Samasa (Compound Formation) MCQs Quiz | Class 10
This quiz is designed for Class X Sanskrit (Subject Code: 122) students, focusing on Unit: Section C: Applied Grammar. The topic covered is Samasa (Compound Formation), including Vigraha of samasta-pada and formation, and types like Tatpurusha (vibhakti-based), Bahuvrihi, Avyayibhava (anu, upa, saha, nir, prati, yathā), and Dvandva (itaretara only). Attempt all questions and then click “Submit Quiz” to view your results and download a detailed answer PDF.
Understanding Samasa (Compound Formation)
Samasa (समास) in Sanskrit grammar refers to the process of compounding two or more words to form a single meaningful word. This process helps in condensing expression and creating new words with specific meanings. The resulting single word is called a samasta-pada (समस्तपद) or compound word. The analysis of a samasta-pada into its constituent words and their grammatical relation is called vigraha (विग्रह).
1. Vigraha of Samasta-Pada and Formation
The formation of a samasta-pada involves combining words, often dropping their case endings (vibhakti pratyayas), and forming a new single word. The vigraha, on the other hand, is the dissolution of the compound word back into its original parts, showing the grammatical relationship between them, usually in a sentence-like form.
- Formation: `राजन्` (राजा) + `पुरुष` (पुरुषः) → `राजपुरुषः` (king’s man)
- Vigraha: `राजपुरुषः` → `राज्ञः पुरुषः` (a man of the king)
2. Types of Samasa
According to the CBSE Class 10 curriculum, we will focus on Tatpurusha, Bahuvrihi, Avyayibhava, and Dvandva (Itaretara only) samasas.
A. Tatpurusha Samasa (तत्पुरुष समास)
In Tatpurusha Samasa, the second word (उत्तरपद) is predominant in meaning. This type of compound is often formed by combining a noun in a particular case (vibhakti) with another noun. The vibhakti of the first word (पूर्वपद) is generally dropped in the compound, but its meaning is retained in the vigraha. Tatpurusha samasas are typically named after the case ending of the first word in the vigraha, from Dvitiya (2nd) to Saptami (7th) vibhakti.
- Dvitīya Tatpurusha (द्वितीया तत्पुरुष):
- Samasta-pada: `ग्रामगतः`
- Vigraha: `ग्रामं गतः` (one who has gone to the village)
- Tṛtīyā Tatpurusha (तृतीया तत्पुरुष):
- Samasta-pada: `नखभिन्नः`
- Vigraha: `नखैः भिन्नः` (torn by nails)
- Caturthī Tatpurusha (चतुर्थी तत्पुरुष):
- Samasta-pada: `यज्ञदारु`
- Vigraha: `यज्ञाय दारु` (wood for sacrifice)
- Pañcamī Tatpurusha (पञ्चमी तत्पुरुष):
- Samasta-pada: `चौरभयम्`
- Vigraha: `चौरात् भयम्` (fear from a thief)
- Ṣaṣṭhī Tatpurusha (षष्ठी तत्पुरुष):
- Samasta-pada: `राजपुरुषः`
- Vigraha: `राज्ञः पुरुषः` (man of the king)
- Saptamī Tatpurusha (सप्तमी तत्पुरुष):
- Samasta-pada: `कार्यकुशलः`
- Vigraha: `कार्ये कुशलः` (skilled in work)
B. Bahuvrihi Samasa (बहुव्रीहि समास)
In Bahuvrihi Samasa, neither of the component words is predominant. Instead, the compound word refers to an entirely different entity or person which is indicated by the compound. It typically functions as an adjective.
- Samasta-pada: `पीताम्बरः`
- Vigraha: `पीतम् अम्बरं यस्य सः` (one whose garment is yellow – referring to Vishnu/Krishna)
- Samasta-pada: `दशाननः`
- Vigraha: `दश आननानि यस्य सः` (one who has ten faces – referring to Ravana)
C. Avyayibhava Samasa (अव्ययीभाव समास)
In Avyayibhava Samasa, the first word (पूर्वपद) is typically an indeclinable (avyaya) and is predominant. The entire compound acts as an indeclinable (avyaya), usually in the neuter singular. We cover specific prefixes as per the syllabus:
- `अनु` (anu – behind, after, suitability):
- Samasta-pada: `अनुरथम्`
- Vigraha: `रथस्य पश्चात्` (behind the chariot)
- Samasta-pada: `अनुरूपम्`
- Vigraha: `रूपस्य योग्यम्` (suitable to the form)
- `उप` (upa – near, proximity):
- Samasta-pada: `उपकृष्णम्`
- Vigraha: `कृष्णस्य समीपम्` (near Krishna)
- `सह` (saha – with, together with):
- Samasta-pada: `सपुत्रम्`
- Vigraha: `पुत्रेण सहितम्` (with son)
- `निर्` (nir – without, absence):
- Samasta-pada: `निर्जनम्`
- Vigraha: `जनानाम् अभावः` (absence of people)
- `प्रति` (prati – each, every, repeatedly):
- Samasta-pada: `प्रतिदिनम्`
- Vigraha: `दिनं दिनम्` (day by day, every day)
- `यथा` (yathā – according to, as per capacity):
- Samasta-pada: `यथाशक्ति`
- Vigraha: `शक्तिम् अनतिक्रम्य` (without transgressing power, according to capacity)
D. Dvandva Samasa (द्वन्द्व समास) – Itaretara only
In Dvandva Samasa, both words are equally important. It means “and” in the vigraha. The curriculum focuses on Itaretara Dvandva, where the compound refers to multiple entities. The compound usually takes dual or plural forms depending on the number of entities combined.
- Samasta-pada: `रामलक्ष्मणौ`
- Vigraha: `रामः च लक्ष्मणः च` (Rama and Lakshmana)
- Samasta-pada: `हरिहरौ`
- Vigraha: `हरिः च हरः च` (Hari and Hara)
- Samasta-pada: `पुत्रदुहितरौ`
- Vigraha: `पुत्रः च दुहिता च` (Son and Daughter)
Quick Revision Summary
| Samasa Type | Predominance | Key Characteristic | Example (Samasta-pada) | Vigraha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatpurusha | Second word | Relates two nouns with case endings | राजपुरुषः | राज्ञः पुरुषः |
| Bahuvrihi | Third word (external) | Describes another entity; adjectival | पीताम्बरः | पीतम् अम्बरं यस्य सः |
| Avyayibhava | First word (avyaya) | First word is indeclinable; whole compound is avyaya | यथाशक्ति | शक्तिम् अनतिक्रम्य |
| Dvandva (Itaretara) | Both words | Connects words with “and”; refers to multiple entities | रामलक्ष्मणौ | रामः च लक्ष्मणः च |
Practice Questions
- गंगाजलम् – विग्रहं कृत्वा समासस्य नाम लिखत।
Answer: गङ्गायाः जलम् (षष्ठी तत्पुरुष)
- निर्मक्षिकम् – विग्रहं कृत्वा समासस्य नाम लिखत।
Answer: मक्षिकाणाम् अभावः (अव्ययीभाव)
- चन्द्रशेखरः – विग्रहं कृत्वा समासस्य नाम लिखत।
Answer: चन्द्रः शेखरे यस्य सः (बहुव्रीहि)
- सीतारामौ – विग्रहं कृत्वा समासस्य नाम लिखत।
Answer: सीता च रामः च (इतरेतर द्वन्द्व)
- विष्णुप्रियः – विग्रहं कृत्वा समासस्य नाम लिखत।
Answer: विष्णोः प्रियः (षष्ठी तत्पुरुष)
