiṣṭam

4.13 (Palatal ś does) not (become ch) according to Sākalya.

This sūtra provides an option to 4.12 as shown above, but is not followed in the printed texts.

4.14 These (combinations, from Sūtra 2 to 13, are called) ‘influenced’ (vaśaṁgama)

The Sandhi rules described in Sūtras 4.2-13 are called Vaśaṁgama Āsthāpita.

4.15 If r and Ūṣmans follow, m becomes Anusvāra, and this (combination) they (technically) call paripanna.

The Ūṣmans are h, ś, ṣ and s. The Anusvāra is transliterated as ṁ.

m + r = ṁ + r

m + h = ṁ + h

m + ś = ṁ + ś

m + ṣ = ṁ + ṣ

m + s = ṁ + s

Examples:

hotāram + ratna-dhātamam = hotāraṁ ratnadhātamam (RV 1.1.1)

mitram + huve = mitraṁ huve (RV 1.2.7)

pat-bhyām + śūdrah = padbhyāṁ śūdrah (RV 10.90.12)

ekajam + ṣaṭ + it = ekajaṁ ṣaḻit (1.164.15)

idam + sarvam = idaṁ sarvam (RV 10.90.2)

4.16 According to some, if ṅ is followed by a voiceless Ūṣman (i.e., ś, ṣ or s), k (is inserted) between (the two).

Optionally a k may be inserted between ṅ and ś, ṣ or s.

ṅ + ś = ṅ + k + ś = ṅ + k + ch (see 4.4 for the change of ś to ch)

ṅ + (ṣ, s) = ṅ + k + (ṣ, s)

Examples:

arvāṅ + śaśvat-tamam = arvāṅkśaśvattamam = arvāṅkchaśvattamam (RV 3.35.6)

pratyaṅ + sah = pratyaṅksah (RV 9.80.3)

Note: In the printed texts the inserted k is not shown. The combination ṅ + ś appears once, ṅ + ṣ is not found, and ṅ + s appears four times in Ṛgveda Samhitā.

4.17 (The same teachers) maintain that t (is inserted between), if retroflex ṭ and n are followed by s.

Optionally:

ṭ + s = ṭ + t + s

n + s = n + t + s

Examples:

aprāṭ + sah = aprāṭtsah (RV 10.32.7)

asmān + sisakta = asmāntsiṣakta (RV 10.19.1)

Note: The inserted t between ṭ and s is not shown in the printed texts. (The combination ṭ + s appears 12 times). However, in most of the printed texts the t is shown between the n and s and it is pronounced by our Pandits.

4.18 If ñ is followed by ś, c (is inserted between the two, according to some).

ñ + ś = ñ + c + ś

Since no words in Ṛgveda end in ñ, this optional Sūtra would be applied only after applying Sūtra 4.9 (n + ś = ñ + ś)

Example:

vajriñ + śnathihi = vajriñcśnathihi = vajriñcchnathihi (see 4.4 for the change of ś to ch) (RV 1.63.5)

Note: In the printed text the inserted c mentioned above is not shown.

4.19 These (combinations, from Sūtra 16 to 18, are called ‘insertions’ (antaḥpāta sandhis).

Visarjanīya-Sandhis

4.20 Now begins the prescription, in this Patala, regarding those words which end in an Ūṣman and about which no (rule of) combination has (yet) been given.

This refers to words ending in Visarjanīya, which is the only Ūṣman that can end a word (see Sūtras 4.24-4.27 below).

Sūtras 4.21-23 give certain irregular Sandhis.

4.21 The Ūṣman ‘s’ is dropped in the phrase cit kambhena.

The word text is cit | skambhena and the initial ‘s’ of skambhena is dropped in forming this irregular sandhi: cit kambhena (RV 10.11.5)

4.22 Kakudmān (is an exception to Sūtra 3 of this Patala).

The word text is kakut-mān. By Sūtra 4.3, one would expect the ‘t’ in kakut to become an ‘n’. Instead, it becomes a ‘d’ and the resulting sandhi is kakudmān (RV 10.8.2).

4.23 The stem samrāj is an exception to the so-called paripanna combination.

According to 4.15, the compound word sam-rāṭ would become saṁrāṭ whereby the ‘m’ in sam is changed to an Anusvara. But in this irregular Sandhi, it remains as an ‘m’ and the resulting sandhi is samrāṭ (RV 1.188.5). This irregular sandhi applies to all other words derived from the stem samrāj (‘universal or supreme ruler’): samrājah, samrājam, samrājā, samrāje, samrājoh, samrājau, samrājantam, samrājnī, samrājyena, and samrājyāya.

4.24 An unrhotacized Visarjanīya (together with its penultimate vowel) becomes ā, if followed by a sonant consonant.

Note: In general, Visarjanīyas preceded by a or ā are unrhotacized, which means they are not changed into an ‘r’. However, Sūktas 1.77-103 give all the exceptions to this general rule. Visarjanīyas preceded by nāmin vowels (vowel ṛ and ṝ, i, ī, u, ū, e, o, ai and au) are always changed into an ‘r’ (rhotacized). Visarjanīyas are shown below as ḥ.

āḥ + voiced consonant = ā + voiced consonant

This Sandhi is called Niyata per 4.26

Examples:

devāḥ + yajñam = devā + yajñam (RV 10.90.6)

candramāḥ + manasaḥ = candramā + manasaḥ (RV 10.90.13)

4.25 Preceded by a short vowel, (it, together with its penultimate vowel,) becomes o (if followed by a sonant consonant).

aḥ + voiced consonant = o + voiced consonant

This Sandhi is called Praśrita per 4.26.

Examples:

puraḥ-hitam = purohitam (RV 1.1.1)

devaḥ + devebhiḥ = devo devebhiḥ (RV 1.1.5)

viśvataḥ + vritvā = viśvato vritvā (RV 10.90.1)

manasaḥ + jātaḥ = manaso jātaḥ (RV 10.90.13)

4.26 These two Sandhis are (respectively called) Niyata and Praśrita.

4.27 A rhotacized Visarjanīya, however, which is preceded by any short or long vowel becomes r, if followed by a vowel or a sonant consonant; these being called ‘r-combinations’ (Repha-sandhis)

Note: see note to 4.24

1. vowel (except a, ā) + ḥ + vowel = vowel (except a, ā) + r + vowel.

2. (a, ā) + rhotazised ḥ + vowel = (a, ā) + r + vowel

3. vowel (except a, ā) + ḥ + voiced consonant= vowel (except a, ā) + r + voiced consonant.

4. (a, ā) + rhotazised ḥ + voiced consonant = (a, ā) + r + voiced consonant

Examples:

nūtanaiḥ + uta = nūtanairuta (RV 1.1.2)

pari-bhūḥ + asi = paribhūrasi (RV 1.1.4)

agniḥ + hotā = agnirhotā (RV 1.1.5)

vāyuḥ + ajāyata = vāyurajāyata (RV 10.90.13)

prātaḥ + agnim = prātaragnim (RV 7.41.1)

doṣā-vastaḥ + dhiyā = doṣāvastardhiyā (RV 1.1.7)

Note: prātaḥ is rhotazised according to Sūtra 1.81, doṣāvastaḥ according to Sūtra 1.102.

4.28 A (rhotacized) Visarjanīya is dropped, if followed by ‘r’.

(long vowel + rhotacized ḥ) + r = long vowel + r

Example:

yuvoḥ + rajāmsi = yuvo rajāmsi (RV 1.180.1)

This Sandhi is called akāma per Sūtra 4.30. The next sūtra gives the Sandhi for when the Visarjanīya is preceded by a short vowel.

4.29 The penultimate vowel of a short (rhotacized Visarjanīya) is lengthened (if r follows, while the Visarjanīya is dropped).

(a + rhotacized ḥ) + r = ā + r

iḥ + r = ī + r

uḥ + r = ū + r

Example:

prātaḥ + ratnam = prātā ratnam (RV 1.125.1)

stomebhiḥ + rudram = stomebhī rudram (RV 2.33.5)

jira-dānuḥ + retaḥ = jīradānū retaḥ (RV 5.83.1)

This Sandhi is called niyata.

4.30 These two (combinations are respectively called) akāma and niyata.

4.31 When a voiceless contact consonant, not followed by an Ūṣman, follows, both rhotacized and unrhotacized Visarjanīya becomes an Ūṣman having the same place of articulation as that (i.e., the following voiceless consonant.)

Note: The guttural Ūṣman is Jihvāmūlīya and is shown below as CH. This sound is like the German ‘ch’ in Bach. The labial Ūṣman is Upadhmānīya and is shown as F, which has a sound similar to the English letter ‘f’.

ḥ + (k, kh) = CH + (k, kh)

ḥ + (c, ch) = ś + (c, ch)

ḥ + (t, th) = s + (t, th)

ḥ + (p, ph) = F + (p, ph)

Examples:

adadhuḥ + katidhā = adadhuCHkatidhā (RV 10.90.11)

jātaḥ + cakṣoḥ = jātaścakṣoḥ (RV 10.90.13)

agniḥ + ca = agniśca (RV 10.90.13)

devāḥ + tāni = devāstāni (RV 10.90.16)

yajuḥ + tasmāt = yajustasmāt (RV 10.90.9)

puruṣaḥ + pādaḥ = puruṣaFpādaḥ (RV 10.90.4)

However, the Visarjanīya is unchanged if he voiceless contact consonant is followed by an Ūṣman. Only two combinations, ‘k + ṣ’ and ‘t + s’, occur in Ṛgveda after a Visarjanīya. (One other combination ‘p + s’ occurs in Ṛgveda, but not after a Visarjanīya).

ḥ + kṣ = ḥ + kṣ

ḥ + ts = ḥ + ts

Examples:

gūrtavaḥ-tamaḥ + kṣodaḥ = gūtavastamaḥ kṣodaḥ (RV 10.61.2)

śata-kratuḥ + tsarat = śatakratuḥ tsarat (RV 8.1.11)

4.32 If a (voiceless) Ūṣman follows, (Visarjanīya) becomes the same (Ūṣman).

The three voiceless Ūṣmans that can begin a word are ś, ṣ and s.

ḥ + ś = ś + ś

ḥ + ṣ = ṣ + ṣ

ḥ + s = s + s

Examples:

diśaḥ + śrotrāt = diśaśśrotrāt (RV 10.90.14)

devīḥ + ṣaṭ + urvīḥ = devīṣṣaḻurvīḥ (RV 10.128.5)

sam-itiḥ + samānī = samitissamānī (RV 10.191.3)

manaḥ + saha = manassaha (RV 10.191.3)

4.33 If a (voiceless) contact consonant of the first or of the fifth class follows, (the change prescribed in Sūtra 31 takes place) optionally.

This sūtra gives the option of not changing the Visarjanīya to Jihvāmūlīya before ‘k’ and ‘kh’ or to Upadhmānīya before ‘p’ and ‘ph’ as prescribed in Sūtra 4.31.

ḥ + (k, kh) = (CH / ḥ) + (k, kh)

ḥ + (p, ph) = (F / ḥ) + (p, ph)

Sūtra 4.38 says that this option of not changing the Visarjanīya before k, kh, p, and ph, “is (however) the usage.” However, our movement pundits change the Visarjanīya to Jihvāmūlīya or Upadhmānīya most of the time.

Examples:

naḥ + kave = naCHkave / naḥ kave (RV 1.13.2)

agniḥ + pūrvebhiḥ = agniFpūrvebhiḥ / agniḥ pūrvebhiḥ (RV 1.1.2)

4.34 Also when an uncerebralized Ūṣman follows, (the change prescribed in Sūtra 32 takes place) optionally.

Note: Some Sandhi rules not yet covered require that an ‘s’ be changed into a retroflex ‘ṣ’ after Nāmin vowels (any vowel except a, ā). This ‘ṣ’ is said to be ‘cerebralized’.

This sūtra gives the option of not changing the Visarjanīya when followed by ś, ṣ or s, as prescribed in Sūtra 4.31. If ṣ has been cerebralized, this option cannot be taken.

If the Visarjanīya is changed to an Ūṣman per Sūtra 4.32, the Sandhi is called ‘Vyāpanna’ as defined in Sūtra 4.35 below. If the Visarjanīya is optionally not changed, the result is called Vikrānta.

ḥ + ś = (ś / ḥ) + ś

ḥ + uncerebralized ṣ = (ṣ / ḥ) + ṣ

ḥ + s = (s / ḥ) + s

Examples:

idhmaḥ + śarat = idhmaśśarat / idhmaḥ śarat (RV 10.90.6)

indu-bhiḥ + ṣaṭ = indubhiṣṣaṭ / indubhiḥ ṣaṭ (RV 1.23.15)

naḥ + svastaye = nassvastaye / naḥ svastaye (RV 1.1.9)

gobhiḥ + syāma = gobhiṣṣyāma (RV 10.64.11)

Note: Here the s of syāma has been cerebralized according to Sūtra 5.6

4.35 This combination, where Visarjanīya is changed to an Ūṣman, is called ‘changed’ (Vyāpanna); while that, where the penultimate (i.e., Visarjanīya) remains unchanged, is called ‘passed over’ (Vikrānta).

4.36 If an Ūṣman followed by a voiceless consonant follows, (Visarjanīya) is dropped, even if the (following) breathing is cerebralized.

ḥ + (ś, ṣ, s) + voiceless consonant = (ś, ṣ, s) + voiceless consonant

The only combinations in Ṛgveda starting with an Ūṣman and followed by a voiceless consonant are: śc, sk, st, sth, sp and sph. This Sandhi is called ‘Anvakṣara-vaktra’ in the following Sūtra 4.37.

stokāḥ + ścotanti = stokā ścotanti (RV 3.21.2)

mandibhiḥ + stomebhiḥ = mandibhi stomebhiḥ (RV 1.9.3)

viśvāḥ + spridhaḥ = viśvā spridhaḥ (RV 10.18.9)

duḥ-stutī = duṣṭutī (RV 2.33.4)

Note: Here the st of stutī has been cerebralized

4.37 This combination (is technically called) Anvakṣara-vaktra.

4.38 Non-change (of Visarjanīya) is (however) the usage, when k, kh, p and ph follow.

Please see the discussion for Sūtra 4.33.

4.39 (The Visarjanīya of) svaḥ, duḥ, puḥ, when they are not independent words (i.e., only in a compound), becomes r, when voiceless consonants follow.

When svaḥ, dūḥ and pūḥ are the first parts of a compound, the Sandhi is irregular, whereby the Visarjanīya is changed to an ‘r’ instead of an Ūṣman as one would expect before a voiceless consonant.

Examples:

svaḥ-canāḥ = svarcanāḥ (RV 9.84.5)

dhūḥ-su = dhūrṣu (RV 7.63.2)

pūḥ-patim = pūrpatim (RV 1.173.10

4.40 (Visarjanīya is) not treated regularly in the following combinations:

akṣā induḥ; svadhitīva; aha eva; … ; vartanīraha.

This sūtra lists Saṁhitā texts of some irregular Sandhis.

Examples:

akṣāḥ + induḥ = akṣā induḥ (instead of akṣārinduḥ, because akṣāḥ is rhotazised)

svadhitiḥ-iva = svadhitīva (instead of svadhitiriva)

vartaniḥ + aha = vartanīraha (instead of vartaniraha)

Visarjanīya-Sandhis called Upācarita

4.41 As stated (later on, a Visarjanīya) preceded by a ‘cerebralizing’ (nāmin) vowel becomes ṣ, and the other (Visarjanīya, i.e., one not preceded by a ‘cerebralizing’ vowel), if unrhotacized, becomes s, when ‘k’ and ‘p’ follow; but always in the interior of a word. This combination is called ‘sibilation’ (Upācarita).

This Sandhi rule applies not only for the formation of compound words as given in this Sūtra but also for other conditions as given in Sūtras 4.42-64.

(a, ā) + unrhotacized ḥ + (k, kh, p, ph) = (as, ās) + (k, kh, p, ph)

nāmin vowel + ḥ + (k, kh, p, ph) = nāmin vowel + ṣ + (k, kh, p, ph)

Examples:

dakṣinataḥ-karpadāḥ = dakṣinataskarpadāḥ (RV 7.33.1)

duḥ-kritaḥ = duṣkritaḥ (RV 5.82.2)

catuḥ-pāt = catuṣpāt (RV 4.51.5)

haviḥ-pāḥ = haviṣpāḥ (RV 10.15.10)

antaḥ-peyam = antaFpeyam / antaḥpeyam (RV 10.107.9)

punaḥ-punaḥ = punaFpunaḥ / punaḥpunaḥ (RV 1.92.10)

Note: antaḥ and punaḥ are rhotazised

This Sandhi rule applies not only for the formation of compound words as given in this Sūtra but also for other conditions as given in Sūtras 4.42-64.

(a, ā) + unrhotacized ḥ + (k, kh, p, ph) = (as, ās) + (k, kh, p, ph)

nāmin vowel + ḥ + (k, kh, p, ph) = nāmin vowel + ṣ + (k, kh, p, ph)

In this rule, the Visarjanīya is changed to ‘s’ after ‘a’ and ‘ā’ and into a retroflex ṣ after a Nāmin vowel (any vowel other than ‘a’ and ‘ā’). This changing of the Visarjanīya is called ‘sibilation’ or Upācarita.

4.42 In the interior of a Pāda, but not in a compound, (a Visarjanīya) preceded by ‘a’ (becomes ‘s’), when the dissyllabic masculine word ‘pati’ follows.

aḥ + ‘pati’ = as + ‘pati’

This sūtra would apply in the interior of a pāda and when ‘pati’ is in a masculine form that has two syllables. ‘pati’ refers to all words derived from the stem pati (for example patiḥ, pate, patim, patī, patayaḥ and patnīḥ which is feminine)

Examples:

brahmanaḥ + pate = brahmanaspate (RV 1.40.1)

vācaḥ + patim = vācaspatim (RV 10.81.7)

naḥ + patayaḥ = naFpatayaḥ / naḥ patayaḥ (RV 4.47.2)

ataḥ + patnīḥ = ataFpatnīḥ / ataḥ patnīḥ (RV 5.50.3)

4.43 Also if the words karam, kṛtam, kṛdhi, karat and kaḥ follow.

aḥ + (karam, kṛtam, kṛdhi, karat, kaḥ) = as + (karam, kṛtam, kṛdhi, karat, kaḥ)

Examples:

atha + naḥ + vasyasaḥ + kṛdhi = athā no vasyasaskṛdhi (RV 9.4.1-10)

bali-hṛtaḥ + karat = balihṛtaskarat (RV 10.117.6)

4.44 Also if the word ‘pari’ occurring at the end of a Pāda follows.

aḥ + (pari at end of pāda) = as + (pari at end of pāda)

Example:

tat | uttāna-padaḥ | pari = taduttānapadaspari (RV 10.72.3)

Note: The metre of RV 10.72.3 is Anushtubh consisting of 4 Pādas with 8 syllables each. In the example above pari is at the end of the Pāda.

4.45 Final (Visarjanīya of a word ending in) asaḥ (becomes s), if the word does not contain ‘r’, and when the words pāra, pari, kṛtāni and karati, even if not occurring at the end of a Pāda, follow.

asaḥ + (‘pāra’, pari, kṛtāni or karati) = asas + (‘pāra’, pari, kṛtāni or karati)

This applies only if the word ending in asaḥ does not contain an ‘r’. ‘Pāra’ refers to any word derived from the stem ‘pāra’.

Examples:

manasaḥ + pāram = manasaspāram (RV 1.92.6)

avi-hvarantam | manasaḥ | pari | dhyayā = avihvarantam manasaspari dhyayā (RV 4.36.2)

rajasaḥ + pāre = rajasaFpāre / rajasaḥ pāre (RV 10.143.5)

Note: The metre of RV 4.36.2 is Jagatī consisting of 4 Pādas with 12 syllables each. In the example above pari is not at the end of the Pāda.

4.46 The word ‘vāstoḥ’ is (sibilized), if the word ‘pati’ follows.

vāstoḥ + ‘pati’ = vāstoṣ + ‘pati’

‘Pati’ refers to words derived from the stem pati meaning ‘Lord’. Vāstoṣpati means “Lord or protector of the house (vāstu)”.

vāstoḥ + patim = Vāstoshpatim (RV 10.61.7)

4.47 (The Visarjanīya of) the words āviḥ, haviḥ and jyotiḥ become ṣ if ‘k’ follows.

(āviḥ, haviḥ, jyotiḥ) + k = (āviṣ, haviṣ, jyotiṣ) + k

jyotiḥ + kṛnoti = jyotiṣkṛnoti (RV 1.48.8)

4.48 Also when the words ‘pānta’ and ‘paśanti’ follow.

For this Sūtra, the first part of the Sandhi consists of the words given in Sūtra 4.47: āviḥ, haviḥ and jyotiḥ.

(āviḥ, haviḥ, jyotiḥ) + (‘pānta’, paśanti) = (āviṣ, haviṣ, jyotiṣ) + (‘pānta’, paśanti)

Example:

jyotiḥ + paśyanti = jyotiśpaśyanti (RV 8.6.30)

4.49 The words ‘iḻāyāḥ, gāḥ, namasaḥ, devayuḥ, druhaḥ, mātuḥ and iḻaḥ’ (are sibilized), when any form or case (pravada) of the word ‘pada’ follows.

(iḻāyāḥ, gāḥ, namasaḥ, devayuḥ, druhaḥ, mātuḥ, iḻaḥ) + ‘pada’ =

(iḻāyās, gās, namasas, devayuṣ, druhas, mātuṣ, iḻas) + ‘pada’

Example:

iḻaḥ + pade = iḻaspade (RV 10.191.1)

4.50 This (sibilation of Visarjanīya) thus (takes place) with the exception of the words ‘pūrvaḥ, puraḥ and pūḥ’, when first parts of a compound, and also of the following nine words (given in Sūtra 4.51).

If ‘pūrvaḥ, puraḥ and pūḥ’ are the first parts of a compound, the Visarjanīya would not be sibilized. This is an exception to Sūtra 4.41.

With regard to pūḥ see Sūtra 4.39: pūḥ (as the first part of a compound) + unvoiced consonant = pūr + unvoiced consonant).

Examples:

pūrvaḥ-pūrvaḥ = pūrvaḥpūrvaḥ (RV 5.77.2)

puraḥ-prasravanāḥ = puraḥprasravanāḥ (RV 8.100.9)

n-Sandhis

4.65 ‘N’ preceded by ā, even if at the end of a word which is part of a compound, is dropped, if followed by a vowel (in the interior of a Pāda).

ān + vowel = ām̐ + vowel (in the interior of a Pāda)

Sūtra 4.80 says that when “n’ is dropped or changed to an ‘r’ or an ūṣman for the Sandhis given in 4.65-79, then the vowel preceding the ‘n’ is nasalized. The nasalization is represented here as m̐. In the Vedic text it is shown as an anunāsika (half-moon with dot) over the nasalized vowel.

Examples:

sāḥ | devān | ā | iha | vakṣati = sa devām̐ eha vakṣati (RV 1.1.2)

tathā | lokān | akalpayat = tathā lokām̐ akalpayat (RV 10.90.14)

asmān-asmān | it = asmām̐asmām̐ it (RV 4.32.4)

4.66 (N is dropped in the words) ‘ajrān, jagrasānān, jaghanvān, devahūtamān, badbadhānān, indra somān, tṛṣaṇān, no deva devān and hanta devān, (though occuring at the end of a Pāda).

This sūtra extends Sūtra 4.65 to drop the ‘n’ of certain words and combinations even at the end of a Pāda. As given in the following Sūtra 4.67, this dropping of the ‘n’ in Sutrās 4.65-66 is called ‘Ān-pada Pada-vṛtti’.

Example:

Note: The metre of RV 3.32.6 is Triṣṭubh containing 4 Pādas with 11 syllables each. Jaghanvān is the last word of Pāda 1.

4.67 These ‘hiatuses between two words’ (padavṛttayaḥ) are with reference to words ending in ān. (Or, these combinations 4.65-66 are called Ān-pada pada-vṛttis).

4.68 (N is dropped) also in the ‘apparent hiatuses’ (Vivṛttyabhiprāya Sandhis) as shown below:

pīvaḥ-annān | rayi-vṛdhaḥ = pīvoannām̐ rayivṛdhaḥ (RV 7.91.3)

dadhanvān | yaḥ = dadhanvām̐ yaḥ (RV 10.132.2)

jujurvān | yaḥ = jujurvām̐ yaḥ (RV 2.4.5)

sva-vān | yātu = svavām̐ yātu (RV 1.35.10, 1.118.1)

dadvān | vā = dadvām̐ vā (RV 9.107.1)

These Sandhis all have a semi-vowel following ān in the word text.

4.69 N preceded by ī or ū becomes r, when the words hatam, yonau, vacobhiḥ, yān, yuvanyūn and vaniṣīṣṭa follow.

(īn, ūn) + (hatam, yonau, vacobhiḥ, yān, yuvanyūn, vaniṣīṣṭa)

= (īm̐r, ūm̐r) + (hatam, yonau, vacobhiḥ, yān, yuvanyūn, vaniṣīṣta)

Example:

paṇīn + vacobhiḥ + abhi = paṇīm̐rvacobhirabhi (RV 6.39.2)

dasyūn + yonau + akṛtaḥ = dasyūm̐ryonāvakṛtaḥ (RV 1.63.4)

4.70 Also when vowels follow

(īn, ūn) + vowel = (īm̐r, ūm̐r) + vowel

This Sandhi applies only inside a Pāda.

Example:

raśmīn-iva = raśmīm̐riva (RV 8.35.21)

pari-dhīn | ati | tān | ihi = paridhīm̐rati tām̐ ihi (RV 9.107.19)

bandhūn + imān = bandhūm̐rimān (RV 9.97.17)

4.71 (N becomes r) also (in the the two combinations:)

dasyūn | ekaḥ = dasyūm̐rekaḥ (RV 6.18.3) (dasyūn is at the end of a Pāda)

nṝn | abhi = nṝm̐rabhi (RV 5.54.14)

4.72 In these combinations a contact consonant is changed to ‘r’, (and are technically called ‘Sparśa-repha-sandhis’.)

4.73 The exceptions to the above rules are: asmānupa, etāvān, ..., patīnuroḥ.

Examples:

asmān | upa = asmānupa (RV 8.100.11) (expect asmām̐ upa inside a Pāda)

asmān | ava = asmām̐ ava (RV 6.41.5) (asmān is not followed by upa)

etāvān | asya = etāvānasya (RV 10.90.3) (expect etāvām̐ asya inside a Pāda)

4.74 (n) preceded by a long vowel is always to be treated like Visarjanīya, when the words carati, cakre, camasān, ca, co, cit, carasi, cyautnaḥ, caturaḥ and cikitvān follow.

(ā, ṝ, ī, ū)n + (carati, cakre, camasān, ca, co, cit, carasi, cyautnaḥ, caturaḥ or cikitvān) = (ā, ṝ, ī, ū)m̐ś + (carati,…)

The following words in this Sandhi all begin with ‘c’. Since ‘n’ is to be treated like a Visarjanīya, it is then changed into the palatal Ūṣman ś according to the standard rule. This particular Sandhi applies 34 times in Ṛgveda.

Examples:

mahān | carati = mahām̐ścarati (RV 3.55.9)

tān | cakre = tām̐ścakre (RV 10.90.8)

vi-bhrājamānān | camasān | ahā-iva = vibhrājamānām̐ścamasām̐ aheva (RV 4.33.6)

jyāyān | ca = jyāyām̐śca (RV 10.90.3)

trīn | ca = trīm̐śca (RV 3.6.9)

śimyūn | ca = śimyūm̐śca (RV 1.100.18)

yān | co iti = yām̐śco (RV 6.66.3)

tān | cit = tām̐ścit (RV 10.154.1)

sūrīn | cit = sūrīm̐ścit (RV 1.173.8)

mahān | carasi = mahām̐ścarasi (RV 10.4.2)

nṝn | cyautnaḥ = nṝm̐ścyautnaḥ (RV 10.50.4)

samudrān | caturaḥ = samudrām̐ścaturaḥ (RV 9.33.6)

vidvān | cikitvān = vidvām̐ścikitvān (RV 3.44.2)

4.75 (But) not (in the words): asmān, camasān and paśūn.

When these words are followed by the c words given in 4.74 above, ‘n’ is not treated like the Visarjanīya and the standard Sandhi rule applies.

Examples:

asmān | ca | tān | ca = asmāñca tām̐śca (RV 2.1.16)

camasān | caturaḥ = camasāñcaturaḥ (RV 1.161.4)

paśūn | ca = paśūñca (RV 1.72.6)

4.76 N is treated like a Visarjanīya in the following combinations:

tān | te = tām̐ste (RV 9.91.5)

sarvāan | tān = sarvām̐stān (RV 8.93.6)

devān | tvam = devām̐stvam (RV 5.13.6)

tān | trāyasva = tām̐strāyasva (RV 7.16.8)

ā-vadan | tvam = āvadam̐stvam (RV 2.43.3)

When n is treated like a Visarjanīya as in Sūtras 4.74 and 4.76 and changed into an ‘s’ or ‘ś’, the Sandhis are called Sparśa-Ūṣman Sandhis, as given in the following Sūtra.

4.77 (Where it is said) that (n) becomes Visarjanīya if (certain) words follow, these are called ‘contact consonant-ūṣman’ combinations.

4.78 & 4.79 The following combinations are simply examples of Sandhis in which the ‘n’ is replaced by a Visarjanīya and the Visarjanīya is unchanged or Vikrānta meaning ‘passed over’.

nṝn | pati-bhyaḥ = nṝm̐ḥ patibhyaḥ (RV Praiṣa 1.7 or Khila 5.7.7)

nṝn | pra-netram = nṝm̐ḥ praṇetram (RV Praiṣa 1.3 or Khila 5.7.3)

nṝn | patram = nṝm̐ḥ patram (RV 1.121.1)

sva-tavān | pāyuḥ = svatavām̐ḥ pāyuḥ (RV 4.2.6)

nṝn | pāhi | śṛṇudhi = nṝm̐ḥ pāhi śṛṇudhī ( RV 8.84.3)

The Sūtra actually gives only the Samhita text, but we have shown above both the word text and Samhita. In the last combination above, the Sandhi follows the normal rule if the first two words (nṝn | pāhi) are not followed by śṛṇudhī:

nṝn | pāhi | asura = nṝn pāhyasura (RV 1.174.1)

4.80 When n is either dropped or becomes r or an Ūṣman, the vowel preceding its position is nasalized.

The vowel preceding ‘n’ is nasalized for all the Sandhis given in Sūtras 4.65-79. The nasalization has been represented here as m̐. In the Vedic text it is shown as an anunāsika (half-moon with dot) over the nasalized vowel.

Irregular Sandhis

4.83 The final letter of the particle īm is dropped, when the words garbham, gāvaḥ, vatsam, mṛjanti, pṛcyate, sakhāyaḥ, vivyāca, punaḥ, riṇanti and ratham follow. This also is an instance of the so-called anvakṣara combination.

The ‘m’ in īm is dropped when the words listed above in 4.83 above follow.

Examples:

yam | īmiti | garbham = yamī garbham (RV 9.102.6)

tam | īmiti | mṛjanti = tamī mṛjanti (RV 9.63.17)

ā | īmiti | riṇanti = e riṇanti (RV 9.71.6)

sam | īmiti | ratham = samī ratham (RV 9.71.5)

4.84 ś is inserted between, when the words puru, pṛthu and adhi precede and the word candra follows; also when the final vowel of the first part of a compound is short.

(puru, pṛthu or adhi) + candra = (puru, pṛthu or adhi)ś + candra

short vowel + candra (in a compound) = short vowel + ś + candra

Examples:

puru | candram = puruścandram (RV 3.31.15)

pṛthu | candram = pṛthuścandram (RV 4.2.13)

adhi | candram = adhiścandram (RV 3.31.15)

puru-candraḥ = puruṣcandraḥ (RV 1.27.11)

sva-candram = svaścandram (RV 1.52.9)

su-candram = suścandram (RV 1.74.6)

viśva-candrāḥ = viśvaścandrāḥ (RV 1.165.8)

aśva-candrāḥ = aśvaścandrāḥ (RV 6.35.4)

hari-candraḥ = hariścandraḥ (RV 9.66.26)

4.85 ṣ (is inserted between), if pari, a part of a compound, is followed by ‘kṛ”.

pari- (beginning a compound) + kṛ = pari + ṣ + kṛ

Examples: (4.85)

pari-kṛtaḥ = pariṣkṛtaḥ (RV 3.28.2)

pari-kṛṇvanti = pariṣkṛṇvanti (RV 9.14.2)

pari-kṛtam = pariṣkṛtam (RV 9.86.24)

4.86 R (is inserted), if vana, (a part of a compound, precedes) and the word sada follows.

Examples:

vana-sadaḥ = vanar-sadaḥ = vanarṣadaḥ (RV 2.31.1)

vana-sadam = vanar-sadam = vanarṣadam (RV 10.132.7)

In the second step, the ‘s’ in ‘sada’ is changed into the retroflex ṣ, according to the rules given in Chapter 5.

4.87 (ṣ is inserted in the phrase) ‘pariṣkṛṇvanti vedhasaḥ’.

This Sūtra gives the Samhita text of the phrase. This irregular Sandhi is similar to Sūtra 4.85, but here it applies outside a compound.

Example:

pari | kṛṇvanti | vedhasaḥ = pariṣkṛṇvanti vedhasaḥ (RV 9.64.23)

4.88 (S is inserted in) askṛtoṣasam.

Example:

akṛta | uṣasam = askṛtoṣasam (RV 10.127.3)

The joining of the two words follows the regular rules but an ‘s’ has been inserted in akṛta- to make askṛta-.

4.89 These combinations (Sūtras 4.84-88) are called ‘pure-syllabic’ or Shauddhākṣara Sandhis.

The term ‘pure-syllabic’ refers to the fact that the sequence of letters in the word text for Sūtras 4.84-88 is vowel-consonant, which would ordinarily result in no change between the word text and Samhita. However, an r, ś, ṣ or s has been inserted to form these irregular Sandhis.

4.90 In (the hymns belonging to) Medhātithi, (the compounds) ending in the words varuṇa and vrata are shortened, if followed by a contact consonant or a semi-vowel.

(-varuṇā, -vratā) + contact consonant or semi-vowel = ( -varuṇa, -vrata) + contact consonant or semi-vowel (for Medhātithi’s hymns)

Examples:

dhṛta-vratā | mitrāvaruṇā | duḥ-dabham = dhṛtavrata mitrāvaruṇa dūḻabham (RV 1.15.6)

indrāvaruṇā | nu | nu = indrāvaruṇa nū nu (RV 1.17.8)

indrāvaruṇā | yām = indrāvaruṇa yām (RV 1.17.9)

4.91 The words ādityā, devā, varuṇā and asurā (are shortened), when followed by the words beginning with yā (enumerated in Sūtra 4.93, as follows.)

4.93 The words beginning with yā (referred to in Sūtra 4.91) are: yā, supratīkam, niṣkṛtam, purohitiḥ, kṣatram, dāśati, śavasā and bhiṣajyathaḥ.

The final ‘ā’ of the words given in 4.91 is shortened to ‘a’ when followed by the words listed in 4.93.

(ādityā, devā, varuṇā, asurā) + (yā, …….,bhiṣajyathaḥ)

= (āditya, deva, varuṇa, asura) + (yā, …….,bhiṣajyathaḥ)

Examples:

asurā | yā = asura yā (RV 1.151.4)

varuṇā | su-pratīkam = varuṇa supratīkam (RV 7.61.1)

devā | niḥ-kṛtam = deva niṣkṛtam (RV 5.67.1)

devā | puraḥ-hitiḥ = deva purohitiḥ (RV 7.61.7)

varuṇā | kṣatram = varuṇa kṣatram (RV 5.64.6)

varuṇā | dāśati = varuṇa dāśati (RV 6.68.5)

ādityā | śavasā = āditya śavasā (RV 7.85.4)

devā | bhiṣajyathaḥ = deva bhiṣajyathaḥ (RV 8.9.6)

4.92 Mitrā (is shortened) when vayam follows.

Example:

mitrā | vayam = mitra vayam (RV 5.66.6)

4.94-98 The following combinations are irregular. (Shown first is the word text and then the Samhita text as actually given in the Sūtras)

saḥ | cit | nu = so cinnu (in hymns of Agastya and in 10^th Mandala) (RV 1.191.10, 10.50.1) 4.94

saḥ | nu | īyate = sānvīyate (RV 1.145.1) 4.95

hi | saḥ | paḻiknīḥ = hi ṣaḥ paḻiknīḥ (RV5.2.4) 4.96

nahi | saḥ | tava = nahi sastava = nahi ṣastava (RV 8.33.16) 4.97

Examples for 4.98:

jughukṣataḥ = jugukṣataḥ (RV 8.31.7)

dudhukṣan = dudukṣan (RV 10.61.10)

abhi | dhakṣat = abhi dakṣat (RV 2.4.7)

All these are irregular Sandhis. We would expect 4.94 to be sa cinnu but the Sandhi follows form as if ‘c’ were a voiced consonant. 4.95 is irregular because the ‘a’ in saḥ becomes ‘ā’ and 4.96 because the Visarjanīya in saḥ is not dropped as expected. In 4.97 the Visarjanīya in saḥ is changed to an ‘s’ instead of being dropped as expected. Finally, Sūtra 4.98 gives 12 irregular words or phrases in which an aspirated gh or dh in the word text becomes an unaspirated g or d in Samhitā.

Notes

Vowels:

a ā ṛ ṝ i ī u ū e o ai au ī3 ḷ

Consonants:

k kh g gh ṅ

c ch j jh ñ

ṭ ṭh ḍ ḍh ṇ

t th d dh n

p ph b bh m

y r l v

h ś ṣ s ḥ CH F ṁ