गुण

The letters अ, ए, ओ are labelled गुण as defined by अदेङ्गुणः (१.१.२).

गुण also refers to converting letters into अ, ए, or ओ.

When not explicitly specified, इक् letters are converted to गुण letters by इको गुणवृद्धी (१.१.३). Using स्थानेऽन्तरतमः (१.१.५०)

• इ/ई becomes ए
• उ/ऊ becomes ओ
• ऋ/ॠ becomes अर्
• ऌ becomes अल् The last two conversions are due to उरण् रपरः (१.१.५१).