Metres in Sanskrit Poetry - (Part 1)

Описание: Metres in Sanskrit Poetry - (Part 1)
by Smt Rajani Arjun Shankar
There are different metres in the verses of the Vedas, and Chandas Shastra (Prosody) is one of the six Vedangas (Angas or Parts of the Vedas). Chandas is in fact the "Feet" of the Vedas.
Chandas simply means a metre. Sanskrit poetry has more than a hundred different kinds of metres, which are used by poets to compose their works : Stotrams(hymns in praise of Gods) and Kavyas (books in verse). The rules for these metres range from very simple ones to very complex, such that we wonder how poets could write verses adhering to such stringent requirements.

These three videos explain how syllables are classified as Light (Laghu)and Heavy (Guru). This is the building block for understanding the rules of each Chandas - its length and its pattern. Based on that the following metres are explained with examples :
Part 1 - Anushthubh, Upajati
Part 2 - Totaka, Bhujanga prayata, Vasantatilaka, Malini
Part 3 - Pancha-chamara, Shikharini, Shardula-vikridita, Matra-samaka

Although mainly intended for school and college students, it is hoped that these videos will also help others to appreciate the great dexterity employed and thrilling beauty hidden in the cadence of verses we chant in our prayers and Pujas etc.