Q: Sanskrit Alphabetical Order

[nas_ng at lms420.jsc.nasa.gov]

         Q: Sanskrit Alphabetical Order
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Why are the Sanskrit vowels and consonants arranged into separate
groups? This question is important becausee in other Indo-European 
languages this order is not found. Is this order derived after 
ancient Indo-Europeans came in contact with the then residents 
of India, (Dravidians?).

Any pointers or references?

N. Ganesan
nas_ng at lms420.jsc.nasa.gov