Adhyaya 210
Chandas-Lakṣaṇa: Upacitraka, Vegavatī, Bhadravirāṭ, Viparītākhyānaka, Vaitālīya (Aparavaktra)
Continuing the Brahma-khaṇḍa’s technical movement into chandas-śāstra, Sūta explains how particular metres are identified by gaṇa patterns in each pāda. He first defines Upacitraka through a distinctive odd-pāda sequence (sa-sa-sa-la-gā) with complementary even-pāda requirements, stressing a “quick/light” middle. He then notes conditional use of the ‘ga’ gaṇa in odd quarters and alternative prescriptions (na, ja, jya) elsewhere. Next, Sūta lists diagnostic gaṇa sets for metres such as Vegavatī and Bhadravirāṭ, clearly distinguishing odd and even (second/fourth) pādas, and mentions Ketumatī by its defining gaṇa. The discussion moves to narrative-oriented schemes (ākhyānakī) and introduces Viparītākhyānaka with a clear odd/even pāda blueprint attributed to Piṅgala. Finally, Vaitālīya—also called Aparavaktra—is presented as an aupacchandasika allied metre with fixed gaṇa groupings. The chapter prepares for further cataloguing of metres and names, enabling systematic identification in Purāṇic recitation.
Shlokas
Verse 1
नाम नवोत्तरद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच / सससलगाश्च विषमे पादे यद्युपचित्रकम् / समे भौ भगगाः स्युश्च द्रुतमध्या भभौ भगौ
Sūta said: “This is called the two-hundred-and-tenth chapter. If, in the odd pāda of a verse, there is the pattern ‘sa-sa-sa-la-gā’, that is termed Upacitrakam. In the even pāda there should be ‘bhau’ and ‘bha-ga-gā’; and with a quick (light) middle, the sequence is ‘bha-bhau’ and ‘bha-gau’.”
Verse 2
गः पादे विषमे ऽन्यत्र नजौ ज्यौ च गणौ स्मृतौ
The gaṇa called “ga” is used in an odd pāda; otherwise, the gaṇas “na” and “ja”, and also “jya”, are prescribed.
Verse 3
विषमे वेगवती सा गः समे भौ भो गगौ गणाः / पादे ऽसमे तजौ रो गः समे मसौ जगौ गरुः / भवेद्भद्रविराट् केतुमती तु विषमे सजौ
In an uneven (odd) pāda, the metrical pattern is called Vegavatī, with the gaṇas “sā” and “gaḥ”; in an even pāda it has the gaṇas “bhau”, “bho”, “gagau”, and others. When the pāda is uneven it is “tajau ro gaḥ”; when even it is “masau jagau garuḥ”. Thus it becomes the metre Bhadravirāṭ; and in the uneven pāda it is Ketumatī with the gaṇa “sajau”.
Verse 4
सगौ समे भ्रौ नगगा आख्यानकी त्वथासमे / तौ जो गगौ समे पादे जतजा गुरुकद्वयम्
In the even (sama) metrical scheme: when the opening of a pāda bears the pattern “sa-gau,” it is called “na-ga-gā,” and it also belongs to the narrative metre ākhyānakī. In an even pāda, “tau-jo-ga-gau” is prescribed; and “ja-ta-jā” forms a pair of heavy syllables (guru-dvayam).
Verse 5
विपरीताख्यानकं स्याद्विषमे जस्तजौ गगौ / ततौ जगौ समे गः स्यात् पिङ्गलेन ह्युदाहृतम्
The metre called “Viparītākhyānaka” is defined thus: in the odd (viṣama) pādas the gaṇas are “ja,” “sta,” then “jau,” and then “gagau”; in the even (sama) pādas they are “tatāu,” then “jagāu,” and it ends with “ga.” So it is declared by Piṅgala.
Verse 6
पादे ऽथ विषमे चैव पुष्पिताग्रा ननौ रयौ / समे नजौ जरौ गश्च वैतालीयं वदन्ति हि / वृत्तञ्चापरवक्त्राख्यमौपच्छन्दसिकं परम्
In the odd pādas, when the gaṇas are Puṣpitāgrā, Na, Na, and Ra; and in the even pādas, when the gaṇas are Na, Ja, Ra, and Ga—this metre is indeed called Vaitālīya. This vṛtta is also known as Aparavaktra, and it is regarded as the supreme aupacchandasika, allied to the standard chandas.
Verse 7
वाङ्मती रजरा यः स्यादयुग्मे जरजा रगौ
One who is named “Vāṅmatī” is said to be “Rajarā”; and in the odd positions (ayugma), “Jarajā” and “Ragau” are stated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upacitraka is identified by a distinctive odd-pāda pattern given as ‘sa-sa-sa-la-gā’, together with prescribed even-pāda gaṇa requirements (including ‘bhau’ and ‘bha-ga-gā’) and an instruction that the middle should be ‘quick/light’ (laghu-dominant), indicating a specific cadence profile across the quarter-verses.
In this chapter it is ‘defined by prescription’: the odd pādas follow a fixed gaṇa order (ja, sta, jau, gagau), while the even pādas take a different sequence (tatāu, jagāu) and conclude with ‘ga’. The ‘viparīta’ sense is conveyed by the deliberate alternation/contrast between odd and even pādas rather than a single uniform scheme.
Aupacchandasika denotes a metrical type allied to, but not strictly within, the most standard chandas families. Adhyāya 210 marks Vaitālīya/Aparavaktra as ‘supreme’ among such allied metres and defines it through strict gaṇa groupings across odd and even pādas, signaling a recognized but specialized metrical class.