The anusvaar (अनुस्वार ) is a nasal dot that determines the pronunciation of a word. The anusvaar (अनुस्वार ) itself does not determine the pronunciation of a word. Rather, it is the character that follows the anusvaar (अनुस्वार ) that determines the pronunciation. There are seven possibilities that affect the pronunciation of an anusvaar (अनुस्वार ).

1) If the nasal dot is followed by the क , ख , ग , घ the nasal dot will be pronounced as ङ

Here is an example where this occurs: अंक = अङक (anka)

2) If the nasal dot is followed by characters च , छ , ज , झ the dot is pronounced as ञ

Example: संजय = सञ्जय (sanjay)

3) If the nasal dot is followed by characters ट ठ ड ढ ण the dot is pronounced as ण

Example: षंढ = षण्ढ (sandha)

4) If the nasal dot is followed by characters त थ द ध न the dot is pronounced as न

Example: तंतु = तन्तु (tantu)

5) If the nasal dot is followed by characters प फ ब भ म the dot is pronounced as म

6) If the nasal dot is followed by characters श ष स the dot is pronounced as अं

Example: कंस (kamsa)

7) If the nasal dot is followed by the space character the dot is pronounced as म

Example: एवं = एवम (evam)