Dīrgha Sandhi — Vowel Lengthening Rule
दीर्घ संधि
When Same Vowels Meet They Merge into One Long Vowel · NCERT Class 6-8
Source: Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī 6.1.101
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Dīrgha = long — when same vowels meet, they lengthen into one long vowel
- ▸a/ā + a/ā → ā | i/ī + i/ī → ī | u/ū + u/ū → ū
- ▸Himālaya: hima (snow) + ālaya (abode) — classic a+ā→ā example
- ▸Vidyālaya: vidyā + ālaya — knowledge + abode = school
Grammar Explained
Dīrgha Sandhi (दीर्घ संधि) applies when two identical vowels (a/ā, i/ī, u/ū, ṛ/ṝ) meet at the junction of two words. They merge into a single long (dīrgha) vowel. Rule: a/ā + a/ā → ā; i/ī + i/ī → ī; u/ū + u/ū → ū
a + a → ā (and all combinations of short and long a)
अ/आ + अ/आ → आ
राम + अयन → रामायण
rāma + ayana → rāmāyaṇa
Rāma + journey = Rāmāyaṇa (a+a→ā)
विद्या + आलय → विद्यालय
vidyā + ālaya → vidyālaya
knowledge + abode = school (ā+ā→ā)
देव + आलय → देवालय
deva + ālaya → devālaya
god + abode = temple (a+ā→ā)
कवि + आलय → कव्यालय
surā + ālaya → surālaya
heaven + abode = heavenly realm (ā+ā→ā)
i + i → ī (and all combinations of short and long i)
इ/ई + इ/ई → ई
गिरि + ईश → गिरीश
giri + īśa → girīśa
mountain + lord = Lord of Mountains (i+ī→ī)
मुनि + इन्द्र → मुनीन्द्र
muni + indra → munīndra
sage + chief = chief of sages (i+i→ī)
u + u → ū (and all combinations of short and long u)
उ/ऊ + उ/ऊ → ऊ
भानु + उदय → भानूदय
bhānu + udaya → bhānūdaya
sun + rising = sunrise (u+u→ū)
वधू + उत्सव → वधूत्सव
vadhū + utsava → vadhūtsava
bride + festival = wedding celebration (ū+u→ū)
Exercises (3)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Apply Dīrgha Sandhi — combine these word pairs
1. हिम + आलय = ?
Hint: a + ā → ā
Show answer
हिमालय (himālaya) — snow + abode = Himalaya
2. राम + अर्थ = ?
Hint: a + a → ā
Show answer
रामार्थ (rāmārtha) — for Rāma's purpose
3. सखि + इत्र = ?
Hint: i + i → ī
Show answer
सखीत्र (sakhītra) — friend's
4. साधु + उपदेश = ?
Hint: u + u → ū
Show answer
साधूपदेश (sādhūpadeśa) — saint's teaching
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Sandhi Vicchheda — split these compound words
1. महात्मा (mahātmā) = _______ + _______
Hint: ā + ā → ā reversed
Show answer
महा (mahā) + आत्मा (ātmā) = great + soul
2. देवालय (devālaya) = _______ + _______
Hint: a + ā → ā reversed
Show answer
देव (deva) + आलय (ālaya) = god + abode
3. हिमालय (himālaya) = _______ + _______
Show answer
हिम (hima) + आलय (ālaya) = snow + abode
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct sandhi result
1. What is the Dīrgha Sandhi of "vidyā + āśrama"?
Show answer
विद्याश्रम
2. Which type of sandhi applies when i + ī → ī?
Show answer
Dīrgha
3. Rāmāyaṇa is formed by which sandhi?
Show answer
Dīrgha (a+a→ā)
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