• When ra is final in a compound, it is represented by a small diagonal stroke: T T + ^>-3T pra <* + ^ y $T dra cT + T >- ^ tra (note the truncation of the cT) • This form is retained when ra appears in the middle of a cluster of consonants: 'T + T + *T y W grya
- T + ^ + *T y ^T mrya
7. A. 3 Special Conjunct Consonants ksa and jfia Normally the symbols for a samyoga are constructed from their component symbols and are quite obvious to see, and their construction reflects their pronunciation. However, there are two which are quite different from their component parts: ^^ST ksa ^jT + ^VsT jna Although these two samyoga may be separated into their component parts when, for example, the alphabetical order is required in looking up a word in the dictionary, the symbols being so different from their components, reflect their sounds which are somewhat different from their components. A practical method of approaching the pronunciation of these two sounds is offered next. 7.A.4 Pronunciation of ksa • The idea may be novel, but it is quite straightforward to pronounce halanta sa prolonged: try it. Now, sound halanta ka through the sound of halanta sa — i.e. the prolonged halanta sa begins with halanta ka; the important point is that the tip of the tongue is in the murdhanya position throughout. Before sounding the halanta ka the breath is fully cut off by the back of the tongue in the kanthya position as for the normal pronunciation of ka; the difference for ksa is that the tip of the tongue is raised to the murdhanya position before sounding the halanta
