Week 32: बहुव्रीहि and Long Compounds
This week is designed as a 60-minute self-study lesson. Read aloud first, then translate.
Aim of the Week
Break and translate Bahuvrīhi and long compounds using a practical method: divide, identify relation, translate literally, then smooth.
Core Pattern
A compound compresses two or more ideas into one word. Do not guess from the whole word too quickly; split it.
Translation Practice
- पीताम्बरः कृष्णः अस्ति।
pītāmbaraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ asti. - महात्मा जनः करुणया पश्यति।
mahātmā janaḥ karuṇayā paśyati. - बहुबुद्धिः विद्यार्थी पठति।
bahubuddhiḥ vidyārthī paṭhati. - दीर्घबाहुः रामः गच्छति।
dīrghabāhuḥ rāmaḥ gacchati.
Answer key
- Kṛṣṇa is yellow-robed.
- The great-souled person sees with compassion.
- The intelligent student reads.
- Long-armed Rāma goes.
Recitation Guidance
Recite compounds as one word, but translate them as a relationship between words.
Vocabulary
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पीताम्बरः | pītāmbaraḥ | one with yellow garment |
| महात्मा | mahātmā | one with a great self |
| बहुबुद्धिः | bahubuddhiḥ | one with much intelligence |
| दीर्घबाहुः | dīrghabāhuḥ | long-armed |
| करुणया | karuṇayā | with compassion |
Self-Check
- Can you split the compound?
- Can you say whether it means “of,” “descriptive,” “and,” or “one who has”?