The Mute Consonants – sparśa

◊       The sparśa are 25 in numbers as shown above in Table 1. To create the isomorphism from external reality to discursive language as we speak, the first mute ‘k’ ( k ) to the last mute ‘m’ ( ma ) – the glottis to the labials are traced and the entire mouth is virtually ‘shaped’ in these varnas. They are divided into five classes of five each :-

kavarga ( kvaga- : k¸ K¸ ga¸ Ga¸ = ) these are kanthasth or guttural ;

cavarga ( cavaga- : ca¸ C¸ ja¸ Ja¸ Ha ) these are tālavya or palatal ;

tavarga ( Tvaga- : T¸ z¸ D¸ Z¸ Na ) these are mūrdhana or cerebral ;

tavarga ( tvaga- : t¸ qa¸ d¸ Qa¸ na ) these are dantasth or dental ;

pavarga ( pvaga- : p¸ f¸ ba¸ Ba¸ ma ) these are östh or labial ;

If we look at them column-wise then the last column of five are nasals or anunāsik. In each class the first two have a harsh tone and are considered purusa or male while the 3^rd and the 4^th are softer and hence called kömal. At the same time the 1^st and 3^rd use lesser breath therefore they are termed as alp-prāna while the 2^nd and the 4^th are aspirates, using more life-force and hence they are termed māhā-prāna.