Sanskrit Grammar Basics
Introduction to Sanskrit Grammar
Sanskrit grammar is one of the most systematic and comprehensive grammatical systems in the world. Understanding its structure is essential for mastering the language.
Three Genders (लिङ्ग - liṅga)
Masculine (पुल्लिङ्ग - pullinga)
Words ending in -aḥ, -as, -āḥ
Example: रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama
Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग - strīliṅga)
Words ending in -ā, -ī, -ū
Example: सीता (sītā) - Sita
Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग - napuṃsakaliṅga)
Words ending in -am, -a
Example: जलम् (jalam) - water
Three Numbers (वचन - vacana)
Singular (एकवचन - ekavacana)
One person or thing
Example: रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama
Dual (द्विवचन - dvivacana)
Two persons or things
Example: रामौ (rāmau) - Two Ramas
Plural (बहुवचन - bahuvacana)
More than two persons or things
Example: रामाः (rāmāḥ) - Many Ramas
Eight Cases (विभक्ति - vibhakti)
| Case | Sanskrit | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | प्रथमा (prathamā) | Subject | रामः पठति (rāmaḥ paṭhati) - Rama reads |
| Accusative | द्वितीया (dvitīyā) | Direct object | पुस्तकं पठति (pustakaṃ paṭhati) - Reads a book |
| Instrumental | तृतीया (tṛtīyā) | By/with | लेखनी लिखति (lekhanī likhati) - Writes with a pen |
| Dative | चतुर्थी (caturthī) | To/for | रामाय ददाति (rāmāya dadāti) - Gives to Rama |
| Ablative | पञ्चमी (pañcamī) | From | ग्रामात् आगच्छति (grāmāt āgacchati) - Comes from village |
| Genitive | षष्ठी (ṣaṣṭhī) | Of | रामस्य पुस्तकम् (rāmasya pustakam) - Rama's book |
| Locative | सप्तमी (saptamī) | In/at | ग्रामे वसति (grāme vasati) - Lives in village |
| Vocative | सम्बोधन (sambodhana) | Addressing | हे राम (he rāma) - O Rama |
Verb Conjugation
Sanskrit verbs are conjugated according to person, number, tense, mood, and voice.
Present Tense (लट् - laṭ)
पठ् (paṭh) - to read
- पठति (paṭhati) - he/she reads
- पठतः (paṭhataḥ) - they two read
- पठन्ति (paṭhanti) - they read
Common Grammatical Terms
Nouns (नाम - nāma)
- संज्ञा (saṃjñā) - Proper noun
- जाति (jāti) - Common noun
- भाव (bhāva) - Abstract noun
Verbs (क्रिया - kriyā)
- धातु (dhātu) - Root verb
- प्रत्यय (pratyaya) - Suffix
- विभक्ति (vibhakti) - Case ending
Learning Tips
- Start with declensions - Learn noun endings first
- Practice with simple sentences - Build from basic structures
- Memorize case functions - Understand when to use each case
- Study verb roots - Learn common verb forms
- Use parallel texts - Compare Sanskrit with translations
Conclusion
Sanskrit grammar may seem complex at first, but its systematic nature makes it logical and learnable. With practice and patience, you can master the fundamental structures of this classical language.