Some Technical Terms of Sanskrit Grammar
By Kshitish Chandra Chatterjee
Summary
In this short article, the author elucidates several technical terms used in classical Sanskrit grammar. He explains concepts such as sandhi (euphonic combination), samāsa (compound formation), kāraka (semantic case relation) and lakāra (verbal tense/mode). By providing clear definitions and examples from Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī and later commentaries, the article serves as a primer for students of Vyākaraṇa. The author emphasises the logical structure of Pāṇini’s system and shows how seemingly arcane terminology reflects a sophisticated linguistic analysis.
Conclusion
The article concludes that familiarity with basic grammatical terms is essential for engaging with Sanskrit literature. Understanding sandhi, samāsa and kāraka not only aids translation but also reveals the analytical brilliance of ancient Indian linguists.