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A Guide to Pronouncing
Sanskrit Words
The following is a partial explanation of the pronunciation of Sanskrit words to aid you in using the names and mantras in this book.
Vowels: Each vowel in Sanskrit is divided into long and short. The long vowels are indicated by a straight line above the letter, as in ā, i, ū. Sanskrit words are pronounced evenly without accenting a particular syllable. Vowel sounds are similar to those in Italian. vowel
English equivalent
up or sum father dim deem tooth
moon r-is considered a semi-vowel. It is spoken
slightly rolled, as in the Italian signore.
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