Lesson 39: Sanskrit for Beginners Course: Dvandva-Itaretara Compound

Summary:

Compound > Dvandva > Itaretara

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


This session deals with: CH16, pg 210.

Dvandva Compound:

  • What is “dvandva”? It means: Two words. So two or more words associated, making up ONE whole word.
  • Dvandva has 2 types:
    1. Itaretra
      • What is “itaretara”? Study 3 examples below…
        • Example 1:
          • English:                        Man and son.
          • Ordinary:                    naraḥ putraḥ ca   नरः पुत्रः
          • Dvandva itaretara:  naraputrau  नरपुत्रौ
        • Example 2:
          • English:                          Man, son and sage.
          • Ordinary:                      naraḥ putraḥ muniḥ ca  नरः पुत्रः मुनिः
          • Dvandva itaretara:   naraputramunayaḥ  नरपुत्रमुनयः
        • Example 3:
          • English:                       From the sage and from the army.
          • Ordinary:                    muneḥ senāyāḥ ca  मुनेः सेनायाः
          • Dvandva itaretara: munisenābhyām  मुनिसेनाभ्याम्
      • What do you notice from above?
        1. All words (except the LAST word) — are written in STEM format.
        2. If 2 words — LAST word is DUAL. Example 1/3
        3. If more then 2 words — LAST word is PLURAL. Example 2
        4. LAST word is declined according to the paradigm of the LAST word. Example 1/2/3
      • DOUBT: Look at Example 2 above again.
        • How to know whether it's saying:
          • Men, sons and sages. OR…
          • Man, son and sage. OR…
          • Any other combo.
        • ANSWER: Context of story will tell. If story mentioned three men, one son and many sages  — then you'll know Example 2 is referring to that many.
      • SPECIAL RULE FOR WORDS ENDING IN -AN: (pg 212 #14)
        • If STEM ends in an (EG: jan, karman, ātman, nāman) — the word loses last letter “n“.
        • If LAST word ends in -an, then it ALWAYS takes nara pardigm (LRB 1).
        • Example:
          • Self and king: ātmarājau  आत्मराजौ 
             

            • Notice ātman has lost the “n“.
            • Notice LAST word takes nara paradigm.
    2. Samāhāra
      • Next session.

Homework:

Questions:

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Recorded 27 June, 2021

 

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