स
Level 3
Sandhi — Phonetic Joining Rules
How sounds merge when words meet in Sanskrit
- Sandhi means 'joining' — the phonetic changes that occur when two sounds meet.
- Sanskrit words change their endings and beginnings when placed next to each other.
- Understanding Sandhi is essential for reading continuous Sanskrit text.
- There are three main types: Swara (vowel), Vyanjana (consonant), and Visarga Sandhi.
- Panini codified Sandhi rules in his Ashtadhyayi (8 chapters of grammar).
- Splitting compound words (Sandhi Viccheda) is a key skill for reading scripture.
Swara Sandhi (Vowel Sandhi)
Rules when two vowels meet
| Rule | Sanskrit Example |
|---|---|
| a/ā + a/ā → ā | राम + अयन = रामायण |
| a/ā + i/ī → e | देव + इन्द्र = देवेन्द्र |
| a/ā + u/ū → o | सूर्य + उदय = सूर्योदय |
| a/ā + ṛ → ar | महा + ऋषि = महर्षि |
| i/ī + vowel → y + vowel | प्रति + एक = प्रत्येक |
| u/ū + vowel → v + vowel | मनु + अन्तर = मन्वन्तर |
| e/ai before vowel → ay/āy | ने + अन = नयन |
Visarga Sandhi
Rules when Visarga (ḥ) meets the next sound
| Rule | Sanskrit Example |
|---|---|
| aḥ + voiced → o | रामः + गच्छति = रामो गच्छति |
| aḥ + a → o' | रामः + अस्ति = रामोऽस्ति |
| ḥ + voiceless → s/ś/ṣ | नमः + ते = नमस्ते |
| āḥ + voiced → ā | देवाः + आगच्छन्ति = देवा आगच्छन्ति |
Vyanjana Sandhi (Consonant Sandhi)
Rules when consonants meet
| Rule | Sanskrit Example |
|---|---|
| t + j → j | सत् + जन = सज्जन |
| t + ś → cch | उत् + श्वास = उच्छ्वास |
| n + c/ch → ñc | सन् + चय = सञ्चय |
| m before consonant → anusvara | सम् + कल्प = संकल्प |