SANDHI - II

सन्धिः (SANDHI)

• In Sanskrit grammar, Sandhi refers to the rules of phonetic combination that occur when two sounds come together.
• These rules help maintain the euphonic flow of words.
• Sandhi is broadly classified into व्यञ्जन सन्धि/हल् सन्धि (Vyanjana Sandhi/Hal Sandhi) and विसर्ग सन्धि (Visarga Sandhi).
• Below are different types of Sandhi with their respective Sutras, explanations, and examples.

1. व्यञ्जन सन्धिः/हल् सन्धिः (Vyanjana Sandhi/Hal Sandhi) - Consonant Sandhi

• It occurs when a consonant meets another letter.

Example:

• तद् + ददाति = तद्ददाति

2. श्चुत्व सन्धिः (Shcutva Sandhi)

Sutra: श्चुना श्चुः ॥8.4.40॥

Explanation: When the letters "श" and "ष" appear before "च, छ, ज, झ," they change to "श्".

Example:

• विश् + चित = विश्चित

3. ष्टुत्व सन्धिः (Shtutva Sandhi)

Sutra: ष्टुना ष्टुः ॥8.4.41॥

Explanation: When "ष" appears before "ट, ठ, ड, ढ," it changes to "ष्".

Example:

• दुष् + टर = दुष्टर

4. जश्त्व सन्धिः (Jashtva Sandhi)

Sutra: जश्त्वम् ॥8.4.65॥

Explanation: The voiced stops (ग, ज, ड, द, ब) convert into their corresponding unvoiced forms (क, च, ट, त, प) in certain conditions.

Example:

• सत् + गुण = सत्त्वगुण

5. अनुनासिक सन्धिः (Anunasika Sandhi)

Sutra: अनुनासिके अनुनासिकः ॥8.4.58॥

Explanation: When a nasal sound is followed by a non-nasal sound, the nasal consonant is replaced by an anusvāra.

Example:

• सिंह + असि = सिंहोऽसि

6. परसवर्ण सन्धिः (Parasavarna Sandhi)

Sutra: परसवर्णः ॥8.4.56॥

Explanation: A nasal consonant assumes the articulation of the following non-nasal consonant.

Example:

• सं + गम् = संगम्

7. चार्त्व सन्धिः (Chartva Sandhi)

Sutra: चरः प्रत्ययात् ॥8.4.17॥

Explanation: The letter "च" changes to "क" in specific conditions.

Example:

• मच् + भव = मख्भव

8. पूर्वसवर्ण सन्धिः (Poorvasavarna Sandhi)

Sutra: पूर्वसवर्णः ॥6.1.101॥

Explanation: When two vowels of the same type meet, they merge into one.

Example:

• राम + इति = रामेति

9. छुत्व सन्धिः (Chhutva Sandhi)

Sutra: छुत्वम् ॥8.4.42॥

Explanation: The letter "छ" transforms into "ष" under specific conditions.

Example:

• गुह + छाया = गुह्षाया

10. अनुस्वार सन्धिः (Anusvara Sandhi)

Sutra: अनुस्वारस्य ययि परसवर्णः ॥8.4.59॥

Explanation: When a nasal sound precedes a consonant, it changes into an anusvāra.

Example:

• सं + कार = संकार

11. तुगागम सन्धिः (Tugagama Sandhi)

Sutra: तुगागमः ॥7.2.80॥

Explanation: The augment "तुक्" appears in certain verb forms.

Example:

• गम् + ति = गन्ति

12. रुत्वादेश सन्धिः (Rutva-Aadesha Sandhi)

Sutra: ऋत्वादेशः ॥8.3.15॥

Explanation: The letter "ऋ" changes into "र" under certain conditions.

Example:

• पितृ + भक्तिः = पित्रभक्तिः

These Sandhi rules form the foundation of correct pronunciation and grammar in Sanskrit texts.

Understanding and applying these rules enhances fluency and accuracy in Sanskrit composition and recitation.