Guṇa Sandhi — When a Meets i, u, or ṛ
गुण संधि
The Most Common Vowel Sandhi in Sanskrit · NCERT Class 6-8
Source: Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī 6.1.87
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Guṇa = quality — the middle vowels e, o, ar are the "guṇa" of i/ī, u/ū, ṛ respectively
- ▸a/ā + i/ī → e | a/ā + u/ū → o | a/ā + ṛ → ar
- ▸Gaṇeśa: gaṇa + īśa (a+ī→e) — most common Guṇa sandhi example
- ▸Maharṣi: mahā + ṛṣi (ā+ṛ→ar) — great sage; Sanskrit for "maharishi"
Grammar Explained
Guṇa Sandhi applies when a or ā is followed by a different vowel (i/ī, u/ū, or ṛ). The two vowels merge into a guṇa vowel. Guṇa means "quality" — the middle quality of each vowel set. Rules: a/ā + i/ī → e | a/ā + u/ū → o | a/ā + ṛ/ṝ → ar
a/ā + i/ī → e
अ/आ + इ/ई → ए
देव + इन्द्र → देवेन्द्र
deva + indra → devendra
god + chief = Indra, king of gods (a+i→e)
गण + ईश → गणेश
gaṇa + īśa → gaṇeśa
group + lord = Gaṇeśa (a+ī→e)
महा + इन्द्र → महेन्द्र
mahā + indra → mahendra
great + Indra = Mahendra (ā+i→e)
राम + ईश → रामेश
rāma + īśa → rāmeśa
Rāma + lord = lord Rāma (a+ī→e)
a/ā + u/ū → o
अ/आ + उ/ऊ → ओ
सूर्य + उदय → सूर्योदय
sūrya + udaya → sūryodaya
sun + rising = sunrise (a+u→o)
चन्द्र + उदय → चन्द्रोदय
candra + udaya → candrodaya
moon + rising = moonrise (a+u→o)
महा + उत्सव → महोत्सव
mahā + utsava → mahotsava
great + festival = grand festival (ā+u→o)
a/ā + ṛ → ar
अ/आ + ऋ → अर्
महा + ऋषि → महर्षि
mahā + ṛṣi → maharṣi
great + sage = great sage (ā+ṛ→ar)
देव + ऋषि → देवर्षि
deva + ṛṣi → devarṣi
divine + sage = divine sage (a+ṛ→ar)
Exercises (3)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Apply Guṇa Sandhi
1. गण + ईश = ?
Hint: a + ī → e
Show answer
गणेश (Gaṇeśa)
2. सूर्य + उदय = ?
Hint: a + u → o
Show answer
सूर्योदय (sūryodaya — sunrise)
3. महा + ऋषि = ?
Hint: ā + ṛ → ar
Show answer
महर्षि (maharṣi — great sage)
4. देव + इन्द्र = ?
Hint: a + i → e
Show answer
देवेन्द्र (devendra — king of gods)
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Sandhi Vicchheda — split these words
1. गणेश (Gaṇeśa) = _______ + _______
Show answer
गण (gaṇa) + ईश (īśa)
2. महोत्सव (mahotsava) = _______ + _______
Show answer
महा (mahā) + उत्सव (utsava)
3. महर्षि (maharṣi) = _______ + _______
Show answer
महा (mahā) + ऋषि (ṛṣi)
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Identify the Guṇa Sandhi type
1. महेन्द्र (mahendra) is formed by which Guṇa rule?
Show answer
ā + i → e
2. सूर्योदय (sūryodaya — sunrise) uses which rule?
Show answer
a + u → o
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