They differ in the way they sound; they're actually different letters. Check this consonant table, there are two "ta", one in row 3 and the other in row 4: http

They differ in the way they sound; they're actually different letters. Check this consonant table, there are two "ta", one in row 3 and the other in row 4: http://www.languagereef.com/consonanttable.php?lang=SANSKRIT http://www.languagereef.com/consonanttable.php?lang=SANSKRIT This video shows their pronunciation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8GhoAIAtt4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8GhoAIAtt4 This structure is same in all Indian languages.