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''Svara aksharas'' are also known as ''prana akshara''; i.e., they are the main sounds in speech, without which speech is not possible.  The term Svara here refers to the Varna and is not to be confused with accent or pitch which is also called Svara. ''Vyanjana'', i.e., consonants are incomplete and associate with vowels for pronunciation. They are also known as ''Prani akshara''; that is, they are like a body to which life (''svara'') is added. They include the rest of the three types apart from Svaras varnas namely '''Sparsa''' (mentioned as Stop), '''Antastha''' and '''Ushmana'''.

''Svara aksharas'' are also known as ''prana akshara''; i.e., they are the main sounds in speech, without which speech is not possible.  The term Svara here refers to the Varna and is not to be confused with accent or pitch which is also called Svara. ''Vyanjana'', i.e., consonants are incomplete and associate with vowels for pronunciation. They are also known as ''Prani akshara''; that is, they are like a body to which life (''svara'') is added. They include the rest of the three types apart from Svaras varnas namely '''Sparsa''' (mentioned as Stop), '''Antastha''' and '''Ushmana'''.

A vowel is pronounced in 18 ways (3×2×3), based on matra (time), its organ, and svara (accent) of pronunciation. However, there are some modifications. We get 18 ways of pronunciation for अ इ उ ऋ, ऌ  has no Dirgha (2x2x3 = 12 ways), ए ओ ऐ औ has no Hrasva, so we get (2x2x3) twelve ways.  

A vowel is pronounced in 18 ways (3×2×3), based on matra (time), its organ, and svara (accent) of pronunciation. However, there are some modifications. We get 18 ways of pronunciation for अ इ उ ऋ, ऌ  has no Dirgha (2x2x3 = 12 ways), ए ओ ऐ औ has no Hrasva, so we get (2x2x3) twelve ways.  

==प्रातिशाख्यानां शिक्षास्वरूपता ॥ Pratishakhyas related to Shiksha==

==प्रातिशाख्यानां शिक्षास्वरूपता ॥ Pratishakhyas related to Shiksha==

Pratisakhyas are the oldest Siksa textbooks intimately connected to shakas of [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|the four Vedas]]. Although the specific in subject matter their contribution in protecting the vedic form, is as invaluable as that of Vyakarana and Siksha texts. Their textual content differs from Vyakarana and Shiksha granthas in that they deal exclusively with the peculiarities of that particular veda shaka in the areas of svaras, sandhis and other pronunciation aspects and are thus as old as the Vedas themselves.<ref name=":3" /> Later Siksa texts are systematic, and often titled with suffix "Siksa", such as the Naradiya-Siksa, Vyasa-Siksa, Pari-Siksa and Sarvasammata-Siksa.

Pratisakhyas are the oldest Siksa textbooks intimately connected to shakas of [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|the four Vedas]]. Although specific in subject matter their contribution in protecting the vedic form, is as invaluable as that of Vyakarana and Siksha texts. Their textual content differs from Vyakarana and Shiksha granthas in that they deal exclusively with the peculiarities of that particular veda shaka in the areas of svaras, sandhis and other pronunciation aspects and are thus as old as the Vedas themselves.<ref name=":3" /> Later Siksa texts are systematic, and often titled with suffix "Siksa", such as the Naradiya-Siksa, Vyasa-Siksa, Paniniya-Siksa and Sarvasammata-Siksa.

The Pratishakhyas, which evolved from the more ancient Vedic padapathas, deal with the manner in which the Vedas are to be enunciated. There are separate Pratishakhyas for each Veda and they are composed either in sutra or shloka formats. They complement the books called Shiksha written by various authorities. Several Pratishakhyas have survived into the modern era:<ref name=":122">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1997) ''Samskrit Vangmay ka Brhad Itihas, Dvitiya Khand - Vedang.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Samskrit Sansthan (Pages 1-55)</ref>

The Pratishakhyas, which evolved from the more ancient Vedic padapathas, deal with the manner in which the Vedas are to be enunciated. There are separate Pratishakhyas for each Veda and they are composed either in sutra or shloka formats. They complement the books called Shiksha written by various authorities. Several Pratishakhyas have survived into the modern era:<ref name=":122">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1997) ''Samskrit Vangmay ka Brhad Itihas, Dvitiya Khand - Vedang.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Samskrit Sansthan (Pages 1-55)</ref>

==Shiksha Granthas==

==Shiksha Granthas==

In addition, several Shiksha texts exist, most of them in metrical verse form but a few in sutra form. The following list contains some of these surviving texts: {{columns-list|colwidth=10em|style=width: 600px;|

There are 35 Shiksha granthas available. These contain detailed descriptions of the pronunciation of mantras etc. A collection of 32 texts has been published named 'Shiksha-Sangraha'. Many important facts related to phonetics, difference between vowels and consonants, various differences related to uttering of vowels, description of place and effort etc. in pronunciation of varnas, difference between Anusvara and Anunasika, different forms of Visarga, scientific process of pronunciation of varnas, relation of Udatta svaras with the notes of the sargam, existence of hrasva ए and ओ, samvrit (closed form) and vivrita (open forms) of ओ and औ, rules regarding pronunciation, analysis of sandhi etc.<ref name=":6" />

* Apisali (in sutra form)

* Keshavi (Shloka form)

* Paniniya (Sutra form)

 

Although many of these Shiksha texts are attached to specific Vedic schools, others are later day texts.

Although many of these Shiksha texts are attached to specific Vedic schools, others are later day texts.

==References==

==References==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Vedangas]]

[[Category:Vedangas]]