Part:2 Exploring the Mystique of the Sanskrit Varnamala: A Journey through Panini Vyakaran

 Let's delve into more details about the Sanskrit Varnamala, including the classification of Swaras (vowels) and Vyanjanas (consonants), and provide you with the Sanskrit alphabet along with transliterations.

Sanskrit Swaras (Vowels):

अ (a) - The most basic vowel sound, often referred to as the "neutral" vowel.

आ (ā) - A longer and more pronounced 'a' sound.

इ (i) - Similar to the English 'i' in "bit."

ई (ī) - A longer 'i' sound, as in "beet."

उ (u) - Similar to the English 'u' in "put."

ऊ (ū) - A longer 'u' sound, as in "pool."

ऋ (ṛ) - A unique Sanskrit vowel sound, somewhat like the 'ri' in "sari."

ॠ (ṝ) - A longer version of 'ṛ.'

ए (e) - Similar to the English 'e' in "let."

ऐ (ai) - A diphthong pronounced like 'ai' in "aisle."

ओ (o) - Similar to the English 'o' in "go."

औ (au) - A diphthong pronounced like 'au' in "aught."

अं (ṁ) - The nasalized 'm' sound, as in the sound that concludes the syllable 'Om' in Hinduism.

Sanskrit Vyanjanas (Consonants):

Sanskrit consonants are classified based on their place and manner of articulation.

Place of Articulation:

क (ka) - Velar sound, pronounced by obstructing airflow at the soft part of the roof of the mouth (velum).

ख (kha) - Aspirated version of 'ka.'

ग (ga) - Voiced velar sound.

घ (gha) - Aspirated version of 'ga.'

ङ (ṅa) - Nasal sound formed at the back of the throat.

Manner of Articulation:

च (cha) - Palatal sound, pronounced with the front part of the tongue against the hard palate.

छ (chaḥ) - Aspirated version of 'cha.'

ज (ja) - Voiced palatal sound.

झ (jha) - Aspirated version of 'ja.'

ञ (ña) - Nasal sound formed in the middle of the mouth.

Place and Manner of Articulation:

ट (ṭa) - Retroflex sound, pronounced with the tongue curled back.

ठ (ṭha) - Aspirated version of 'ṭa.'

ड (ḍa) - Voiced retroflex sound.

ढ (ḍha) - Aspirated version of 'ḍa.'

ण (ṇa) - Nasal sound formed at the front of the mouth.

Place and Manner of Articulation (Continued):

त (ta) - Dental sound, pronounced with the tongue against the upper front teeth.

थ (tha) - Aspirated version of 'ta.'

द (da) - Voiced dental sound.

ध (dha) - Aspirated version of 'da.'

न (na) - Nasal sound formed at the front of the mouth.

Place of Articulation (Continued):

प (pa) - Bilabial sound, pronounced with both lips.

फ (pha) - Aspirated version of 'pa.'

ब (ba) - Voiced bilabial sound.

भ (bha) - Aspirated version of 'ba.'

म (ma) - Nasal sound formed with the lips.

This classification and detailed description of Swaras and Vyanjanas provided by Panini Vyakaran form the foundation of Sanskrit phonetics and grammar. These 51 Aksharas, when combined and transformed according to Panini's rules, create the intricate and melodious language of Sanskrit.