Gerunds and "Real" Roots

Introduction

When we first studied the Sanskrit verb root, I mentioned that we would use a separate system of roots. This system is easier to learn and understand, and it has worked well so far.

But even though this is true, there is an important practical reason for switching to the traditional system as soon as possible: almost nobody uses it. Dictionaries and other textbooks use the traditional system exclusively. Dictionaries and other textbooks weren't important when we were just starting out, but now that you know a bit about real Sanskrit, they will be more useful to you.

In this, the last chapter of Starting Out, we will switch over to the traditional verb root system. As we do so, we will also study a verb form that demonstrates why we used a different system in the first place. These lessons will discuss traditional roots, the new verb form, and some new sandhi rules.

Now, some of you might think that the idea of spending four entire lessons on Sanskrit roots is very boring. I agree! But these lessons are all quite short, and they make an important point: Sanskrit is independent of the system that describes it, and we as students should do whatever we can to make things as simple as possible.