Lesson 32: Sanskrit for Beginners Course: Semester 2 + Relative-Correlative

Summary:

Vowel strengthening. Sandhi revision. Nouns with stems ending in: ī  ई  (EG: nadī नदी). Relative-Correlative Clauses.

Source: Introduction to Sanskrit (4th Ed) – Thomas Egenes – Part One


This session deals with: CH13, pg 167-172

Vowel Strength:

  • What is it?
    • Vowel progression that happens in different grammar forms. EG: Swim, swam, swum
    • 2 things are noticed in above:
      1. Only vowel changes.
      2. It changes the meaning of the word.
  • Why should I know about this?
    • 2 Reasons:
      1. Confidence:
        • Helps you understand HOW roots are strengthened to form verbs/nouns.
      2. Word Meaning:
        • In Sanskrit, one doesn't have to learn entire dictionary of words. But only the roots (2000+). If can extract the root out of the word, then can approximate the word meaning.
    • Example that Illustrates both Reasons above: √dhṛ > dhar(ma) > dhār(mika)      √धृ > धर्(म) > धार्(मिक)
      • Next time we see word “dharma” — we can recognize it came from √dhṛ. If we know √dhṛ means “to uphold, sustain, maintain” — we can approximate meaning of “dharma“.
      • Refer to pg 167, #2 for more examples.

Sandhi:

  • Pg 167 #4-8 revises sandhi.
  • When NOT to apply sandhi: (pg 170, #9)
    • If word1 ends in i, ī, u, ū, e (इ, ई, उ, ऊ, ए) — and declines as dual ending (EG: phale, “2 fruit”).
      • EG:
        1. bāle āgacchataḥ  (बाले आगच्छतः)  (Two girls come)
           

          • Should be: bāla āgacchataḥ. But it's IMMUNE to sandhi (due to above rule) — thus REMAINS: bāle āgacchataḥ
        2. nagare ahaṃ paśyāmi (नगरे अहं पश्यामि)  (I see two cities)
          • REMAINS same because nagare is dual.
          • But what if we say “I see in the city” > nagare ahaṃ paśyāmi > Then we apply sandhi > nagare ‘haṃ paśyāmi  (नगरे ऽहं पश्यामि)
    • Don't apply sandhi on Vocative (when addressing something/someone).
      • EG: aho aśvaḥ tatra gacchati > Remains exactly the same (don't touch o).

Homework:

  • Write out new paradigm on pg 171, or LRB 11.
  • Memorize new vocab with ” ī ” words on pg 178.
  • Produce 10 sentences using new words on pg 178,

Questions:

You'll have more questions throughout the course. How to ask? Leave in comments below, so others can also benefit. We'll respond within 48 hours. Only ask specific to this Lesson.

 

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Recorded 18 April, 2021

 

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