Nāmāṣṭottara-dviśata: Gaṇa–Chandas–Yati Catalogue and Mnemonic Coding
रनौ भसौ चन्द्रवर्त्म वंशस्थं स्याज्जतौ जरौ / ततो जराविन्द्रवंशा वेदसैस्तोटकं स्मृतम् / न्भौ भ्रौ द्रुतविलम्बितं पुटश्च स्यान्ननौ मयौ
ranau bhasau candravartma vaṃśasthaṃ syājjatau jarau / tato jarāvindravaṃśā vedasaistoṭakaṃ smṛtam / nbhau bhrau drutavilambitaṃ puṭaśca syānnanau mayau
Cuando aparecen los gaṇa “ra” y “na” y también “bha”, el metro se llama Candravartman; y Vaṁśastha se forma cuando “ja” y “ta” van seguidos de “ja” y “ra”. De la secuencia “ja–ra” surge Indravaṁśā; y los conocedores del Veda lo recuerdan como Toṭaka. Asimismo, con “nbha” y “bhra” es Drutavilambita; y Puṭa se forma cuando “na–na” van seguidos de “ma–ya”.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Identification of metres (Candravartman, Vaṁśastha, Indravaṁśā/Toṭaka, Drutavilambita, Puṭa) via gaṇa sequences.
Vedantic Theme: Śāstra as a means of reliable knowledge; disciplined form safeguards semantic and ritual efficacy of recitation.
Application: Apply the gaṇa rules to compose or verify verses; train students by mapping sound-feel (druta/vilambita) to metre names.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: textual/śāstric space (prosody classroom)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.209.12 (Triṣṭubh and Piṅgala); Garuda Purana 1.209.14 (Virati/Nayanā linkage)
This verse shows that the text also preserves technical Vedic learning: correct chandas helps maintain accurate recitation, memorization, and transmission of sacred teachings.
It links specific gaṇa-sequences (like ja–ra, na–na, ma–ya) to named metres such as Indravaṁśā, Toṭaka, Drutavilambita, and Puṭa—i.e., metre is recognized by the pattern of laghu–guru groupings.
Students and reciters can use these gaṇa cues to scan verses, chant with correct rhythm, and verify metrical accuracy when copying, teaching, or digitizing Sanskrit texts.