Kerala SSLC Sanskrit Academic key terms

The sound change that occurs when two Sanskrit words or word elements meet, often joining final and initial sounds into a modified form; sandhi rules explain both written and spoken combinations.

A Sanskrit compound in which two or more words combine into a single grammatical unit; the compound functions as one word and its meaning depends on the relation between its members.

The semantic role a noun plays in relation to an action, such as doer, object, instrument, recipient, source or location; karaka analysis underlies Sanskrit case usage and sentence meaning.

A grammatical case ending added to a noun or pronoun to show its relation to other words; Sanskrit has eight case forms, including nominative, accusative, instrumental and locative.

A suffix or grammatical ending attached to a root or stem to form a new word or inflected form; pratyayas include case endings, tense endings and derivational suffixes such as ktva and tumun.

A basic verbal root from which Sanskrit words are formed through prefixes, suffixes and endings; knowing a dhatu helps explain verb forms and related nouns.

A sandhi rule in which a simple vowel is followed by a similar simple vowel and the two merge into the corresponding long vowel, as a plus a becomes aa.

A sandhi change in which a or aa followed by i, ii, u, uu, or r leads to the guna vowels e, o, or ar respectively; it is a common vowel combination in Sanskrit.

A sandhi change in which a or aa followed by e, o, ai or au produces the vriddhi vowels ai or au; it is stronger than guna and often appears in derivation.

A compound in which the final member is the main word and the earlier member qualifies it, often corresponding to a case relation such as of, by or for.

A compound that joins two or more words of equal status, usually translated with and; each member retains its own meaning and the compound names the group.

A compound that names something by describing a possession or quality, so the whole compound refers to a person or thing other than its members; for example, one with a good name.

A compound in which one member describes or qualifies the other, and the final member remains the main word; it is often called a descriptive compound.

A compound whose first member is an indeclinable and whose whole form functions as an indeclinable; it usually expresses a relation such as up to, near or without.

The karaka role of the doer or agent who performs an action; in a sentence it is commonly expressed by the nominative case, though passive constructions may use the instrumental.

The karaka role of the object directly affected by the action of a transitive verb; it is commonly expressed by the accusative case in active sentences.

The karaka role of the instrument or means by which an action is performed; it is commonly expressed by the instrumental case ending in Sanskrit.

The karaka role of the location or support where an action takes place; it is commonly expressed by the locative case in Sanskrit.

A primary suffix added to a verbal root to form an indeclinable participle meaning having done or after doing; the resulting form usually ends in tvaa.

A primary suffix added to a verbal root to form an infinitive expressing purpose, usually translated as to do or for the sake of doing; it ends in tum.

A word that does not change form for case, gender or number, such as an adverb, preposition-like particle or conjunction; indeclinables are called avyaya in Sanskrit grammar.

A prefix added to a verbal root that modifies or sharpens its meaning, such as pra, paraa, anu or vi; upasargas are important in forming new Sanskrit verbs.

The metrical system of Sanskrit poetry, covering syllable count, light and heavy syllables, and prescribed patterns for each metre; chandas helps identify and recite verse correctly.

A fixed Sanskrit metre defined by the number and pattern of light and heavy syllables in each quarter of a verse; examples include anushtup and vasantatilaka.

A group of three syllables used in Sanskrit prosody to describe metre patterns; the eight possible ganas have names such as ya, ra, ta and bha.

A light syllable in Sanskrit prosody, usually a short vowel not followed by a consonant cluster; it is marked with a vertical line or the letter I in metre notation.

A heavy syllable in Sanskrit prosody, containing a long vowel, a short vowel followed by a consonant cluster, or a final syllable of a quarter; it is marked with a horizontal line or S.

A syllable in Sanskrit prosody, the basic unit counted when analysing metre; each akshara is classified as light or heavy according to its vowel and following sounds.

A quarter or line of a Sanskrit verse; most metres have four padas, and the syllable pattern of each pada helps identify the vritta.

A prescribed pause or caesura within a Sanskrit verse, indicating where the reciter may pause; yati positions are fixed by the metre and affect chanting.

The repetition of similar sounds, especially initial consonants of syllables, at corresponding positions in a verse; prasa is a common sound ornament in Sanskrit poetry.

A very common Sanskrit metre with eight syllables in each of four padas; it is the metre of many epic verses and simple devotional stanzas.

Sanskrit prose, as opposed to verse; in the syllabus it refers to prescribed prose passages that are read for comprehension, vocabulary and sentence structure.

A figure of speech that compares one thing to another using words such as like or as; it highlights a shared quality between the two.

A figure of speech in which one thing is identified with another without using a word of comparison; the metaphor treats the two as the same.

A figure of speech in which the poet imagines or fancies one thing to be another, often using words meaning as if or perhaps; it presents a creative supposition.

A sound figure in which the same consonant is repeated pleasingly in nearby syllables; it adds rhythm and musicality to a verse or prose passage.

Translation, especially rendering a passage from Sanskrit into Malayalam or another language while preserving meaning, tone and grammatical sense; it is a common composition exercise.

A summary or condensation of a passage that keeps the main ideas and omits minor details; in examinations it tests comprehension and clear expression.

Letter writing in Sanskrit, including the proper greeting, body, closing and address; formal and informal letters follow conventions of polite address and sequence.