Yāṇ Sandhi — Semi-Vowel Substitution
यण् संधि
i, u, ṛ Before a Different Vowel Become y, v, r · NCERT Class 7-8
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Yāṇ = the Pāṇinian abbreviation for y, v, r, l (the semi-vowels)
- ▸i/ī → y | u/ū → v | ṛ → r (before a different vowel)
- ▸Svāgata (welcome) = su + āgata — the most common Yāṇ sandhi word in daily life
- ▸Ityādi (and so on) = iti + ādi — seen in Sanskrit texts everywhere
Grammar Explained
Yāṇ Sandhi (named from the technical term "yaṇ" in Pāṇini's grammar) applies when i/ī, u/ū, or ṛ is followed by a different vowel. They convert into their corresponding semi-vowels: i/ī → y | u/ū → v | ṛ → r
i/ī + (different vowel) → y
इ/ई + (any other vowel) → य्
इति + आदि → इत्यादि
iti + ādi → ityādi
"thus" + "beginning" = and so on, et cetera (i+ā→y+ā)
यदि + अपि → यद्यपि
yadi + api → yadyapi
if + also = even if, although (i+a→y+a)
u/ū + (different vowel) → v
उ/ऊ + (any other vowel) → व्
अनु + एषण → अन्वेषण
anu + eṣaṇa → anveṣaṇa
after + seeking = search, investigation (u+e→v+e)
सु + आगत → स्वागत
su + āgata → svāgata
well + come = welcome (u+ā→v+ā)
ṛ + (different vowel) → r
ऋ + (any other vowel) → र्
पितृ + आज्ञा → पित्राज्ञा
pitṛ + ājñā → pitrājñā
father's + command = father's command (ṛ+ā→r+ā)
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Apply Yāṇ Sandhi
1. सु + आगत = ?
Hint: u → v before ā
Show answer
स्वागत (svāgata — welcome!)
2. इति + आदि = ?
Hint: i → y before ā
Show answer
इत्यादि (ityādi — and so on)
3. अनु + एषण = ?
Hint: u → v before e
Show answer
अन्वेषण (anveṣaṇa — search/investigation)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Identify the sandhi
1. स्वागत (svāgata — welcome) uses which sandhi?
Show answer
Yāṇ
2. In Yāṇ sandhi, u/ū changes to:
Show answer
v
3. "Svāgata" (welcome) literally means:
Show answer
Well + arrived
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