Sandhi (putting together*) is a phonological feature, prolly common in many
languages.
In Sanskrit, it's especially prominent, and perhaps one of the main reasons
for the difficulty of learning
this Holy Language.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhi
The word praaNaayaama consists of two words: praaNa and (most probably)
aayaama.
(The theoretically possible combinations are at least the following:
praaNa + ayaama
praaNa + aayaama
praaNaa + yaama
praaNaa + ayaama
praaNaa + aayaama)
So, the most likely sandhi in this case seems to be praaNa + aayaama ->
praaNaayaama.
The word praaNa is a combination of the prefix pra** + noun ana*** from the
verbal root (dhaatu) an.
(In this case *internal* sandhi causes the dental n to change to the cerebral
N because of
the preceding r-sound! Cerebral or retroflex sounds are perhaps the main
reason why many Indians
speaking English sound so "funny"...)
-
*
saMdhi m. putting together, junction, connection; union or intercourse with
(instr.)
**pra 1 ind. before ; forward , in front , on , forth (mostly in connection
with a verb , esp. with a verb of motion which is often to be supplied ;
sometimes repeated before the verb cf. Pa1n2. 8-1 , 6 ; rarely as a separate
word e.g. AitBr. ii , 40) ; as a prefix to subst. = forth , away cf.
%{pra-vRtti} , %{pra-sthAna} ; as pref. to adj. = excessively , very , much cf.
%{pra-caNDa} , %{pra-matta} ; in nouns of relationship = great- cf.
%{pra-pitAmaha} , %{pra-pautra} ; (`" according to native lexicographers it may
be used in the senses of %{gati} , %{A-rambha} , %{ut-karSa} , %{sarvato-bhAva}
, %{prAthamya} , %{khyAti} , %{ut-patti} , %{vy-avahAra}) RV. [Cf.
%{puras} , %{purA} , %{pUrva} ; Zd. {fra} ; Gk. $ ; Lat. {pro} ; Slav. {pra-} ,
{pro-} ; Lith. {pra-} ; &199671[652 ,2] Goth. {fau4r} , {fau4ra} ; Germ. {vor}
; Eng. {fore}.]
*** ana 2 m. breath, spiration.
an, aniti, anatibreathe, live. -- {apa} breathe out or away. {ud} [[,]]
breathe up, breathe away. {pra} breathe in, respire, live. C. revive. {vi}
breathe, breathe through. {sam} breathe, live. {anusam} breathe after.
