Adhyaya 207
Chandaḥśāstra: Mātrā–Varṇa, Guru–Laghu, Gaṇa, and Metre Types
Continuing the Brahma-khaṇḍa’s encyclopedic teaching, Sūta begins a technical lesson on chandas for students who need clear, rule-based guidance. After sanctifying the study with invocations, he defines the metrical units mātrā and varṇa and introduces gaṇa pattern-groupings used in different verse positions, noting especially that Āryā works throughout by four-syllable groupings. He then lays down practical rules for identifying guru (two-mātrā) syllables through long vowels, consonant endings, visarga, anusvāra, and consonant clusters, with an optional heaviness at the end of a pāda. The chapter also acknowledges irregular scansion caused by sandhi or sequencing—terms such as śloka-cāryā and ati-viccheda—useful for diagnosing textual variants. It concludes by defining pāda and classifying metres as sama, ardhasama, or viṣama, preparing the way for later chapters on practical metrical identification and composition.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच / वासुदेवं गुरुं नत्वा गणं शम्भुं सरस्वतीम् / मात्रावर्णप्रभेदेन च्छन्दो वक्ष्ये ऽल्पबुद्धये
Sūta said: Having bowed to Vāsudeva, the supreme teacher, to Gaṇa (Gaṇeśa), to Śambhu (Śiva), and to Sarasvatī, I shall explain the science of poetic metres (chandas) through the distinctions of mātrā (morae) and varṇa (syllabic sounds), for the benefit of those of limited understanding.
Verse 2
सर्वादिमध्यान्तगलौ म्नौ भ्यौ ज्रौ स्तौ त्रिका गणाः / आर्या चतुष्कलाद्यन्तसर्वमध्ये चतुर्गणाः
In every position—at the beginning, middle, and end—the metrical gaṇas include the patterns called ‘glau’, ‘mnau’, ‘bhyau’, ‘jrau’, and ‘stau’; these are the tri-syllabic gaṇas. In the Āryā metre, however, there are four-syllable groupings in all places—at the start, the end, and throughout the middle.
Verse 3
व्यञ्जनान्तो विसर्गान्तौ दीर्घो युक्तपरो गुरुः / सानुस्वारश्च पादान्तो वा इत्युक्तो द्विमात्रकः
A syllable is held to be heavy (guru)—that is, of two mātrās—when it ends in a consonant, ends in visarga (ḥ), is long (dīrgha), or is followed by a consonant cluster; likewise, a syllable bearing anusvāra (ṃ), and optionally a syllable at the end of a pāda, is also said to be of two mātrās.
Verse 4
यदा नापि क्रमं योगे लघुतापि क्वचिद्गुरोः / श्लोकचार्यादिसंज्ञा स्याद्यतिर्विच्छेदसंज्ञिका
When, in applying yoga (euphonic combination/sandhi), the proper sequence is not observed, and even a syllable that ought to be heavy (guru) is found to be light (laghu) somewhere, it is designated by names such as “śloka-cāryā” and the like; it is also known as “ati-viccheda”, an excess or break.
Verse 5
ज्ञेयः पादश्च तुर्यांशो युक् समं विषमन्त्वयुक् / सममर्धसमं वृत्तं विषमञ्च तृतीयकम्
A pāda is to be understood as a quarter-part. When the metrical feet are properly joined (yukta), the metre is called “sama” (even) or “viṣama” (uneven). Among vṛttas, one is “sama”, another “ardhasama” (half-even), and the third is “viṣama” (uneven).
Frequently Asked Questions
A syllable is guru (two mātrās) when it is long (dīrgha), ends in a consonant, ends in visarga (ḥ), carries anusvāra (ṃ), or is followed by a consonant cluster; additionally, a syllable at the end of a pāda may be treated as guru by convention.
They indicate a scansion anomaly where, due to joining/sequence issues in application (yoga) or transmission, a position expected to be guru appears laghu (or otherwise deviates). Such labels help a reader recognize metrical “breaks” that may reflect variant readings or recitational practice.