NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit Vyakaranavithi: Chapter 9 — समास परिचय
This chapter, 'Samas Parichay' (Introduction to Samas) from NCERT's Class 10 Sanskrit Vyakaranavithi, explains the concept of 'Samas' as condensation or abbreviation. It details how two or more words, along with their inflections and conjunctions like 'cha', are combined into a single word. Examples like 'gayanakushala' (from 'gayanekushalah') and 'rajapurushah' (from 'rajnah purushah') illustrate the process of inflectional loss. The chapter also introduces 'Aluk Samas' where inflections are not dropped. Based on the prominence of words, Samas is primarily divided into four types: Avyayibhav, Tatpurush, Dvandva, and Bahuvrihi. Tatpurush further has two sub-types: Karmadharaya and Dvigu. Thus, there are generally six types of Samas. The chapter begins by detailing the Avyayibhav Samas, where the first word is an indeclinable and prominent, making the entire compound word indeclinable and neuter. It then introduces Tatpurush Samas, characterized by the prominence of the latter word and varying inflections between the two words, often involving the loss of the former word's inflection.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Vyakaranavithi |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 — समास परिचय |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 207 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of Samas as word condensation.
- Identify the process of forming compound words by omitting inflections and conjunctions.
- Differentiate between various types of Samas based on word prominence.
- Recognize Avyayibhav and Tatpurush Samas with their characteristics and examples.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| समसनम् | condensation, abbreviation |
| अव्यय | indeclinable, adverb |
| प्रधान | prominent, chief |
| नपुंसकलिङ्ग | neuter gender |
| विभक्ति | inflection, case ending |
| अलुक् समास | a type of Samas where inflections are not dropped |
| उत्तर पदद | latter word (in a compound) |
| पूर्वपदद | former word (in a compound) |
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Practice questions
- What is the meaning of 'Samas'? Answer: 'Samas' means condensation or abbreviation.
- What are the main four types of Samas based on word prominence? Answer: The main four types are Avyayibhav, Tatpurush, Dvandva, and Bahuvrihi.
- What is a key characteristic of Avyayibhav Samas? Answer: In Avyayibhav Samas, the first word is indeclinable and prominent, making the entire compound word indeclinable and neuter.
- What is the primary characteristic of Tatpurush Samas? Answer: In Tatpurush Samas, the latter word is usually prominent, and there are different inflections between the two words.
Frequently asked questions
What is 'Samas' in Sanskrit grammar?
'Samas' refers to the process of condensation or abbreviation, where two or more words are combined into a single word, often by omitting inflections.
How many main types of Samas are there?
Based on word prominence, there are primarily four main types: Avyayibhav, Tatpurush, Dvandva, and Bahuvrihi.
What defines Avyayibhav Samas?
In Avyayibhav Samas, the first part is an indeclinable word (avyaya) and is also the prominent part. The entire compound word becomes indeclinable and is used in the neuter gender.
What is the characteristic of Tatpurush Samas?
Tatpurush Samas typically has the second word as the prominent one. The two words in the compound usually have different case endings, and the inflection of the first word is often dropped.
What is 'Aluk Samas'?
Aluk Samas is a type of Samas where the inflectional endings of the words are not dropped during the formation of the compound word.
What does 'Vyakaranavithi' mean?
'Vyakaranavithi' translates to 'Path of Grammar' or 'Grammar Course'.
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NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit — Vyakaranavithi — Chapter 9 — समास परिचय. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.