Shloka 1
Āryā-Chandas Lakṣaṇa; Gīti-Bheda; Vaitālīya-Vaktra; Mātrā-to-Varṇa Transition
नाम सप्तोत्तरद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच / आर्यालक्ष्म त्वष्ट गणाः सदा जो विषमे न हि / षष्ठे जो न्लौ वापि भवेत् पदं षष्ठे द्वितीयलात्
nāma saptottaradviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca / āryālakṣma tvaṣṭa gaṇāḥ sadā jo viṣame na hi / ṣaṣṭhe jo nlau vāpi bhavet padaṃ ṣaṣṭhe dvitīyalāt
सूत उवाच—अथ द्विशताष्टोत्तराध्यायः। आर्यालक्षणं वक्ष्ये; गणाः स्थिरविन्यासिताः। विषमे जो न विद्येत; षष्ठे जो, षष्ठे न्लौऽपि स्यात्; तस्मात् षष्ठाद् द्वितीयलाभागो निर्णीयते॥
Sūta
Concept: Āryā-chandas lakṣaṇa: gaṇa arrangement constraints (e.g., restrictions in odd pādas; sixth position allowances) defining metrical correctness.
Vedantic Theme: Śabda as disciplined form; fidelity to tradition through rule-governed expression.
Application: Apply the stated gaṇa constraints when identifying or composing Āryā; check odd pādas for prohibited gaṇa and verify sixth-position patterns.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.208.2 (Āryā variations: pathyā/vipulā); Garuda Purana 1.207.5 (pāda and metre classes)
FAQs
This verse frames the chapter as a technical note on Āryā chandas, helping preserve correct recitation, segmentation (pāda), and the metrical integrity of transmitted verses.
It states a rule-based gaṇa arrangement: the ‘jo’ gaṇa is excluded in odd pādas, while the sixth position has ‘jo’, and an alternative ‘nlau’ may be permitted—guiding how the pādas are scanned.
Use these markers when chanting or digitizing the text: correct pāda breaks and metrical scanning reduce errors in oral recitation, transliteration, and searchable digital editions.