The Cambridge Introduction to Sanskrit

IMPERFECT

Athematic imperfect forms employ the augment and the same endings as thematic verbs in the imperfect; yet note that the 1st SG and 3rd PL include an -a-:

Like athematic present forms, athematic imperfects display the strong root in the singular and the weak root everywhere else; compare the imperfect paradigm of √हु ‘to sacrifice’ (and note the appearance of the guṇa stem before a vowel in the 1st Sg):

Sandhi

In verbs whose stem ends in a consonant (which is possible in all classes that do not add a suffix, i.e. II, III and VII), the 2nd and 3rd SG may be difficult to recognise or tell apart: consonant clusters at the end of Sanskrit words are simplified by dropping all consonants but one (just as happens in the NOM SG of consonant stems –› Chapter 15), and, as a consequence, both forms may be identical: see √हन् II ‘to kill’ below or the 2nd and 3rd SG IMPF of √रुध् VII ‘to obstruct’, अरुणत् (from *aruṇadh-s and *aruṇadh-t). The 2nd and 3rd SG IMPF of √द्विष् ‘to hate’ is अद्वेट्. Instead of memorising a list of forms here, it is best to remember that athematic imperfect forms whose ending is difficult to recognise are probably 2nd or 3rd SG.

POTENTIAL

Athematic verbs do not have the potential marker -e- that we know from thematic verbs. Instead, the suffix -yā- is added to the weak stem, giving -yām, -yāḥ etc.; but note that the 3rd PL ending is -yuḥ.

(Cf. the Reference Grammar (Appendix III) for a list of full imperfect and potential paradigms.)

NOTEWORTHY PARADIGMS

Among athematic verbs, there are a number of forms that are irregular or difficult to recognise. The following introduces the most common among them. Look over the paradigms and the brief notes above each. Depending on what you find easier, study the paradigms or the notes.

√अस् (Class II) ‘to be’

The regular weak form of the root √अस् is s-, giving e.g. 1st SG अस्मि, but 1st DU स्वः, 1st PL स्मः and 3rd PL सन्ति. This weak s- is also found throughout the potential, giving us स्याम्, स्याः, etc.