Page:Sanskrit Grammar by Whitney p1.djvu/35

 either side by side, or one above the other; in a few combinations either arrangement is allowed. The consonant that is to be pronounced first is set before the other in the one order, and above it in the other order.

Examples of side-by-side arrangement are: ग्ग, ज्ज , प्य , न्म , त्थ , भ्य , स्क , ष्ण , त्क.

Examples of the above-and-below arrangement are: क्क, क्व , च्च , ञ्ज , द्द , प्त , त्न , त्व.

In some cases, however, there is more or less abbreviation or disguise of the independent form of a consonant-sign in combination. Thus,

Of क in क्त, क्ल ; and in क्ण  etc.;

Of त in त्त ;

Of द in द्ग, द्न , etc.;

Of म and य, when following other consonants: thus, क्य , क्म , ङ्म , ङ्य , द्म , द्य , ह्म , ह्य , छ्य , ढ्य.

Of श, which generally becomes when followed by a consonant: thus, श्च , श्न , श्व ,. The same change is usual when a vowel-sign is added below: thus,,.

Other combinations, of not quite obvious value, are ण्ण, ल्ल , द्ध , द्भ , ष्ट , ष्ठ ; and the compounds of ह : as ह्ण , ह्न.

In a case or two, no trace of the constituent letters in recognizable: thus, क्ष, ज्ञ.

The semivowel र, in making combinations with other consonants, is treated in a wholly peculiar manner, analogous with that in which the vowels are treated.

If pronounced before another consonant or combination of consonants, it is written above the latter, with a