Pronunciation Guide 
 

Srî Gurubyô Namaha

This is an attempt to make the Vedas reachable to those who are not familiar with
the Sanskrit script. Here you will learn how to chant Vedic hymns the right way.
Though the English Vedic Script provided to the learner and the teaching method
would be unique, the chief purpose of this method ensures that not even a syllable
of a mantra or the intonation is altered to the slightest extent.

The recital of Vedas yield maximum benefit only when it is marked by:
 The correct pronunciation of each syllable (Akshara Shuddhi)
 The right duration of chanting each syllable (Mâtra Shuddhi)
 The proper intonation for each syllable (Swara Shuddhi)

PRONUNCIATION
Here you will learn how to pronounce each syllable (Vedic words as per Sanskrit
Devanâgiri Text) the right way. The variation of English alphabets used to
correspond to that of Sanskrit is given below:
a (as in up)          â (as in father)  
i (as in fill)          î  (as in feel) 
u (as in full)          û  (as in cool) 
R’ (as in true)        ai (as in I) 
o (as in go)          ô  (as in oral)  

ka (as in Come)        pa  (as in pin)
kha (as in khaki, luck)      pha (as in fun)  
ga (as in good)        ba  (as in big)
gha (as in aghast)        bha (as in abhor) 

 
 ta  (as in path)        ta  (as in true) 
tha (as in thud)         tha (as in putting)  
da  (as in then)        da  (as in drum)
dha (emphasize on da)    dha (as in ladder) 
              Note: ‘t’ and ‘d’ in the above column are in italics 

S’a (as in shop)  Sha (as in wish) Sa (as in sing)    

INTONATION

Render the Vedas with care else their meaning would get distorted. The beauty
and efficacy of chanting Vedas lie in giving the right intonation (the proper pitch)
for each syllable. For the convenience of learners, the English script is written
separating each Sanskrit line into three lines as per the intonation. Also, take note
that each word begins with a ‘capital’ letter. So now let’s learn more about these
intonations. Basically there are four kinds of intonations.
First, SWARITA (high-pitched intonation) written on the top line in the script.
pa
Find the “pa” written on the top line  na tig’m Havâmahê  and notice the
Ga
difference in the pitch.

Second, ANUDATTA (low-pitched intonation) written on the bottom line in the

pa
script. Find the “Ga” and “Ka” written on the bottom line in  na tig’m 
Ga

Havâmahê  vim Notice the difference in the pitch and hear how the pitch is
Ka
lowered.

 
Third, DEERGA SWARITA (double accented intonation), that usually comes
together (on the middle-line followed by the same syllable on the top-line).

â ô â
nânâ m Tvâ Tannô Brahmah Tamîs’â m
Ga na
Listen to the two distinct levels of pitch accommodated by a longer duration in the
above examples.

Fourth, UDATTA, which does not have any of the above intonations attached to
the syllable and they are represented in the ‘middle’ line of the script. For example,
look and listen to the word “S’ân” in

ti
Ôm S’ân h S’ân h S’ân hi || 
ti ti

We pray that the purpose will be fulfilled and this method of learning will succeed
in encouraging every aspirant to the Vedic Mantras with more enthusiasm,
convenience and confidence.
 

Anugraha – The Divine Grace [Veda eLearning]    Editors: Ranga & Ranga 

For learning to chant the Vedic Hymns, write to eClassVeda@gmail.com