Dwandwa Samas and Its Types Simplified | Learn Sanskrit

Types of Dwandwa Samas

Both the constituents i.e. पूर्वपद and उत्तरपद are equally important (this compound is उभयपदप्रधान)
Both the constituents are on the same level or are connected with the same action
This type of compound is called as स्वपदविग्रहसमास i.e. same constituents of the compound are used in its dissolution
But there is an addition of ‘च’ after each constituent. This addition of ‘च’ is indeed quite important and is a characteristic of द्वन्द्व समास
During dissolution, the constituents are always put in Nominative case

Sense of every constituent is different i.e. इतर – इतर – इतरेतर
Gender of the compound depends upon the last constituent of the compound (उत्तरपद)
If the number of constituents is two and if they are in singular, then the compound is in dua
सीतारामौ = सीता च रामः च |

If the number of constituents is two and if they are in dual/plural then compound is in plural
वृक्षलताः = वृक्षाः च लताः च |

If the number of constituents is more than two then the compound will be in plural

पत्रपुष्पफलानि = पत्रं च पुष्पं च फलं च | OR पत्राणि च पुष्पाणि च फलानि च |

समाहार द्वन्द्व समास - समाहार = सम् + आ + हृ = to bring together
So, the word समाहार means group
The constituents in this compound are not treated as separate units, but are considered as a ‘whole single unit’
Always neuter in gender and singular in number
Dissolved like इतरेतर समास
With the addition of एतयोः / एतेषां समाहारः |
This particular compound is prescribed for expressing –