Adhyaya 330

In this chapter, Lord Agni systematizes Chhandas-śāstra by defining metrical jātis (classes) through mātrā counts, rules for syllabic omission, and the pattern-logic of gaṇas. He opens with a taxonomy of metres—Utkr̥ti and its derivatives—and clarifies cross-traditional synonymy (e.g., Atyaṣṭi also called Aṣṭi). Agni then distinguishes laukika and ārṣa orientations, linking classical practice with Vedic principles of measurement, before turning to the technical core of prosody: pāda structure and gaṇas as pervasive building-blocks. The chapter treats in depth the mātrā-based Āryā family—its defining gaṇas, odd/even pāda constraints, and named variants (vipulā, capalā, mahācapalā), along with performance terms such as gīti, upagīti, and udgīti. It next covers Vaitālīya and the tenfold gopucchandas scheme, followed by procedural “vṛtti” methods (prācyavṛtti/udīcyavṛtti) and additional named patterns (cāru-hāsinī, cāntikā, citrā, upacitrā). The chapter closes with mnemonic and coding principles (e.g., gu for a single guru) used to preserve and compute metrical forms, exemplifying the Purāṇa’s synthesis of sacred transmission and technical exactitude.