Sanskrit (Paper-II): Grammar, Sandhi and Literature
OSSTET Paper-II Sanskrit tests grammar, translation, comprehension and familiarity with classical literature. Accuracy in inflection and sandhi matters more than decorative translation.
Core rules and concepts
- Sandhi: svara and vyañjana sandhi; recognise guṇa, vṛddhi, dīrgha, yaṇ and ayādi changes; always split back to the original forms.
- Samāsa: tatpuruṣa, karmadhāraya, dvigu, dvandva, bahuvrīhi, avyayībhāva; the name depends on the relation between members.
- Kāraka and vibhakti: nominative, accusative, instrumental, dative, ablative, genitive, locative; singular/dual/plural; ātmanepada/parasmaipada.
- Literature: Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata, Kālidāsa, Bhāsa, Bāṇabhaṭṭa; identify author, work and context.
Worked example
Join सूर्य + उदयः. The final अ of सूर्य combines with initial उ of उदयः: अ + उ = ओ, a guṇa sandhi, giving सूर्योदयः. Reasoning: the result is not a simple juxtaposition; the vowel change follows the guṇa rule. If the answer keeps both vowels separate, sandhi has not been applied.
Traps that cost marks
Writing visarga or anusvāra incorrectly; choosing the wrong vibhakti for the verb; confusing dual and plural; labelling a samāsa by literal meaning alone; translating idioms word-for-word; attributing a verse to the wrong poet.