Table B. Pronunciation of the 13 Vowels
|
5 Short Vowels
(each lasts one count) |
8 Long Vowels
(each lasts two counts) |
| a |
atra (here), like about or alike |
ā |
mahā (great), like father |
| i |
iva (as if, like), like easy but not like it or is |
ī |
kīrti (fame, glory), like ease |
| u |
guru (heavy), like pull |
ū
| bhūta (reality, being), like pool |
| ṛ |
amṛta (nectar for immortality), like pretty but not like prick |
ṝ |
pitṝn (fathers, accusative case), like pretty lengthened |
| ḷ |
kḷpta (arranged), like apple or kettle |
| |
| | |
e = a + i |
ehi (Come near!), like safe |
| | |
ai = ā + i |
maitreya (benevolent), like aisle |
| | |
o = a + u |
namo (homage), like ocean, without first bunching the lips as if to pronounce the word woe |
| | |
au = ā + u |
kauśalya (skillfulness), like loud |
