Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question is based on the rule of visarga sandhi. Here, the visarga (ः) has been changed to 'ष्'.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
There is a rule of visarga sandhi: If the vowel before the visarga (ः) is 'i' or 'u', and the character after the visarga is 'k', 'kh', 'p', or 'f', then the visarga changes to 'ष्' (the 'sh' sound from 'shatkon').
\[ uḥ + ka \rightarrow uṣ + ka \]
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The given word 'दुष्कृतम्' needs to be analyzed for its sandhi.
Here, the character 'ष्' is present, followed by 'k'.
According to the rule, this 'ष्' could have originated from a visarga (ः).
If we change 'ष्' back to a visarga, the word splits into 'दुः' and 'कृतम्'.
In 'दुः', the vowel before the visarga is 'u', and the character after it is 'k' from 'कृतम्'. This matches the rule.
\[ duḥ + kṛtam \rightarrow duṣkṛtam \]
Therefore, the correct sandhi split is 'दुः+कृतम्'.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct sandhi split for 'दुष्कृतम्' is 'दुः+कृतम्'.