External cons.-sandhi 3.3.2.: final -n

Question 1

Rule

Answer 1

There is no general rule for final n, it usually stays the same. But there are six conditions under which a final n will undergo a phonetic change.

Question 2

Final n before unvoiced plosive c, ch, ṭ, ṭh, t, th

Answer 2

-n + c, ch, ṭ, ṭh, t, th->the n changes to anusvAra and the plosives homoorganic sibiliant is inserted after the anusvAra:
apaśyan ca -> apaśyaṃśca
tān ṭaṇkān -> taṃṣṭankān
tān tataḥ -> taṃstataḥ

Question 3

Final n before ś

Answer 3

-n + ś-> n becomes ñ and ś becomes ch
munīn śṛṇoti -> munīñchṛṇoti

Question 4

Final n before j or jh

Answer 4

-n + j/jh-> n becomes ñ
śatrūn jayati -> śatrūñjayati

Question 5

Final n before ḍ/ḍh

Answer 5

-n + ḍ/ḍh -> n becomes ṇ
avadan ḍakāra -> avadaṇdakāra

Question 6

Final n before l

Answer 6

-n + l-> n becomes anusvAra and l doubles:
vadan lokaya -> vadaṃllokaya
(in devanAgarI mit candrabiṇḍu ँ)

Question 7

Final n following short vowel and preceding vowel

Answer 7

-shortvowel_n+vowel -> n is doubled
tasmin eva -> tasminneva