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The Influence of Sanskrit on Balinese Script

Sanskrit Roots

Sanskrit has a major influence on Balinese script and language, especially in religious, philosophical, and literary terms.

Aksara Murda

The most visible influence is aksara murda — special characters for retroflex sounds from Sanskrit, used for words like dharma and Vishnu/Wisnu.

Borrowed Vocabulary

About 30-40% of refined Balinese vocabulary comes from Sanskrit: pura (temple), dharma (righteousness), yoga (union).

Abugida System

The Balinese script adopts Sanskrit's abugida system, where each consonant inherently carries the vowel "a".

This article was drafted with AI assistance and is reviewed over time. Check Balinese wording with a teacher or native speaker before using it for anything official, printed, or ceremonial.

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