Are “अं” and “अः” Separate Vowels in Sanskrit? A Vyākaraṇa-Based Clarification

Many learners assume that अं (aṃ) and अः (aḥ) are independent vowels. But does traditional Vyākaraṇa-śāstra really support this idea? Let us explore this topic logically and traditionally.

❖ A Thought-Provoking Question

If aṃ and aḥ are separate vowels, then why only these two?

Why not include āṃ, āḥ, iṃ, iḥ, īṃ, īḥ, uṃ, uḥ, ūṃ, ūḥ…? The vowel count would cross even 100+.

This clearly indicates that we must understand the concept correctly.

❖ Number of Vowels According to Pāṇinian Vyākaraṇa

Traditional grammar recognises vowel lengths called:

• Hrasvaḥ (ह्रस्वः)
• Dīrghaḥ (दीर्घः)
• Plutaḥ (प्लुतः)

When these are counted, the total becomes 22 vowel forms. Yet these are variations — not new vowels.

❖ Do Variations Create New Vowels?

Phonetic features such as:

• Udāttaḥ (उदात्तः)
• Anudāttaḥ (अनुदात्तः)
• Svaritaḥ (स्वरितः)
• Anunāsikaḥ (अनुनासिकः)

do not increase the vowel count. They only create pronunciation types — like the same person wearing different coloured caps.

Mathematical Understanding

3 lengths × 3 accents = 9 variations
9 × nasal / non-nasal = 18 pronunciation types

Even then, the vowel itself remains the same.

❖ Understanding “Ayogavāha” (अयोगवाह)

Before discussing anusvāra and visarga, we must understand Ayogavāha.

na vidyate yogaḥ (māheśvara-sūtreṣu) yeṣāṃ te ayogāḥ, vahanti vyākaraṇa-prakriyām iti vāhāḥ ।

The five Ayogavāha elements are:

• Anusvāraḥ (अनुस्वारः)
• Visargaḥ (विसर्गः)
• Jihvāmūlīyaḥ (जिह्वामूलीयः)
• Upadhmānīyaḥ (उपध्मानीयः)
• Yamaḥ (यमः)

❖ What is Anusvāra (अं)?

A nasal dot above a vowel is called Anusvāra (aṃ).

It can be added to any vowel length — therefore it is a characteristic, not a separate vowel.

❖ What is Visarga (अः)?

Two dots after a vowel producing a breath-like sound are called Visarga (aḥ).

Examples: aḥ, āḥ, iḥ, īḥ

Since it attaches to vowels, Visarga is not an independent vowel.

❖ Jihvāmūlīyaḥ & Upadhmānīyaḥ

• Jihvāmūlīyaḥ — occurs before ka/kha
• Upadhmānīyaḥ — occurs before pa/pha

Both are phonetic variations.

❖ Yamaḥ

A consonantal pattern like ghghnanti or palikknīḥ.

❖ Final Conclusion

अं and अः are NOT independent vowels.

They are:

• a + Anusvāra
• a + Visarga

🌿 Why This Matters

Correct understanding preserves clarity in:

• Śikṣā (phonetics)
• Vyākaraṇa (grammar)
• Traditional recitation

Rather than multiplying vowels artificially, we should appreciate the precision of the Pāṇinian system — where one sound carries many characteristics without losing identity.