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By Arjun

Did you know, Sanskrit is a highly word-order free language ? What does this mean ? It means that you can take a Sanskrit sentence, jumble its words the way you wish and there is good probability that the resulting sentence would still mean the same as the original one. Don’t believe ? Here is an illustration. All the sentences given below mean exactly the same.

वासांसिजीर्णानिविहायनवानिगृह्णातिनरःअपराणि ॥
विहायजीर्णानि वासांसि नवानिगृह्णातिनरःअपराणि ॥
नरः विहायवासांसि

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By Arjun

Given below is a section from mahAbhArata, where Arjun explains to Krishna his logic of not fighting the war. Apart from the literary, philosophical and poetic content, one thing is starkly conspicuous in this. Where are the punctuation marks?? No commas, no quotations, no semi-colons and no exclamation marks !! All we see are the single and double vertical lines viz. । and ॥. If they are punctuation marks, then why are they appearing at such regular intervals ?

अर्जुन उवाच
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः ।…

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By Arjun

We elucidated in the first article of this series that words in Sanskrit represent properties while words in the other languages represent objects. Well, this is not entirely true. Probably, every language has some words that represent properties and some that represent objects. And, Sanskrit is no exception to this. But what separates out Sanskrit is the sheerly enormous ratio of Words representing properties to Words representing objects. Let’s call this ratio X.

X = Words representing properties : Words representing objects then we observe that

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By Arjun

In the last article viz. Similarities between Sanskrit and Programming Languages, we analysed a Sanskrit sentence (again given below for convenience).

मूर्खः परिहर्तव्यः प्रत्यक्षः द्विपदः पशुः । which means.. A stupid person must be avoided. He is like a two-legged animal in-front of the eyes.

Comparing the Sanskrit and the English versions, the difference is conspicuous. Only 5 words in the Sanskrit version but so many in the English version. We also explained in the last article that this enormous shortening has been possible due to the notion…

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By Arjun

In this article, we are going to see how Sanskrit uses programming concepts similar to classes, objects and pointers to shorten the language. To do this, we will try to translate a sample Sanskrit sentence to English and dwell into the nitty-gritties of it. Along the way, you will get introduced to a very innovative sentence structure, totally different from the structure of the language you currently speak.

Given below is our sample sentence. It appears in the text राजनीतिसमुच्चय authored by आचार्य चाणक्य |

मूर्खः…

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Vocative Case / सम्बोधन विभक्ति (sambodhana vibhakti)

By Arjun

Vocative Case or सम्बोधन विभक्ति (sambodhana vibhakti) of noun-form represents the word used to address or call someone or something.

Study the following sentences. These are in vocative case.

O! Boy	हे बाल he baala	Here boy (बाल / baala), creeper (लता / lataa) and God (देव / deva) are in vocative case or सम्बोधन विभक्ति (sambodhana vibhakti)
O! Creeper	हे लते he late
O! God	हे देव he deva

All the above sentences address or call someone. So, the person or thing being addressed is in vocative case.

Note: I (अस्मद् / asmad) and You (युस्मद् / yusmad) words do not have any vocative case.

Vocative Case (सम्बोधन विभक्ति / sambodhana vibhakti)
Word शब्द	Gender लिङ्ग	Singular एकवचन	Dual द्विवचन	Plural बहुवचन	Similar Words
Boy बाल / baala	M – पुं	बाल baala	बालौ baalau	बालाः baalaaH	–
Creeper लता / lataa	F – स्त्री	लते late	लते late	लताः lataaH	–
River नदी / nadii	F – स्त्री	नदी nadii	नद्यो nadyau	नद्यः nadyaH	–
Fruit फलम् / phalam	N – नपुं	फलम् phalam	फले phale	फलानि phalaani	–

Locative Case / सप्तमी विभक्ति (saptamii vibhakti)

By Arjun

Locative Case or सप्तमी विभक्ति (saptamii vibhakti) of noun-form represents the “where” of the sentence. In other words locative case represents the locative in the sentense.

Study the following sentences. These are in locative case.

आङ्ग्लभाषा / English	संस्कृत / Sanskrit	Notes
1. Lotuses are in the lake.	कमलानि कासरे सन्ति kamalaani kaasare santi	The words lake (कासर / kaasara), creeper (लता / lataa), forest (अरण्य / araNya), city (नगरी / nagarii), bed (शज्या / shajyaa), land (भूमि / bhuumi), Mahabharata (महाभारत / mahaabhaarata) and all (सर्व / sarva) are expressing location of something or someone.
2. Flowers bloom in the creeper.	पुष्पाणि लतायां विकसन्ति puShpaaNi lataayaa.n vikasanti
3. Elephants roam in the forest.	गजाः अरण्ये सञ्चरन्ति gajaaH araNye saJNcharanti
4. Offices are in the city.	कार्यालयाः नगरीशु भवन्ति kaaryaalayaaH nagariishu bhavanti
5. Child is sleeping on the bed.	शिशुः शज्यायां शेते shishuH shajyaayaa.n shete
6. Leaves fall on the ground.	पर्णानि भूम्यां पतन्ति parNaani bhuumyaa.n patanti
7. There are many stories in Mahabharata.	महाभारते अनेककथाः विद्यन्ते mahaabhaarate anekakathaaH vidyante
8. Atma is in everybody.	सर्वस्मिन् आत्मा विद्यते sarvasmin aatmaa vidyate

In sentence 1 above, if we ask the question “where are the lotuses?”, the answer that comes is “lake”. So, “lake” is the locative in the sentence and the noun-form is in locative case or saptamii vibhakti. Similarly in sentence 3, if we ask the question “elephants roam where?”, the answer that comes is “forest”.

So, answer that comes from the question “where” is the locative in the sentense and is always in locative case. Followings are the rules where locative case is used.

Grammatical Rule: The word expressing the location of something or someone will be in locative case.

Sentence 1 to 8 follow this rule.

Besides the above rules there are few more special rules where loctive case is used. Followings are the examples of these.

आङ्ग्लभाषा / English	संस्कृत / Sanskrit	Notes
9. He is sitting on the seat.	सः आसन्दे उपविशति saH aasande upavishati	Expressing the thing on which one sits or stands etc.
10. Students are running on the road.	च्छात्राः मार्गेशु धावन्ति chchhaatraaH maargeshu dhaavanti
11. Peackoks are dancing on the mountain.	मयूराः गिरिशु नृत्यन्ति mayuuraaH girishu nRRityanti
12. Young boys are swiming in the river.	तरुणाः नद्यां तरन्ति taruNaaH nadyaa.n taranti
13. Girls are playing in the play ground.	वालिकाः क्रीडाङ्गणे क्रिडन्ति vaalikaaH kriiDaaN^gaNe kriDanti
14. I will go in the evening.	अहं सायंकाले गच्छामि aha.n saaya.nkaale gachchhaami	Expressing the time of action.
15. Holiday is on Sunday.	विरामः भानुवासरे भवति viraamaH bhaanuvaasare bhavati	Expressing the time of action.
16. When sun rises, lotus blooms.	सूर्ये उदिते पद्मं विकसति suurye udite padma.n vikasati	Expressing the action of one resulting in the action of another.
17. When moon rises, lillies bloom.	चन्द्रे उदिते कुमुदानि विकसन्ति chandre udite kumudaani vikasanti
18. Among animals human beings are the best.	प्राणिनां / प्राणिषु नराः श्रेष्ठाः praaNinaa.n / praaNiShu naraaH shreShThaaH	Comparision in group.
19. Do good as if death is holding by hair.	गृहित एव केशेषु मृत्युना धर्ममाचरेत् gRRihita eva kesheShu mRRityunaa dharmamaacharet	Expressing part of body held separately.
20. Friend made me sit by holding my hands.	सखा मां करे धृत्वा उपवेशयत् sakhaa maa.n kare dhRRitvaa upaveshayat	Expressing part of body held separately.
21. Father loves son.	पिता पुत्रे स्निह्यति pitaa putre snihyati	Expressing trust, fondness, love, anger, worship etc., in someone.
22. You trust me.	त्वं मयि विश्वसिहि tva.n mayi vishvasihi
23. Respect father.	पितरि भक्तिं कुरु pitari bhakti.n kuru

Grammatical Rule: The word expressing something on which someone or something sits or stands will be in locative case.

In sentence 9 if we ask the question “where is he seating?” or “on what is he seating?”, the answer that comes is on the seat. So, the word “seat” or आसन्द (aasand) is in locative case as it is expressing the thing on which someone is seating. Sentence 10 to 13 also follow this rule.

Grammatical Rule: The word expressing the time of action in response to the question on verb as “when” will be in locative case.

In sentence 14 answer to the question “when shall I go?” is “in the evening” or “evening”. So, the word “evening” or सायंकाल (saaya.nkaala) is in locative case. Sentence 15 also follows this rule.

Grammatical Rule: When the action of one results in action of another, the thing whose action occurs first will be in locative case.

In sentence 16 – lotus blooms when sun rises. In other words the action of sun’s rising results in the action of the lotus blooming. So, the word “sun” or सूर्य (suurya) is in locative case. Sentence 17 also follow this rule.

Grammatical Rule: If a comparision in a group is being made then the word expressing the group will be in locative case or in genitive case.

In sentence 18 the word “animal” or प्राणि (praaNi) is in locative case (or alternatively genitive case), as it represents the group in which human beings are the best.

Grammatical Rule: If a part of body is held separately then the word expressing the part will be in locative case.

In sentence 20 – my friend is holding my hand (separately) to make me seat. So, the word “hand” or कर (kara) is in locative case as this is the part of body which is being held separately. Sentence 19 also follows this rule.

Grammatical Rule: If verbs meaning trust, fondness, love, anger, worship etc., are used, the person in whom such trust or fondness is shown will be in locative case.

In sentence 21 the verb स्निह्यति (snihyati) is used to express father’s love in his son. So, the word “son” or पुत्र (putra) is in locative case. Sentence 22 and 23 also follow this rule.

Locative Case (सप्तमी विभक्ति / saptamii vibhakti)
Word शब्द	Gender लिङ्ग	Singular एकवचन	Dual द्विवचन	Plural बहुवचन	Similar Words
Boy बाल / baala	M – पुं	बाले baale	बालयोः baalayoH	बालेषु baaleShu	–
Creeper लता / lataa	F – स्त्री	लतायाम् lataayaam	लतयोः latayoH	लतासु lataasu	–
River नदी / nadii	F – स्त्री	नद्याम् nadyaam	नद्योः nadyoH	नदीषु nadiiShu	–
Fruit फलम् / phalam	N – नपुं	फले phale	फलयोः phalayoH	फलेषु phaleShu	–

Genitive Case / षष्ठी विभक्ति (ShaShThii vibhakti)

By Arjun

Genitive Case or षष्ठी विभक्ति (ShaShThii vibhakti) of noun-form represents the “whose” of the sentence. In other words genitive case represents the genitive in the sentense.

Study the following sentences. These are in genitive case.

आङ्ग्लभाषा / English	संस्कृत / Sanskrit	Notes
1. Son of Dasaratha.	दशरथस्य पुत्रः dasharathasya putraH	Peron or thing whose relationship with another is being expressed.
2. Krishna’s friend.	कृष्णस्य सखा kRRiShNasya sakhaa
3. Rise of sun.	सूर्यस्य उदयः suuryasya udayaH
4. Water of river.	नद्याः जलम् nadyaaH jalam
5. Whiteness of moon.	चन्द्रिकाया धवलता chandrikaayaa dhavalataa
6. Heat of fire.	अग्नेः ज्वाला agneH jvaalaa
7. Vrihaspati is the teacher of Gods.	देवानां गुरुः बृहस्पतिः devaanaa.n guruH bRRihaspatiH
8. Demons are the desciples of Sukracharya.	शुक्राचार्यस्य शिष्याः असुराः shukraachaaryasya shiShyaaH asuraaH
9. Women’s jewellary.	नारीणाम् आभरणम् naariiNaam aabharaNam
10. This is my opinion.	एतत् मम मतम् etat mama matam
11. Ganapati has four hands.	गणपतेः चत्वारः हस्ताः gaNapateH chatvaaraH hastaaH

In sentence 1 above, if we ask the question “whose son?”, the answer that comes is “Dasaratha”. So, “Dasaratha” is the genitive in the sentence and the noun-form is in genitive case or ShaShThi vibhakti. Similarly in sentence 4, if we ask the question “whose water?”, the answer that comes is “river”.

So, answer that comes from the question “whose” is the genitive in the sentense and is always in genitive case.Followings are the rules where genitive case is used.

Grammatical Rule: The word denoting a peron or thing whose relationship with another is being expressed will be in genitive case.

In sentence 1 to 11 the words expressing relationship to someone or something are in genitive case.

Besides the above rules there are few more special rules where genitive case is used. Followings are the examples of these.

आङ्ग्लभाषा / English	संस्कृत / Sanskrit	Notes
12. Among Pandavas Dharmaraja (Yudhisthira) is best.	पाण्डवानां धर्मराजः ज्येष्ठः paaNDavaanaa.n dharmaraajaH jyeShThaH	Comparision in group.
13. Among trees coconut is the best.	वृक्षाणां नालिकेरः श्रेष्ठः vRRikshaaNaa.n naarikeraH shreShThaH	Comparision in group.
14. There is no comparision of Arjuna.	अर्जुनस्य तुला नास्ति arjunasya tulaa naasti	Use of words तुला (tulaa), उपमा (upamaa) etc., for comparision.
15. Beauty of Rama.	रामस्य उपमा raamasya upamaa
16. To the south of the school huge banayan tree is there.	विद्यालयस्य दक्षिणात् एकः महान् वटवृक्षः vidyaalayasya dakshiNaat ekaH mahaan vaTavRRikshaH	Expressins direction or location in relation to another using words पुरः (puraH), पुरस्तात् (purastaat), पुरतः (purataH), अग्रतः (agrataH), पृष्ठतः (pRRiShThataH), अधः (adhaH), अधस्तात् (adhastaat) etc.
17. In front of the teacher students are standing.	शिक्षकस्य पुरः च्छात्राः तिष्ठन्ति shikshakasya puraH chchhaatraaH tiShThanti
18. Child is playing behind mother.	मातुः पुरस्तात् शिशुः क्रीडति maatuH purastaat shishuH kriiiDati
19. Water flows below ground.	भूमेः अधस्तात्/अधः जलं बर्त्तते bhuumeH adhastaat/adhaH jala.n barttate
20.To the north of the village hospital is there.	ग्रामस्य उत्तरात् चिकित्सालयः अस्ति graamasya uttaraat chikitsaalayaH asti

Grammatical Rule: If a comparision in a group is being made then the word expressing the group will be in genitive case (or alternatively in locative case).

In sentence 13 above the sentence means – coconut tree is best “among the trees”. So, the word trees is in genetive case (or alternatively locative case) as it represents the group in which coconut tree is best. Similarly in sentence 12 the word “pandavas” is in genetive case.

Grammatical Rule: If words तुला (tulaa), उपमा (upamaa) etc., expressing comparision are used then word expressing the person or thing being compared will be in genitive case.

In sentence 14 the word “Arjuna” is in genitive case as this is being compared with the use of word तुला or tulaa. Sentence 15 also follows the same rule.

Grammatical Rule: If the words पुरः (puraH), पुरस्तात् (purastaat), पुरतः (purataH), अग्रतः (agrataH), पृष्ठतः (pRRiShThataH), अधः (adhaH), अधस्तात् (adhastaat) etc., are used to express direction or location of an object in relation to another, the word expressing the object will be in genitive case.

In sentence 16 the word south or दक्षिणात् (dakshiNaat) is used to express location of the banayan tree in relation to the school. So, the word school is in genitive case. Similarly in sentence 18 the word behind or पुरस्तात् (purastaat) expresses the location of the child in relation to mother. So, the word mother is in genitive case. Sentences 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 follow this rule.

Genitive Case (षष्ठी विभक्ति / ShaShThii vibhakti)
Word शब्द	Gender लिङ्ग	Singular एकवचन	Dual द्विवचन	Plural बहुवचन	Similar Words
Boy बाल / baala	M – पुं	बालस्य baalasya	बालयोः baalayoH	बालानाम् baalaanaam	–
Creeper लता / lataa	F – स्त्री	लतायाः lataayaaH	लतयोः latayoH	लतानाम् lataanaam	–
River नदी / nadii	F – स्त्री	नद्याः nadyaaH	नदीभ्याम् nadiibhyaam	नदीनाम् nadiinaam	–
Fruit फलम् / phalam	N – नपुं	फलस्य phalasya	फलयोः phalayoH	फलानाम् phalaanaam	–

Ablative Case / पञ्चमी विभक्ति (paJNchamii vibhakti)