Thread by @Sampadananda

Namaste. Welcome to the 6th session of learning Sanskrit through twitter chats. In this session we will be learning the distinctive features of each of the sounds of the first or the guttural group (the kaṇṭhya-varga). 6/1 #LearnSamskritam

The sounds ka, kha, ga, gha and ṅa belong to the guttural group and are produced from the same place by bringing the root of the tongue in contact with the soft palate. Even though these five sounds are produced from the one position each sound is different from the other. 6/2

The first sound of the group ka is a hard (kaṭhora) and is unvoiced or of minimal vocal resonance (aghoṣa). Also this is articulated with minimal breath release and is thus known as alpaprāṇa or unaspirated. 6/3

The 2nd sound kha is also hard and unvoiced but it’s produced with maximal breath release and is known as mahāprāṇa or aspirated. The 3rd sound ga is soft (mṛdu), voiced or with maximal vocal resonance (ghoṣa) and is produced with minimal breath release (alpaprāṇa). 6/4

The 4th sound gha is also soft and voiced but is a mahāprāṇa. And the last sound of the ka group ङ ṅa is soft and voiced but is produced by releasing the breath both trough mouth and nose together. So it’s anunāsika or oro-nasal sound. 6/5

Please note that the same arrangement is followed in the next four groups. First two sounds of each group are hard and unvoiced and the next three sounds are soft and voiced. 1.alpaprāṇa 2.mahāprāṇa 3.alpaprāṇa 4.mahāprāṇa 5.anunāsika 6/6

So, from the breathing point of view the arrangement of the plosives (from ka to ma) follows having one alpaprāṇa and then one mahāprāṇa. Further, each group ends with an oro-nasal sound in which one experiences the simultaneous release of breath through mouth and nostrils. 6/7

Therefore, by reciting the plosives of Sanskrit varṇamālā consciously one can really experience the play of minimum breath and maximum breath, contraction and expansion, concentration and meditation, and feel that as if the varṇamālā is breathing. 6/8

Also, one can consciously articulate any sound with minimal breath and experience the intensity of ekāgratā or a focused or one-pointed concentration. And with a sound produced by the release of maximum breath, there is a sense of vyāpakatā or expansion. 6/9

This shows, Sanskrit varṇamālā has an inbuilt system of Pranayama or regulated breathing and dhyāna or meditation. One can get the benefits of Pranayama and dhyāna by reciting the sounds of Sanskrit as they appear in its varṇamālā. 6/10

Here ends the 6th session. पुनर्दर्शनाय