What does the virama (್) below ಝ do?
It makes the consonant produce a different sound.
It silences the inherent 'a' and allows the consonant to join the next one directly.
It makes the consonant produce a louder sound.
It changes the letter's position in the alphabet.
Explanation
When the virama (್) is added below ಝ, the inherent 'a' is silenced and this consonant can join the next one directly.