Adhyaya 327
Chapter 327 — छन्दःसारः (Chandas-sāra: The Essence of Metres)
This chapter turns from temple and mantra practice to the linguistic science that safeguards revelation: prosody (chandas). Agni presents a Piṅgala-aligned syllabus, defining metrical formation through basic syllabic units and the gaṇa system (triads) that encode patterns of laghu (light) and guru (heavy) syllables. It then sets out key rule-governed exceptions for accurate Vedic and śāstric recitation: a short syllable may count as long at a pāda-end; heaviness may arise from consonant clusters, visarga, anusvāra, and specific allophones (jihvāmūlīya and upadhmānīya). By formalizing how sound functions in metrical contexts, the chapter affirms the Purāṇic view that technical sciences are sacred supports—correct chanting preserves mantra efficacy, textual fidelity, and the continuity of ritual knowledge across generations.
Shlokas
Verse 1
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे देवालयमाहत्म्यादिर्नाम षड्विंशत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्तविंशत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः छन्दःसारः अग्निर् उवाच छन्दो वक्ष्ये मूलजैस्तैः पिङ्गलोक्तं यथाक्रमम् सर्वादिमध्यान्तगणौ म्लौ द्वौ जौ स्तौ त्रिकौ गणाः
Thus, in the Agni Mahāpurāṇa ends the three-hundred-and-twenty-sixth chapter, called “The Glory and Related Topics of Temples.” Now begins the three-hundred-and-twenty-seventh chapter, “The Essence of Metres.” Agni said: “I shall explain prosody in due sequence, according to what was taught by Piṅgala, using the fundamental syllabic units. The gaṇas (metrical triads) are: ma and la; two forms of ja; sa and ta; and the three forms of ka.”
Verse 2
धनस्यान्नाथमेकन्त्विति ख ह्रस्वो गुरुर्वा पादान्ते पूर्वो योगाद् विसर्गतः अनुस्वाराद्व्यञ्जनात् स्थात् जिह्वामूलीयतस् तथा
In expressions such as “dhanasyān nātham” and “ekantviti-kha”, a short syllable may optionally be treated as long at the end of a metrical quarter (pāda). The preceding syllable becomes long when followed by a consonant cluster (yoga), by visarga (ḥ), by anusvāra (ṃ), by a consonant, and likewise by the jihvāmūlīya (the guttural allophone of visarga).
Verse 3
उपाध्मानीयतो दीर्घो गुरुर्ग्लौ नौ गणाविह वसवोष्टौ च चत्वारो वेदादित्यादिलोपतः
From the upadhmānīya (the special visarga before labial sounds), a long vowel is treated as guru (a heavy syllable). Here the gaṇas (metrical triads) are named glau and nau. The Vasus are eight, the lips are two, and the quarters are four—these are indicated by eliding the initial syllables in words such as “veda” and “āditya”.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Piṅgala-style prosody framework: gaṇa classification and operational rules that convert syllable weight via pāda-end position, consonant clusters, visarga/anusvāra, and special visarga allophones.
By ensuring metrical and phonetic correctness, it protects the integrity of mantra and śāstra recitation—supporting ritual efficacy, accurate transmission of Agneya Vidya, and disciplined speech as a dharmic practice.