Review

Every set of chapters ends in a review page that contains a summary of the information covered within it. If you ever forget about the material you've studied, you can open the correspending review page for a refresher.

You can also find some links supplemental lessons near the bottom of each review page. These supplemental lessons are here for a simple reason. Sanskrit grammar will help you to understand the structure and basic meaning of a text, but it's a different thing altogether to understand its deeper significance. Many texts exist within particular traditions, too, and these traditions usually have specialized terms and styles. For that reason, a basic familiarity with many parts of the ancient Indian world will greatly help you understand what a text actually says.

Additionally, I recommend reading these supplements to give yourself a break from Sanskrit itself. A lot of grammar at once isn't always a bad thing, but you'll be able to remember more parts of Sanskrit if you give your current knowledge some time to sink in.

Review

Organizing sounds

VoicedUnvoiced
VowelConsonant
PureCompound SemivowelAspirateNasal Stop"S"-sound
ShortLongMediumStrong
aā h gghkkh
iīeai y ñjjhcch ś
arār r ḍhṭh
l nddhtth s
uūoau v mbbhpph
AnusvāraVisarga
Varga
Letters
kavarga
ka kha ga gha ṅa
cavarga
ca cha ja jha ña
ṭavarga
ṭa ṭha ḍa ḍha ṇa
tavarga
ta tha da dha na
pavarga
pa pha ba bha ma
yavarga
ya ra la va
śavarga
śa ṣa sa ha
WeakMediumStrong
a, āā
i, īeai
ṛ, ṝarār
u, ūoau

Rules for syllables

Supplements

Panini's grammatical system describes the whole of classical Sanskrit. Textual commentary, especially for poems and dramas, often quotes Panini to support a particular reading or interpretation. But even if you don't plan to read commentaries on poems and dramas, it's worthwhile to know a bit about the methods that Sanskrit scholars have used for thousands of years. You can start with some supplementary lessons on Panini. At this point, you should know enough to read lesson 2.1.2 ("The Shiva Sutras") and everything that comes before it.

It's also worthwhile to start studying Sanskrit meter. Again, you can start with some supplementary lessons on Sanskrit meter. At this point, you should know enough to read lesson 2.2.2 ("Gaṇas") and everything that comes before it.

Onward!

You're all done with Sounds, the first unit of this guide!

Now that you have a thorough understanding of Sanskrit pronunciation, we are ready to start reading some actual Sanskrit sentences. Click next → on the bar below to move on to the next unit.