1.

[The Vedas are the authentic and authoritative books of ancient Indian society and
religion. There are 4 Vedas Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. The
verses of the Vedas are called Mantras. In the Veda Mantras, there is sometimes
incantation (hymns of praise) and sometimes prayer. Sometimes there is a description
of somebody and sometimes deep philosophical ideas. In the present lesson, only three
Mantras of incantation, prayer and worship have been included.
Inspired by the Vedas etc. many hymns and prayers have been composed in different
meters which have been preserved in human-mind and reached us. Presented here are
three such hymns of praise.
We have the tradition of having an invocation at the beginning of the book. With
that in mind, let us begin our learning of Sanskrit with an invocation.]

U S U
H -H

U UU S
|

UU U H 1H
- 111
|

Uc U U
|

U H 2H
- 15
|

UU
|

SU U H 3H
- 1641

r L-L-L S S
U--
S
S UU S H 4H


U
U U U U H 5H
SU
M
U
U H 6H
Glossary
Noun (masc.) U Purohita, Familypriest, one who does rituals of a host Yagna,
sacrificial rite U one who wears gems Lord of Vows who brings tranquility

from whom happiness is derived UU one, who does welfare SU one who gives
happiness U extremely beneficial S prayer, song of praise M witness U
without support, self-dependent.
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Pronoun that whom S whose S for him/to him you one U

of others we to you.
Adjective divine, dangerous, dreadful one who purifies one who
governs/controls U best, excellent treasure
Adverb Salutation ! I bow down
Compound L-L-L (L L L L....L, - UU

mm) UU (U U UU, - mm UU UU - cU
L ) (Dissolution (U) of compounds mentioned in the exercise of the textbook, has been
given only to help in teaching.)
Root (First Gana) (Parasmaipada) U (U) to practise () to sing

- () to see S (SU) to remember () to worship ()

to bow down, to salute () to go, to attain.
Notes

(1) Meaning U (U) I pray officiating priest at a sacrifice UU to one

who performs sacrificial rite (Havana) I can U make it accomplished
U I approach, I attain S they pray U-- six Vedangas, prose in order
along with Upanishads they sing reciter of Mantras of Samaveda
S having attained state of meditation by the mind they know, they
attain U of those holding the highest position one who controls U of the
best M epitom of the world only one of its kind the boat which
takes one accross the world like ocean U one worthy to take refuge.
(2) Sandhi U (U) ( U) U ( )
( ) U ( U ) ( ) (
) ( )
[Vedic language is spoken and written by using accent (SU). There are three kinds of
accents. U, and SU. While reciting Vedic Mantra U SU is recited in high pitch,

SU in low pitch and SU SU in medium pitch of tune. While writing the Mantras of
Rigveda and Yujurveda, in order to show SU sleeping (horizontal) line (--) is drawn under
|
the particular letter. Similarly to show SU SU standing (vertical) line ( ) is drawn on the
particular letter. No sign is used to show U SU.]
Exercise
1.

oA UU
(1) UU U ?
(2) S S ?
(3) U Uc ?
(4) S S ?
(5) U ?

2.

DU U Z L

3.

(1) U .......... U U

(, , UU)

(2) U .......... U

(, , )

(3) ..........

(, , )

(4) UU S ..........

(SM, , )

(5) M ..........

(, , SU)

DU oASM U

4.

(1)

(S)

(2) U--

()

(3)

()

oA UU
(1) Which special qualities of Agnideva have been described in the Mantra ?
(2) Which Vow has been taken from Agni ?
(3) Whose Darshana do the Yogis have ? How ?
(4) How is the divine quality of the one, in whom the devotees take refuge ?

5.

fZ L
(1) U ...... U H
(2) ..... U H
(3) SU ..... H
- - U U

(1)
(1)
(2) UU
(2)
(3)
(3)
(4)
(4)
(5) S
(5)
(6)
(6)
(7) r

6.

Activity

Learn by heart these Richas of Veda and Shlokas of prayer.

Transcribe other Richas and Shlokas and exhibit them in the classroom.

Recite Mantras and Shlokas in the prayerhall of your school.

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