Shloka 1
नाम नवोत्तरद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच / सससलगाश्च विषमे पादे यद्युपचित्रकम् / समे भौ भगगाः स्युश्च द्रुतमध्या भभौ भगौ
nāma navottaradviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca / sasasalagāśca viṣame pāde yadyupacitrakam / same bhau bhagagāḥ syuśca drutamadhyā bhabhau bhagau
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’.”
Sūta
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.210 (chapter on chandas/metre patterns: Upacitrakam etc.); Earlier gaṇa-sañjñā explanations in 1.209 (contextual continuity)
FAQs
In this verse, “Upacitrakam” is presented as a metrical/prosodic designation, helping preserve correct recitation and textual transmission by specifying gaṇa patterns for different pādas.
It distinguishes the odd and even quarters (viṣama/sama pāda) and assigns specific gaṇa sequences to each, indicating that meter is determined by patterned groupings of syllables.
Use these gaṇa cues to chant or scan the verse accurately—supporting correct pronunciation, rhythm, and reliable copying/teaching of Garuda Purana passages.