The na of vāhana is changed into ṇa , when the letter producing the change, occurs in the first member of a compound, denoting the thing carried.,
Thus इक्षुवाहणम् 'a sugar-cart'. शरवाहणम् \a reed-cart\. दर्भवाहणम् 'a hay-cart'.
The thing which being placed on a cart is carried, is called आहित ॥
Why do we say \denoting the thing carried\. Observe दाक्षिवाहणम् \a vehicle belonging to Dakshi\.
The word वाहन is formed by adding ल्युट् to वह्, and lengthening of the penultimate is valid by the nipatana of this sutra.,