Week 24: Sandhi in Famous Verses

This week is designed as a 60-minute self-study lesson. Read aloud first, then translate.

Aim of the Week

Use Sandhi in famous verses as a practical reading tool. The goal is not to memorise every rule, but to split common joined forms.

Core Pattern

When a word looks unfamiliar, ask whether two words have been joined. Sandhi often hides word boundaries.

Split and Translate

  1. कर्मणि एव → कर्मण्येव
    karmaṇi eva → karmaṇy eva
  2. ते अस्तु → तेऽस्तु
    te astu → te ’stu
  3. यदा यदा हि
    yadā yadā hi
  4. आत्मना आत्मानम् → आत्मनात्मानम्
    ātmanā ātmānam → ātmanātmānam
Answer key
  1. in action alone
  2. may it be yours
  3. whenever indeed
  4. the self by the self

Recitation Guidance

When reciting sandhi forms, pronounce the joined form smoothly. When translating, mentally split the words first.

Vocabulary

DevanāgarīIASTMeaning
कर्मणिkarmaṇiin action
एवevaonly, indeed
यदाyadāwhen
आत्मनाātmanāby the self
आत्मानम्ātmānamthe self as object

Self-Check