SAMASA (समास)

समासाः (COMPOUND WORDS)

• Samāsa means the condensation of two or more words into a single compound word.
• These compounds are governed by specific grammatical rules and classified into various types based on their structure and meaning.

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1. अव्ययीभाव समासः (AVYAYĪBHĀVA SAMĀSA)

Sutra: अव्ययीभावे चाकाले ॥2.1.6॥

Explanation: When an indeclinable word (avyaya) comes first and governs the meaning of the compound, it is called Avyayībhāva Samāsa. The compound functions as an indeclinable word.

Example:

• उपरि + गृहम् = उपरिगृहं (On the house)

• यथा + शक्ति = यथाशक्ति (According to ability)

2. तत्पुरुष समासः (TATPURUṢA SAMĀSA)

This is a compound in which the first member qualifies or determines the second member. It has several subtypes based on the vibhakti used:

(a) षष्ठी तत्पुरुष:

Sutra: षष्ठी समासे ॥2.2.8॥

Explanation: The first word is in sixth case (genitive).

Example:

• राज्ञः + पुरुषः = राजपुरुषः (The king’s man)

(b) द्वितीया तत्पुरुष:

Sutra: द्वितीया तत्पुरुषे ॥2.2.2॥

Explanation: The first word is in the accusative case.

Example:

• ग्रामं + गच्छति = ग्रामगामी (One who goes to village)

(c) तृतीया तत्पुरुष:

Sutra: तृतीया तत्पुरुषे ॥2.2.4॥

Explanation: The first word is in instrumental case.

Example:

• दण्डेन + हन्यते = दण्डहारी (One who beats with a stick)

(d) चतुर्थी तत्पुरुष:

Sutra: चतुर्थी समासे ॥2.2.5॥

Explanation: The first word is in dative case.

Example:

• देवाय + यज्ञः = देवयज्ञः (Sacrifice for God)

(e) पञ्चमी तत्पुरुष:

Sutra: पञ्चमी समासे ॥2.2.6॥

Explanation: The first word is in ablative case.

Example:

• शत्रोः + भयम् = शत्रुभयम् (Fear of enemy)

(f) सप्तमी तत्पुरुष:

Sutra: सप्तमी समासे ॥2.2.10॥

Explanation: The first word is in locative case.

Example:

• ग्रामे + स्थितः = ग्रामस्थः (Situated in village)

(g) षष्ठीतत्पुरुष बहुलम्:

Sutra: षष्ठ्याः समासः बहुलम् ॥2.2.8॥

Explanation: It has multiple interpretations but primarily indicates possession.

Example:

• राज्ञः + मन्त्रः = राजमन्त्रः (King’s advice)

3. कर्मधारय समासः (KARMADHĀRAYA SAMĀSA)

Sutra: समाहितः कर्मधारयः

Explanation: A special type of Tatpuruṣa where both elements describe the same entity. Usually, adjective+noun or noun+noun.

Example:

• नीलः + कमलः = नीलकमलम् (Blue lotus)

4. द्विगु समासः (DVIGU SAMĀSA)

Sutra: द्विगुरेकवचनम् बहुव्रीहिः ॥2.4.1॥

Explanation: A type of Bahuvrīhi Samāsa where the first word is a numeral and the compound indicates a person or object possessing the quantity of something.

Example:

• पञ्च + नदः = पञ्चनदः (Land of five rivers - Punjab)

• त्रयो + लोका = त्रैलोक्यं (Three worlds)

5. द्वन्द्व समासः (DVANDVA SAMĀSA)

Sutra: द्वन्द्वे चैकवचनम् ॥2.4.6॥

Explanation: A compound formed by joining two or more nouns of equal importance.

Example:

• रामः + लक्ष्मणः = रामलक्ष्मणौ (Rama and Lakshmana)

6. बहुव्रीहि समासः (BAHUVRĪHI SAMĀSA)

Sutra: बहुव्रीहिरज्ञानात् ॥2.2.24॥

Explanation: The compound does not refer to either constituent but to something else possessing the quality.

Example:

• पितुः + धनम् = पितृधनः (One who has father’s wealth)

7. अपादान समास (APAADĀNA SAMĀSA)

Sutra: पञ्चमी समासे ॥2.2.6॥

Explanation: Indicates the source or point of separation.

Example:

• गिरेः + अपगः = गिर्यपगः (River from mountain)

8. उपपद तत्पुरुष (UPAPADA TATPURUṢA)

Sutra: उपपदमतिङ् ॥2.2.19॥

Explanation: A compound where the verb root (dhātu) is combined with an indeclinable or noun.

Example:

• राज्ञे + यज्ञः = राजयज्ञः (Sacrifice for king)

9. नञ् तत्पुरुष (NAÑ TATPURUṢA)

Sutra: नञि नञ् समासे ॥2.2.6॥

Explanation: A compound starting with negation prefix “न” or “निः”.

Example:

• न + गुणः = निर्गुणः (Without qualities)