Sanskrit Lesson
Vibhakti Overview
A structured guide to all case-forms, meaning, kAraka, Hindi cues, and usage examples for mastery.
Vibhakti – Cases in Sanskrit
From case endings to clear meaning
In Sanskrit, a noun or pronoun changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. These forms are called vibhaktis (cases). Each vibhakti is tied to a kAraka that explains its function in the action: who does, who receives, with what, for whom, from where, or where the action happens.
We speak of seven main cases and one special vocative form. Together with their kArakas, they give Sanskrit sentences remarkable clarity and precision.
प्रथमा – कर्ता
Used for the subject of the sentence – the doer of the action (kartA).
द्वितीया – कर्म
Used for the object that receives or undergoes the action (karma).
तृतीया – करणम्
Shows the instrument, means, or helper by which the action is done (karaNam).
चतुर्थी – सम्प्रदानम्
Marks the recipient or beneficiary – the one for whom or to whom something is done (sampradAnam).
पञ्चमी – अपादानम्
Indicates the source or point of separation – from where movement or removal takes place (apAdAnam).
षष्ठी – सम्बन्धः
Shows relation, ownership, or belonging (sambandha). Often translated with “of” in English.
सप्तमी – अधिकरणम्
Used for the locus or place where the action happens (adhikaraNam).
सम्बोधनम् – संबोधन
Used when directly addressing or calling someone. It is traditionally linked to prathamA, but is treated separately as sambodhanam.
From “just endings” to meaning
Instead of memorising endings blindly, connect each vibhakti with its kAraka, Hindi cue, and a guiding question.
स्मरण सूत्रम्
कर्ता ने — कर्म को — करण से — सम्प्रदान के लिए — अपादान से — संबंध के — अधिकरण में — सम्बोधनम् — हे ।
karta ne — karma ko — karaNa se — sampradana ke lie — apadana se — sambandh ke — adhikaraNa meM — sambodhanam — he.
How to use this while learning
- Read each vibhakti card and match it with a real sentence you already know.
- Chant the स्मरण-सूत्रम् slowly and point to the matching vibhakti in your tables.
- When you see a noun form, ask the guiding question: “Is it telling me who, whom, by what, for whom, from where, whose, or where?”
Canonical pratyayas (Suffixes) — compact table
These are the canonical pratyayas, or surface suffixes. Real word forms change due to sandhi and PANinian sUtras, but this table serves as the canonical anchor from which actual declensions are derived.
Canonical vibhakti suffixes for quick reference
प्रथमा — Nominative (Subject / कर्ता)
प्रथमा (Nominative) answers the question “who?” or “what?” — it marks the doer (कर्ता) of the action.
- कविः लिखति — कविः is प्रथमा
अर्थ: कवि ने लिखा।
- फलं पतति — फलं is प्रथमा
अर्थ: फल गिरता है।
द्वितीया — Accusative (Object / कर्म)
द्वितीया marks the object or destination — answers “whom / what”.
- रामः वनं गच्छति — वनम् is द्वितीया
अर्थ: राम वन को जाता है।
- बाला पुस्तकं पठति — पुस्तकम् is द्वितीया
अर्थ: बालिका पुस्तक को पढ़ती है।
तृतीया — Instrumental (with / by)
तृतीया marks the instrument or companion — answers “with / by”.
- सः शरेण हन्ति — शरेण is तृतीया
अर्थ: वह तीर से मारता है।
- रामः सीतया सह गच्छति — सीतया is तृतीया
अर्थ: राम सीता के साथ जाता है।
चतुर्थी — Dative (to / for)
चतुर्थी marks the recipient or beneficiary — “for whom”.
- वैद्यः रुग्णाय औषधं यच्छति — रुग्णाय is चतुर्थी
अर्थ: वैद्य रोगी के लिए औषधि देता है।
- देवाय नमः — देवाय is चतुर्थी
अर्थ: देव को नमस्कार।
पञ्चमी — Ablative (from / than)
पञ्चमी marks separation or source — “from where / from whom”.
- अहं विद्यालयात् आगच्छामि — विद्यालयात् is पञ्चमी
अर्थ: मैं विद्यालय से आता हूँ।
षष्ठी — Genitive (of / possession)
षष्ठी shows relationship or possession — answers “whose”.
- रामस्य पुस्तकम् — रामस्य is षष्ठी
अर्थ: राम की पुस्तक।
सप्तमी — Locative (in / on / where)
सप्तमी marks location — “where”.
- सः नगरे वसति — नगरे is सप्तमी
अर्थ: वह नगर में रहता है।
