Sandhi Vicchheda — Practice Set 1 (Beginner)
संधि विच्छेद — अभ्यास १
Split These Sanskrit Compound Words · Class 6 Level
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Vicchheda = vi (apart) + chhed (√chid — to cut) = separation
- ▸Most tested: Dīrgha (ā→a+ā, etc.), Guṇa (e→a+i, o→a+u), Visarga (namaste)
- ▸Strategy: look at the junction → identify long vowel or sandhi consonant → reverse
- ▸Himālaya, Vidyālaya, Rāmāyaṇa = most tested Dīrgha sandhi examples
Grammar Explained
Sandhi Vicchheda (संधि विच्छेद) means "sandhi separation." Vi (apart) + chhed (√chid — to cut). Given a sandhi compound, identify the two original words. This is the most common exam question type in Class 6-8 CBSE Sanskrit.
How to do Sandhi Vicchheda
Look at the junction vowel/consonant → identify the sandhi rule → reverse it
हिमालय → हिम + आलय
himālaya → hima + ālaya
snow + abode (Dīrgha: ā reversed to a+ā)
गणेश → गण + ईश
gaṇeśa → gaṇa + īśa
group + lord (Guṇa: e reversed to a+ī)
नमस्ते → नमः + ते
namaste → namaḥ + te
salutation + to you (Visarga: s reversed to aḥ)
स्वागत → सु + आगत
svāgata → su + āgata
well + arrived (Yāṇ: sv reversed to su+ā)
देवालय → देव + आलय
devālaya → deva + ālaya
god + abode (Dīrgha: ā reversed to a+ā)
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Sandhi Vicchheda — split these words
1. विद्यालय (vidyālaya) = _______ + _______
Show answer
विद्या + आलय (knowledge + abode = school)
2. महात्मा (mahātmā) = _______ + _______
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महा + आत्मा (great + soul)
3. रामायण (rāmāyaṇa) = _______ + _______
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राम + अयन (Rāma + journey)
4. देवेन्द्र (devendra) = _______ + _______
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देव + इन्द्र (god + chief = Indra)
5. महर्षि (maharṣi) = _______ + _______
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महा + ऋषि (great + sage)
6. सूर्योदय (sūryodaya) = _______ + _______
Show answer
सूर्य + उदय (sun + rising = sunrise)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Identify the sandhi rule
1. हिमालय uses which sandhi?
Show answer
Dīrgha
2. गणेश uses which sandhi?
Show answer
Guṇa
3. नमस्ते uses which sandhi?
Show answer
Visarga
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