006 OF THE COMPOUND CONSONANTS

15. Some consonants combine with others of a different name; of these, a few change their form in the state of combination; and others retain their original shape. The consonants that change their form when united with other consonants; are
1st ര & ർ. The letter ര is changed into , and ർ into (ൎ). In the former case the mark is affixed to the right side of a consonant, drawn underneath it from right to left, and pronounced after it; as ക്ര kra. The other mark is placed over a consonant and pronounced before it; thus ൎക rka.
2nd. ല. This letter, in combination, assumes the form before mentioned, viz. ; and is pronounced after the letter with which it unites; thus ക and ല, ക്ല kla.
.3rd വ. This character, united with other consonants, assumes this form , is postfixed to consonants, and pronounced after them; as ക and വ, ക്വ kwa.
4th. യ. In combination assumes this form , and is pronounced last; as ക and യ, ക്യ kya. 5th. ഞ. This nasal unites with the first letter of its own order; thus ഞ and ച, ഞ്ച Ncha.
6th. മ, ം, and ൻ unite with പ; thus മ്പ Mpa or Npa.
7th. ങ unites with the first letter of its own order; thus, ങ and
ക; ങ്ക Nka: ൻ and ക unite in the same manner.
8th. ഴ and ച unite thus, ഴ്ച Rcha.
9th. ണ and ട thus, ണ്ട Ntha.
10th. ന and ദ make ന്ദ, Nda.
11th. ന and ത, ന്ത Nta.
The remaining consonants, in combination, retain their original form; or in the very few cases where alterations take place, they are so trifling, as to prevent the possibility of mistaking the different characters; thus, സ and ഥ combine thus, സ്ഥ.
ണ and ഡ, ണ്ഡ.
ജ and ഞ, ജ്ഞ.
16th. Many of the consonants are tripled and compounded in various ways but this, after the explanations already given, will occasion the student no difficulty: the following examples will best illustrate this subject. ബ്രഹ്മാവ Brahma.
ശ്രീഗുരുഭൂതൻ His Excellency, the Teacher.
ഭസ്മധൂളി Dust of Ashes.
സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യം Liberty.
മൃത്യുഞ്ജയൻ Conqueror of death; one of the names of Shewa.