Introduction: Sanskrit language has scripts or alphabets for writing, and grammatical rules for sentence formation, just like any other language (English for example). In this chapter we will get an overview of this. The details with their grammatical rules will be covered in subsequent chapters.
In Sanskrit language Devanagari Script is the mostly used script for writing. Most of the Sanskrit literature are in this script. Following is the list of the alphabets in their correct order.
Alphabets & Their Classification:
अ a
आ aa
इ i
ई ii
उ u
ऊ uu
ऋ RRi
ॠ RRI
ए e
ऐ ai
ओ o
औ au
घ gh
ङ N^
च ch
छ chh
ज j
झ jh
ञ JN
ट T
ठ Th
ड D
ढ Dh
ण N
न n
प p
फ ph
ब b
भ bh
म m
य y
र r
ल l
व v
श sh
ष Sh
क k
ख kh
ग g
त t
थ th
द d
ध dh
स s
ह h
. ksh
/ dny
All these alphabets are classified into two major groups i.e., •
Vowels or 0वरवण1 (svaravarNa):
Alphabets starting from अ (a) till औ (au) are the
vowels. These are further classified into 20व (hrasva) and द3घ1 (diirgha). The द3घ1 (diirgha) are pronounced double the length (or time) of 20व (hrasva).
• •
20व hrasva
अ a
आ aa
इ i
उ u
द3घ1 diirgha
ई ii
ऊ uu
ऋ RRi
ॠ RRI
ए e
ऐ ai
Consonants or 4य5जनवण1 (vyaJNjanavarNa):
ओ o
औ au
Alphabets starting from क (k) till /
(dny) are the consonants. Some of the consonants are further classified into different groups called वग1 (varga). Following table has this classification. Some of the gramatical rules for Euphonic Combination or सि7ध (sandhi) and Compound Words or समास (samaasa) are based on these वग1 (varga). कवग1 kavarga
क k
ख kh
ग g
घ gh
ङ N^
चवग1 chaavarga
च ch
छ chh
ज j
झ jh
ञ JN
टवग1 Taavarga
ट T
ठ Th
ड D
ढ Dh
ण N
तवग1
त
थ
द
ध
न
tavarga
t
th
d
dh
n
पवग1 pavarga
प p
फ ph
ब b
भ bh
म m
We will refere these classifications, while covering the Euphonic Combination or सि7ध (sandhi) and Compound Words or समास (samaasa).
In Sanskrit just like any other language (English for example) a sentence is made of different elements. The elements are "Subject", "Object", and "Verb". A sentence may or may not have an Object in it.
Sentence Formation Overview:
Lets study the following English sentence to understand these basic elements better. The boy is reading a book. In the sentence "boy" is the "Subject", "reading" is "Verb" and the "book" is the "Object". The boy is reading a book. ------------| | | Subject Verb Object •
If we ask the question "who is reading?", the answer that comes is "the boy". So, the "boy" here is the Subject. It is also called the "Noun".
•
The answer that comes in response to question "what is the boy doing?" is "reading". The "reading" here is the "Verb".
•
Similarly the answer to "what is the boy reading?" is "book". The "book" becomes the "Object".
Now study the following statement. The boy is laughing. In the sentence "boy" is the "Subject", "laughing" is "Verb". But, there is no "Object" in this sentence. The boy is laughing. --------| | Subject Verb •
If we ask the question "what is the boy laughing?", no answer comes from this. So, laughing becomes an "Intranstive Verb".
•
However in the first sentence "what is the boy reading?" gives answer "book". In this case the "reading" becomes a "Transitive Verb".
Now that we have understood the basic elements of a sentence, we will begin with more details of Sanskrit language. In Sanskrit:
•
Subject is called -> कता1 / kartaa
•
Object is called
-> कम1 / karma
•
Verb is called
-> 9:या / kriyaa
•
Transitive Verb is called
•
Intransitive Verb is called -> अकम1क / akarmaka
So, in the above statements: The boy is --| Subject | कता1/kartaa
-> सकम1क / sakarmaka
reading ------| Verb |
कम1/karma The boy is --| Subject | कता1/kartaa
a book. ----| Object | 9:या/kriyaa(सकम1क / sakarmaka)
laughing. ------| Verb | 9:या/kriyaa (अकम1क / akarmaka)
Words & Their Classification: In any language a sentence is madeup of multiple words composed in a well defined structure giving a sensible meaning to the sentence. These words can be categorised into three different types viz.,
• • •
Noun Verb Indeclinable
Besides the above classifications nouns and verbs can also be part of following categories with minor derivations like addition of 'ility', 'ily', 'tion', 'ing' etc., as well as based on their usage and grammatical rules: • • •
Pronoun Adjective Adverb
In Sanskrit also words are classified into similar categories. Following is a representation of the important classifications. We can see the classification is almost same as any other language. Each classification has been described in the coming chapters. |--------------- Noun Root (श;द / shabda) | | | -----------------------------| | | | सव7तपद ु त=>तपद | taddhitapada
suvantapada
| |
| --------------------------------------
------|
|
|
| Word Neuter
(पद
/
pada)
----|
Masculine
Feminine
प?ल@ग ु
|
Aी?ल@ग
नप@सक?ल7ग ु |
puliN^ga
striiliN^ga
napuN^sakalinga | | |--------------- Verb Root (धातु / dhaatu) | -------------------------------------------| | Cतङतपद कद7तपद ृ tiN^atapada kRRidantapada | -----------------------------------------------------------| | | पर0मैपद3
आFमनेपद3
उभयपद3 parasmaipadii ubhayapadii
aatmanepadii
Noun is the word that represents someone or something in a sentence. Noun normally refers to person, place, thing, state or quality etc. A noun is the only word that can be used as the subject or object for a verb. Nouns (श;द श;द / shabda):
Noun in Sanskrit is called श;द (shabda) or noun-root. It is also called कत1प ृ द (kartRRipada). Noun can be classified into सव7तपद (suvantapada) and त=>तपद ु (taddhitapada). •
सव7तपद (suvantapada): ु
This classification is based on the gender, number and case of the noun. The noun-forms are used to express something or someone etc. सव7तपद or suvantapada meaning - words ending with सप ु ु ् (sup) suffix. In
this classification: o
Nouns are categorised into three different "genders" (?ल@ग / liN^ga) viz.,
"masculine"
(पं?ु ल@ग
/
pu.nliN^ga),
"feminine"
striiliN^ga) and "neuter" (नपंुसक?ल@ग / napu.nsakaliN^ga).
(Aी?ल@ग
/
o
Each noun also has three "numbers" (वचन / vachana) and 7 "cases" (=वभJK / vibhakti).
Each noun has a different derivation based on the "number" and "case". Unlike other languages, in Sanskrit the noun has its different forms built into itself. The "noun base" is called श;द (shabda) and the "derived noun forms" are called श;दLप (shabdarupa). So, in the previous statement बालक is the "base" (श;द / shabda) of noun "BOY" and बालकः is one of the derived noun forms (श;दLप / shabdarupa). •
त=>तपद (taddhitapada):
In this classification special suffixes are added to the noun to get noun forms used as - subject, adjectives, indeclinable etc.
We will start with first 2 cases and all three numbers of सव7तपद (suvantapada) BOY ु (बालक / baalaka) and GIRL (वाला / vaalaa) श;द / shabda. Once we know how to use noun forms (श;दLप / shabdarupa) in sentences, we will cover all the cases and their usage rules. Boy / बालक / baalaka (Masculine / पं?ु ल@ग / pu.nliN^ga) Case =वभJK / vibhakti Nominative (Subject) Nथमा / prathamaa Accusative (Object) PQतीया / dvitiiyaa
Singular एकवचन /
Dual ि0ववचन /
ekavachana
dvivachana
Plural वहवचन / ु vahuvachana
बालकः / baalakaH
बालकौ / baalakau
बालकाः / baalakaaH
(the boy)
(two boys)
(the boys)
बालकम ् / baalakam
बालकौ / balakau
बालकान ् / baalakaan
(to the boy)
(to two boys)
(to the boys)
Girl / वाला / vaalaa (Femenine / Aी?ल@ग / striiliN^ga) Case =वभJK / vibhakti Nominative (Subject) Nथमा / prathamaa Accusative (Object)
Singular एकवचन /
Dual ि0ववचन /
Plural वहवचन / ु
ekavachana
dvivachana
vahuvachana
वाला / vaalaa
वाले / vaale
वालाः / vaalaaH
(the girl)
(two girls)
(the girls)
वालाम ् / vaalaam
वाले / valae
वालाः / vaalaaH
PQतीया / dvitiiyaa
(to the girl)
(to two girls)
(to the girls)
Examples of noun form (श;दLप / shabdarupa): •
The boy
-> बालकः
/ baalakaH
•
Many boys
-> बालकाः
/ baalakaaH
•
To the boy
-> बालकम ्
/ baalakam
•
To the boys -> बालकान ्
•
The girl
-> वाला
/ vaalaa
•
Many girls
-> वालाः
/ vaalaaH
•
To the girl
-> वालाम ्
•
To the girls -> वालाः
/ baalakaan
/ vaalaam / vaalaaH
The complete noun form (श;दLप / shabdarupa) for बालक श;द (baalaka shabda) will have 7 different forms for each number. The singular forms include "the boy", "to the boy", "by the boy", "for/to the boy", "from the boy", "of the boy", and "in the boy". Besides these 7 forms an additional vocative ("O! boy") case is also their. All these we will study in detail in coming chapters. The complete श;दLप (shabdarupa) is listed in Chapter 11. Followings are few more nouns (श;दLप / shabdarupa). We will use these in sentences later in this chapter. School / =वRालय / vidyaalaya (Masculine / पं?ु ल@ग / pu.nliN^ga) Case =वभJK / vibhakti
Singular एकवचन / ekavachana
Nominative Nथमा /
=वRालयः / vidyaalayaH
dvivachana
Plural वहवचन / vahuvachana ु
=वRालयौ /
=वRालयाः /
vidyaalayau
vidyaalayaaH
=वRालयम ् /
=वRालयौ /
=वRालयान ् /
vidyaalayam
vidyaalayau
vidyaalayaan
prathamaa Accusative PQतीया / dvitiiyaa
Dual ि0ववचन /
Book / प0तक / pustaka (Nuter / नपंुसक?ल@ग / napu.nsakaliN^ga) ु Case =वभJK / vibhakti
Singular एकवचन / ekavachana
Dual ि0ववचन / dvivachana
Plural वहवचन / vahuvachana ु
Nominative Nथमा / prathamaa
प0तकम ् / pustakam ु
प0तक े / pustake ु
प0तकाCन / pustakaani ु
Accusative PQतीया / dvitiiyaa
प0तकम ् / pustakam ु
प0तक े / pustake ु
प0तकाCन / pustakaani ु
*** In अकारा7त / akaaraanta nuter (नपंुसक?ल@ग / napu.nsakaliN^ga), both Nominative and Accusative cases have the same form.
Me / अ0मS / asmad (All Genders / TU?ल@गक / triliN^gaka) Case =वभJK / vibhakti
Singular Dual Plural एकवचन / ekavachana ि0ववचन / dvivachana वहवचन / vahuvachana ु
Nominative Nथमा / prathamaa Accusative PQतीया / dvitiiyaa
अहम ् / aham
आवाम ् / aavaam
वयम ् / vayam
माम ् / maam
आवाम ् / aavaam
अ0मान ् / asmaan
मा / maa
नौ / nau
नः / naH
You / य0मS / yusmad (All Genders / TU?ल@गक / triliN^gaka) ु Case =वभJK / vibhakti
Singular Dual Plural एकवचन / ekavachana ि0ववचन / dvivachana वहवचन / vahuvachana ु
Nominative Nथमा / prathamaa Accusative PQतीया / dvitiiyaa
Fवम ् / tvam
यवाम ् / yuvaam ु
ययम ् / yuuyam ू
Fवाम ् / tvaam
यवाम ् / yuvaam ु
यWमान ् / yuShmaan ु
Fवा / tvaa
वाम ् / vaam
वः / vaH
Pronouns (सव1 सव1नाम पद / sarvanaama pada):
Words like he, she, this, that, these etc., are
called pronoun. Pronouns in Sanskrit are called सव1नाम पद (sarvanaama pada). The rules for pronouns are exactly same as the nouns (श;द / shabda). Verb (धात धातु / dhaatu):
Verb normally refers to action, state, existence or occurrence etc.
Verb in Sanskrit is called धातु (dhaatu) or verb root. It is also known as 9:यापद (kriyaapada).
It
(kRRidantapada).
can
be
classified
into
Cतङतपद
(tiN^atapada)
and
कद7तपद ृ
•
Cतङतपद (tiN^atapada):
This classification is based on the tense and mood of the verb. The verb-forms are used as normal verbs to express some action or state etc. Cतङतपद or tiN^atapada meaning - words ending with Cतप ् (tip) suffix.
In this classification: o
Each Verb can have any of the 10 tenses (लकार / lakaara). Howver only 5 are enough to use Sanskrit in daily life.
o
Each verb can be of three different numbers, Singular (एकवचन / ekavachana),
Dual
(Qीवचन
/
dviivachana)
and
Plural
(वहवचन ु
/
vahuvachana). o
Each verb can be of three persons viz., Third (Nथम / prathama), Second (मXयम / madhyama) and First (उYम / uttama).
o
Each verb can belong to categories पर0मैपद3 (parasmaipadii), आFमनेपद3 (aatmanepadii)
or
उभयपद3
(ubhayapadii).
Verbs
of
पर0मैपद3
(parasmaipadii) category represent 'action whose result is for others'. आFमनेपद3 (aatmanepadii) represents 'action whose result is for self', and उभयपद3 (ubhayapadii) represents 'action whose result is both for others and self'. Just like noun (श;द / shabda), each verb (धातु / dhaatu) also has different derivations based on the "tense", "number' and "person". This is called "verb form" (धातLप / dhaaturupa). The verb-forms differ based on this category. ु The "root" of a verb is called धातु (dhaatu). धातु (dhaatu) does not have any "gender".
•
कद7तपद (kRRidantapada): ृ
In this classification special suffixes are added to the verb to get verb-forms used as - subject, pronoun, adjectives, indeclinable etc.
Followings are the Cतङतपद (tiN^atapada) verb-forms (धातLप / dhaatutupa) of READ ु (पZ / paTH) धातु (dhaatu) and GO (गम ् / gam) धातु (dhaatu) in present tense (ल[लकार / laTlakaara). Once we are acquainted with the verb usage in a sentence, we will cover all other different forms. Read / पZ / paTh Person / पLष / ु puruSha
Number / वचन / vachana Singular एकवचन /
Dual Qीवचन / dviivachana
Plural वहवचन / ु
ekavachana
vahuvachana
Third Nथम / prathama
पठCत / paThati
पठतः / paThataH
पठि7त / paThanti
(is reading)
(both are reading)
(many are reading)
Second मXयम / madhyama
पठ?स / paThasi
पठथः / paThathaH
पठथ / paThatha
(you are reading)
(you two are reading)
(you all reading)
पठा?म / paThaami
पठावः / paThaavaH
पठामः / paThaamaH
(i am reading)
(both of us reading)
(all of us reading)
First उYम / uttama
Go / गम ् / gam Person / पLष / ु puruSha
Number / वचन / vachana Singular एकवचन / ekavachana
Third Nथम / prathama
ग\छCत / gachchhati (is going)
Second ग\छ?स / gachchhasi मXयम / madhyama (you are going) First उYम / uttama
Plural वहवचन / ु
Dual Qीवचन / dviivachana ग\छतः / gachchhataH (both are going) ग\छथः / gachchhathaH (you two are going)
vahuvachana ग\छि7त / gachchhanti (many are going) ग\छथ / gachchhatha (you all are going)
ग\छा?म /
ग\छावः /
ग\छामः /
gachchhaami (i am going)
gachchhaavaH (both of us going)
gachchhaamaH (all of us going)
Lets study a sample use of shabdarupa and dhaaturupa using the above. These will help in learning the sentence formation rules. the boy is reading
- बालकः पठCत / baalakaH paThati
the boys are reading - बालकाः पठि7त / baalakaaH paThanti the girl is reading
- वाला पठCत / vaala paThati
the girls are reading - वालाः पठि7त / vaalaaH paThanti you are reading
- Fवं पठ?स / tvam
paThasi
you all are reading - ययं ु पठथ / yuyam paThata i am reading
- अहं पठा?म / aham paThaami
we are reading - वयं पठामः / vayam paThaamaH All the sentences above have the "Subject" (कता1 / kartaa) and a "Verb" (9:या / kriyaa). In all the sentences, the number (वचन / vachana) and person (पLष / ु puruSha) of the "Verb" (9:या / kriyaa) match number (वचन / vachana) and person (पLष ु
/
puruSha)
of
the
"Subject"
(कता1
/
kartaa).
Say in the sentence "the boy is reading" (बालकः पठCत / baalakaH paThati), the "boy" (बालकः / baalakaH) is in third person singular (NथपपLष एकवचन / prathamapuruSha ु ekavachana). Similarly the "Verb" (9:या / kriyaa) is also in third person singular एकवचन
(NथपपLष ु
/
prathamapuruSha
ekavachana).
However the verb does not change if the gender of the "Subject" change. This can be seen in the sentence "the girl is reading" (वाला पठCत / vaalaa paThati). Rule 1: The verb (धातु / dhaatu) always follows number (वचन / vachana) and
person
(पLष ु
/
puruSha)
of
the
noun
(श;द
/
shabda).
Rule 2: The verb (धातु / dhaatu) remains same irrespective of the gender (?ल@ग
/
liN^ga)
of
the
"Subject"
(कता1
/
kartaa).
Rule 3: The verb form (धातLप / dhaaturupa) is always in second person ु (मXयमपLष ु
/
madhyamapuruSha),
if
the
noun
used
is
अ0मS
श;द
(asmad
shabda). The verb form (धातLप / dhaaturupa) is always in first person ु (उYमपLष / uttamapuruSha), if the noun used is य0मS श;द (yusmad shabda). ु ु All other nouns prathamapuruSha). Indeclinable
(अ4ययपद अ4ययपद
will
/
always
avyayapada):
be
in
Indeclinable
third
in
person
Sanskrit
is
(NथमपLष ु
called
/
अ4ययपद
(avyayapada). Unlike shabdarupa and dhaaturupa अ4ययपद / avyayapada do not change in its form. It remains same irrespective of gender, number, person and tense. Followings are few examples: kutra / कU ु atra / कU ु tatra / तU api / अ=प
- where - here - there - too
Few sample statements using indeclinable (अव ्ययपद / avyayapada): where is the boy going
- बालकः कU ग\छCत / baalakaH kutra ु
the boy is going there
- बालकः तU ग\छCत / baalakaH tatra
gachchhati gachchhati
where are the boys going - बालकाः कU ु ग\छि7त / baalakaaH kutra gachchhanti the boys are going there - बालकाः तU ग\छि7त / baalakaaH tatra gachchhanti Note that the अ4ययपद (avyayapada) remains the same irrespective of the number, and
person
of
the
"Subject"
(कता1
/
kartaa).
Rule 4: Indeclinables (अ4ययपद / avyayapada) never change in form and remain same irrespective of the person and number of the "Subject" (कता1 /kartaa). Adjective is the word that expresses an attribute or property of something or someone. Only nouns can be used adjectives. In Sanskrit it is called =वशेषण (visheShaNa). Adjective always follows the gender (?ल@ग / liN^ga) Adjective (=वशे =वशेषण / visheShaNa):
and number (वचन / vachana) of the subject or the word for which it is an adjective. Followings are few examples: blue sky
- Cनलः आकाशः / nilaH aakaashaH
white cloud - 0वेतः मेघः / svetaH meghaH In above sentences the words blue and white represent an attribute of sky and cloud. So, these are adjectives for the words sky and cloud respectively. In Sanskrit sentence can be in any of the following three voices. 'Impersonal Voice' is specific to Sanskrit language only and this sentence formation is normally not seen in other languages like English.
Voice (वा\य वा\य / vaachya):
1. Active voice or कत1व ृ ा\य (kartRRI vaachya). 2. Passive voice or कम1वा\य
(karma vaachya).
3. Impersonal voice or भाववा\य (bhava vaachya).
Now that we know the basics of Sanskrit sentence formation, their different elements, classification of alphabets and words, we will study the rules in detail in subsequent chapters.
We will study "Active Voice" in this chapter with examples. Other two sentence formations will be covered in chapter 7 and 8 later. All subsequent chapters are in active voices except chapter 7 and 8. Active Voice (कत1 कत1व ृ ा\य / kartRRIvaachya):
Study the following statements. आ@]लभाषा / English
सं0कत ृ / Sanskrit
Subject (कता1 / kartaa) the boy बालः / baalaH
Verb (9:या / kriyaa)
Object (कम1 / karma)
1. the boy is going
बालः ग\छCत baalaH gachchhati
going ग\छCत / gachchhati
-
2. i am going
going i am अहं ग\छा?म ग\छा?म / aha.n gachchhami अहं / aha.n gachchhami
-
3. the boy is reading
बालः पठCत baalaH pathati
the boy बालः / baalaH
4. i am reading
अहं पठा?म aha.n pathaami
reading i am पठा?म / अहं / aha.n pathaami
-
the boy बालः / baalaH
going ग\छCत / gachchhati
to school =वRालयम ् / vidyaalayam
going i am ग\छा?म / अहं / aha.n gachchhami
to school =वRालयम ् / vidyaalayam
reading पठCत / pathati
-
बालः =वRालयम ् 5. the boy is going to school
ग\छCत baalaH vidyaalayam gachchhati
6. i am going to school
अहं =वRालम ् ग\छा?म aha.n vidyaalayam gachchhami
7. the boy is reading the book
बालकः प0तकम ् पठCत the boy ु बालकः / baalakaH pustakam paThati baalakaH
8. i am reading the book
अहं प0तकम ् पठा?म ु aha.n pustakam paThaami
reading पठCत / pathati
reading i am पठा?म / अहं / aha.n pathaami
the book प0तकम ् / ु pustakam the book प0तकम ् / ु pustakam
These are all examples of Active Voice or कत1व ृ ा\य (kartRRivaachya). Sentence 1 to 4 do not have any "Object" or कम1 (karma) in them. So these are intransitive or अकम1 कत1व ृ ा\य (akarmaka kartRRivachya).
Rule 5: In a कत1व ृ ा\य (kartRRivaachya) the "Subject" or कता1 (kartaa) is always in the "nominative case" or Nथमा =वभJK (prathamaa vibhakti).
Sentence 5 to 8 have "Object" or कम1 (karma) like =वRालयम ् (vidyaalayam), प0तकम ् ु (pustakam) in them. So, these are transitive or सकम1क कत1व ृ ा\य (sakarmaka kartRRivachya). Rule 6: In a कत1व ृ ा\य (kartRRivaachya) the "Object" or कम1 (karma) is always in the "accusative case" or PQतीया =वभJK (dvitiiyaa vibhakti).
Verb Forms (Cतङ7तपद Cतङ7तपद / tiN^antapada):
In chapter 1 we were introduced with verb (9:या /
kriyaa) and its use. We learnt that in Sanskrit धातु (dhaatu) is the base or root of all verbs. Each verb is a derivative or धातLप (dhaaturupa) of it's root. We also learnt ु that in a sentence the verb (धातु / dhaatu) always follows the person (पLष / puruSha) ु and number (वचन / vachana) in which the Subject or कता1 (kartaa) is. Verb normally refers
to
action,
state,
existence
or
occurrence
etc.
In this chapter we will study the 5 mostly used verb-forms or लकार (lakaara) out of 10 verb-forms that a verb can have. The 5 verb-forms covered are enough for dayto-day use of Sanskrit. Verb or धातु (dhaatu) has 10 different Cतङ7तपद (tiN^antapada) forms known as लकार (lakaara) and they are listed below. •
ल[लकार / laTlakaara
•
ल[लकार / lRRiTlakaara ृ
•
ल@लकार / laN^lakaara
•
आझयांलो[लकार / aajhaayaa.nloTlakaara
•
=वधै?ल@लकार / vidhailiN^lakaara
•
?ल[लकार / liTlakaara
•
ल[लकार / lRRiTlakaara ु
•
आशी?ल@लकार / aashiiliN^lakaara
•
ल@लकार / luN^lakaara ु
•
ल@लकार / lRRiN^lakaara ृ
We will study the first 5 verb-forms in detail, in coming chapters. Followings are some common features of different लकार (lakaara) in Sanskrit.
Each लकार (lakaara) has verb-forms for three persons (पLष / puruSha) and three ु numbers (वचन / vachana). So, in total each लकार (lakaara) has 9 different verb-forms or धातLप (dhaaturupa) in it. ु The persons are third person (NथमपLष / prathamapuruSha), second person (मXयमपLष ु ु / madhyamapuruSha) and first person (उYमपLष / uttamapuruSha). धातLप ु ु (dhaaturupa) in first person (उYमपLष / uttamapuruSha) are always used with अ0मS ु (asmad) श;द i.e., 'Me' as the Subject in the sentence. धातLप (dhaaturupa) in second ु person (मXयमपLष / madhyamapuruSha) is always used with य0मS (yusmad) श;द i.e., ु ु 'You' as Subject in the sentence. The third person (NथमपLष / prathamapuruSha) is ु used in all other cases. Similarly each person (पLष / puruSha) has three numbers (वचन / vachana), which ु are singlar (एकवचन / ekavachana), dual (Qीवचन / dviivachana) and plural (वहवचन / ु vahuvachana). The number (वचन / vachana) of the धातLप (dhaaturupa) always follows the number ु (वचन / vachana) of the Subject or श;दLप (shabdarupa) in the sentence. The gender (?ल@ग / liN^ga) of the Subject does not affect the धातLप (dhaaturupa). ु In coming chapters we will study the different verb-forms (धातLप / dhaaturupa) in ु detail. For easier and simpler study while describing the different verb-forms we have used पZ / paTh (read) and गम ् / gam (go) धातु / dhaatu for sentence formation. At the end of each chapter Practice Sentences are given using many commonly used nouns and verbs. Studying the Practice Sentences will help building a good vocabulary for day-to-day conversasion in Sanskrit.
ल[लकार / laTlakaara (Present Tense):
ल[लकार (laTlakaara) represents verb-forms in
present tense (वत1मानकाल / vartamaanakaala). So, while forming a sentence which is in present tense, the verb (9:या / kriaa) has to be in ल[लकार (laTlakaara). The complete ल[लकार / laTlakaara of पZ / paTh (read) and गम ् / gam (go) धातु / dhaatu are given at the end of this chapter for reference. Study the following sentences. These are in वत1मानकाल (vartamaanakaala) or present tense.
आ@]लभाषा / English
सं0कत ृ / Sanskrit
Subject श;द /
Verb धातु /
Comments
shabda
dhaatu
Present Tense - Third Person Singular वत1मानकाल NथमपLष एकवचन / vartamaanakaala prathamapuruSha ekavachana ु 1. The boy is reading.
बालकः पठCत baalakaH paThati
बालक baalaka
पZ paTh
-
2. The girl is reading.
वा?लका पठCत vaalikaa paThati
वा?लका vaalikaa
पZ paTh
-
3. Rama is reading.
रामः पठCत raamaH paThati
राम raama
पZ paTh
-
4. Sita is reading.
सीता पठCत siitaa paThati
सीता siitaa
पZ paTh
-
5. The boy is going.
बालकः ग_छCत baalakaH gachchhati
बालक baalaka
गम ् gam
-
6. The girl is going.
वा?लका ग_छCत vaalikaa gachchhati
वा?लका vaalikaa
गम ् gam
-
Present Tense - Third Person Plural वत1मानकाल NथमपLष वहवचन / vartamaanakaala prathamapuruSha vahuvachana ु ु 7. The boys are reading.
बालकाः पठि7त baalakaaH paThanti
बालक baalaka
पZ paTh
-
8. The girls are reading.
वा?लकाः पठि7त vaalikaaH paThati
वा?लका vaalikaa
पZ paTh
-
9. Students are reading.
\छाUाः पठि7त chchhaatraaH paThati
\छाU chchhaatra
पZ paTh
-
10. Clearks are reading.
?ल=पकाराः पठि7त lipikaaraaH paThanti
?ल=पकार lipikaara
पZ paTh
-
11. The boys are going.
बालकाः ग\छि7त baalakaaH gachchhanti
बालक baalaka
गम ् gam
-
12. The girls are going.
वा?लकाः ग\छि7त vaalikaaH gachchhanti
वा?लका vaalikaa
गम ् gam
-
In setences 1 to 6, the Subject (कता1 / kartaa) is in 3rd person singular (NथमपLष ु एकवचन / prathamapuruSha ekavachana). As the verb always follows the number and peson, the verb (पठCत / paThati) is also in 3rd person singular (NथमपLष एकवचन / ु
prathamapuruSha
ekavachana).
In case of setences 7 to 12, the Subject (कता1 / kartaa) is in 3rd person plural (NथमपLष वहवचन / prathamapuruSha vahuvachana). Similarly the verb (पठि7त / ु ु paThanti) is also in NथमपLष वहवचन / prathamapuruSha vahuvachana of verb पZ ु ु (paTh). One thing we can note that the gender of Subject does not affect the verb-form in use. Only the number and person are followed by verb. In case sentences 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 the Subject are in musculine (पि@ल7ग / puN^linga) gender. In case of ु sentences 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 the Subject are in feminine (Aी?ल@ग / striiliN^ga). However
in
neither
case
the
verb
depends
upon
the
gender.
All the above sentences were in third person (NथमपLष / prathamapuruSha). Now let ु us study the following sentences. These are in second person (मXयमपLष / ु madhyamapuruSha) and first person (उYमपLष / uttamapuruSha). ु
आ@]लभाषा / English
सं0कत ृ / Sanskrit
Subject श;द / shabda
Verb धातु / dhaatu
Comments
Present Tense - Second Person Singular वत1मानकाल मXयमपL ु ष/ एकवचन / vartamaanakaala madhyamapuruSha ekavachana 13. You are going.
Fवं ग\छ?स tva.n gachchhasi
य0मS ु yusmad
गम ् gam
-
14. You are reading.
Fवं पठ?स tva.n paThasi
य0मS ु yusmad
पZ paTh
-
Present Tense - First Person Singular वत1मानकाल उYमपLष एकवचन / vartamaanakaala uttamapuruSha ekavachana ु 15. I am going.
अहं ग\छा?म aha.n gachchhaami
अ0मS asmad
गम ् gam
-
16. I am reading.
अहं पठा?म aha.n paThaami
अ0मS asmad
पZ paTh
-
Present Tense - Second Person Plural वत1मानकाल मXयमपLष वहवचन / vartamaanakaala madhyamapuruSha vahuvachana ु ु 17. You all are going.
ययं ु ग\छथ yua.n gachchhatha
य0मS ु yusmad
गम ् gam
-
18. You all are reading.
ययं ु पठथ yua.n paThatha
य0मS ु yusmad
पZ paTh
-
Present Tense - First Person Plural वत1मानकाल उYमपLष वहवचन / vartamaanakaala uttamapuruSha vahuvachana ु ु
19. We all are going.
वयं ग\छामः vaya.n gachchhaamaH
अ0मS asmad
गम ् gam
-
20. We all are reading.
वयं पठामः yua.n paThaamaH
अ0मS asmad
पZ paTh
-
In sentences 13 and 14 the Subject (kartaa) is in second person singular (मXयमपLष ु एकवचन / madhyamapuruSha ekavachana) and in case of 17 and 18 the Subject वहवचन / madhyamapuruSha ु vahuvachana). We can see that in all these sentences the Subject used is य0मS ु (kartaa)
is
in
second
person
plural
(मXयमपLष ु
(yusmad) श;द (shabda). In case of second person the kartaa is always य0मS ु श;द
(yusmad)
(shabda).
In sentences 15 and 16 the Subject is in first person singular (उYमपLष एकवचन / ु uttamapuruSha ekavachana). In case of 19 and 20 the Subject is in first person plural (उYमपLष वहवचन / uttamapuruSha vahuvachana). In all these sentences the ु ु Subjects used is अ0मS (asmad) श;द (shabda). In case of first person the kartaa is always
अ0मS
श;द
(asmad)
(shabda).
As we know unlike English or any other language, Sanskrit language has three different numbers viz., singular, plural and dual. This dual number is specific to Sanskrit and must be used accordingly. The followings are the dual number form of above sentences.
आ@]लभाषा / English
Subject श;द / shabda
Verb धातु / dhaatu
बालक baalaka
पZ paTh
-
वा?लका vaalikaa
पZ paTh
-
सं0कत ृ / Sanskrit
Comments
Present Tense - Dual वत1मानकाल PQवचन / vartamaanakaala dvivachana 21. Two boys are reading.
बालकौ पठतः baalakau paThataH
22. Two girls are reading.
वा?लके पठतः vaalike paThataH
23. Two boys are going.
बालकौ ग\छतः baalakau gachchhataH
बालक baalaka
गम ् gam
-
24. Two girls are going.
वा?लके ग\छतः vaalike gachchhataH
वा?लका vaalikaa
गम ् gam
-
25. Two students are reading.
\छाUौ पठतः chchhatrau
\छाU chchhaatra
पZ paTh
-
paThataH 26. Two clearks are reading.
?ल=पकारौ पठतः lipikaarau paThataH
27. Both of you are going.
?ल=पकार lipikaara
पZ paTh
-
यवां ु ग\छथः yuvaa.n gachchhathaH
य0मS ु yusmad
गम ् gam
-
28. Both of you are reading.
यवां ु पठथः yuvaa.n paThathaH
य0मS ु yusmad
पZ paTh
-
29. Both of us are going.
आवां ग\छावः aavaa.n gachchhaavaH
अ0मS asmad
गम ् gam
-
30. Both of us are reading.
आवां पठावः aavaa.n paThaavaH
अ0मS asmad
पZ paTh
-
At the end of this chapter in Verb Forms - Practice Sentences 1 a collection of many Sanskrit sentences using ल[लकार / laTlakaara are given. You will know about many more
nouns
(श;द
/
shabda)
and
verbs
(धातु
/
dhaatu)
in
those.
In the next chapter we will study ल[लकार (lRRiTlakaara) or future tense. ृ
Read / पZ / paTh : ल[लकार / laTlakaara
(Present tense / वत1मानकाल / vartamaanakaala) Person / पLष / ु puruSha
Number / वचन / vachana Singular एकवचन /
Dual Qीवचन /
Plural वहवचन / ु
ekavachana
dviivachana
vahuvachana
Third Nथम / prathama
पठCत / paThati
पठतः / paThataH
पठि7त / paThanti
Second मXयम / madhyama
पठ?स / paThasi
पठथः / paThathaH
पठथ / paThatha
First उYम / uttama
पठा?म / paThaami
पठावः / paThaavaH
पठामः / paThaamaH
Go / गम ् / gam : ल[लकार / laTlakaara
(Present tense / वत1मानकाल / vartamaanakaala)
Person / पLष / ु puruSha
Number / वचन / vachana Singular एकवचन / ekavachana
Third Nथम / prathama
ग\छCत / gachchhati
Second ग\छ?स / gachchhasi मXयम / madhyama First उYम / uttama
Dual Qीवचन / dviivachana ग\छतः / gachchhataH ग\छथः / gachchhathaH
Plural वहवचन / ु vahuvachana ग\छि7त / gachchhanti ग\छथ / gachchhatha
ग\छा?म /
ग\छावः /
ग\छामः /
gachchhaami
gachchhaavaH
gachchhaamaH
