Grammar Topics

This page provides a systematic overview of all grammatical topics in the Sanskrit course. Each of the 61 lessons is categorized thematically here.

1. Phonology & Script (Saṃhitā & Lipi)

• Introduction to Sounds: Systematics and pronunciation -> Lesson 1
• Script Introduction (Devanāgarī):
• Vowels and simple consonants -> Lesson 40
• Conjunct consonants (Ligatures) -> Lesson 41 & Lesson 42
• Sandhi (Sound Combination):
• Sandhi of final -s/Visarga -> Lesson 2, Lesson 3, Lesson 30
• Sandhi of -m, -e, -d -> Lesson 4
• Vowel Sandhi -> Lesson 3, Lesson 24
• Sandhi of -n -> Lesson 7
• Sandhi for Nasals -> Lesson 21, Lesson 26
• Cerebralisation (n -> ṇ / s -> ṣ) -> Lesson 10, Lesson 26
• Word Sandhi (h-, ch-) -> Lesson 44, Lesson 51
• Consonant Sandhi (Summaries) -> Lesson 16, Lesson 43

2. Lexicology (Morphology)

2.1 Nouns and Adjectives (Declension)

• Fundamentals: Case Grammar -> Lesson 1, Lesson 2
• A-stems (Masculine & Neuter) -> Lesson 2, Lesson 7
• I- and U-stems -> Lesson 3, Lesson 27, Lesson 52
• Consonant stems:
• Stems ending in -mant / -vant -> Lesson 13
• Stems ending in -n (Rājan, Ātman) -> Lesson 38
• Simple consonant stems -> Lesson 51, Lesson 54
• Root nouns ending in -ā, -ī, -ū -> Lesson 61
• The Dual of nouns -> Lesson 49, Lesson 50, Lesson 53
• Numbers & Comparison:
• Numeral words (Cardinals/Ordinals) -> Lesson 52
• Comparison (Comparative/Superlative) -> Lesson 53

2.2 Pronouns & Adverbs

• Pronouns:
• Interrogative and demonstrative pronouns -> Lesson 4
• Relative pronoun (yad) -> Lesson 19
• Personal pronouns (1st & 2nd person) -> Lesson 46, Lesson 47
• Indefinite pronouns -> Lesson 37
• Adverbs & Address:
• Formation of adverbs -> Lesson 37, Lesson 52
• Polite address & vocative -> Lesson 21, Lesson 44

2.3 Verbs (Conjugation)

• The Present System (Indicative):
• Personal endings (3rd, 2nd, 1st person) -> Lesson 6, Lesson 44, Lesson 39
• Thematic classes (1, 4, 6, 10) -> Lesson 6, Lesson 28
• Athematic classes -> Lesson 17, Lesson 33, Lesson 7, Lesson 31, Lesson 8, Lesson 30
• Other Tenses & Moods:
• Imperfect (Past) -> Lesson 32
• Optative & Imperative -> Lesson 30, Lesson 48
• Perfect (Singular/Plural) -> Lesson 34, Lesson 35, Lesson 36
• Perfect (Dual) -> Lesson 60
• Future (Simple & Periphrastic) -> Lesson 26, Lesson 61
• Aorist (Past) -> Lesson 54, Lesson 55, Lesson 56, Lesson 57, Lesson 58
• Derived Verb Forms:
• Passive & Causative -> Lesson 10, Lesson 28, Lesson 29
• Intensive & Denominative -> Lesson 61
• Verbs in the Dual (Paired Number) -> Lesson 59, Lesson 60

2.4 Nominal Derivations & Compounds

• Compounds (Samāsa):
• Dvandva (Copulative Compound) -> Lesson 5, Lesson 9
• Tatpuruṣa (Determinative Compound) -> Lesson 15, Lesson 18
• Upapada Compound -> Lesson 51
• Bahuvrīhi (Possessive Compound) -> Lesson 20
• Suffixes & Participles:
• Important Suffixes (-a, -ana, -tra, etc.) -> Lesson 8, Lesson 9
• PPP (Perfect Passive Participle) -> Lesson 12, Lesson 13
• PPA (Perfect Active Participle) -> Lesson 52
• Absolutive & Infinitive -> Lesson 22, Lesson 23

3. Sentence Grammar (Syntax)

• The Nominal Sentence -> Lesson 2
• The Interrogative Sentence -> Lesson 37
• Case Usage:
• Nominal Sentence & Nominative -> Lesson 2
• Accusative (also double) -> Lesson 7, Lesson 11
• Instrumental -> Lesson 10
• Genitive -> Lesson 14
• Dative -> Lesson 24
• Ablative -> Lesson 25
• Locative -> Lesson 27
• Subordinate Clauses:
• Relative Clauses -> Lesson 19
• Usage of Participles -> Lesson 12, Lesson 44

4. Metrics (Verse Theory)

Sanskrit philosophy and literature are often composed in verses. Metrics teaches the rhythm and structure of these verses.

• Introduction & Śloka -> Lesson 45, Lesson 53
• Advanced Metres (Trīṣṭubh, Jāgatī) -> Lesson 54