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Level 4
Chandas — Vedic Meters
The rhythmic patterns underlying Sanskrit poetry and mantra
- Chandas means 'meter' — the rhythmic structure of Sanskrit poetry and mantras.
- Every Vedic mantra is composed in a specific meter that determines its syllable count.
- Vedanga Chandas (one of the 6 Vedangas) is the science dedicated to Sanskrit meters.
- Meters are classified by their number of syllables per line (Pada).
- The Gayatri meter (24 syllables) is the most sacred — the Gayatri Mantra uses it.
- Recognizing the meter helps in correct recitation, pronunciation, and understanding.
Sanskrit Meters
Gayatri24 syllables3 pādas × 8 syllables
Most sacred; Gayatri Mantra (RV 3.62.10)
तत् स॒वि॑तुर्वरे॑ण्यं॒ | भर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ धीमहि |
Anushtubh32 syllables4 pādas × 8 syllables
Most common in epics (Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata)
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे | समवेता युयुत्सवः |
Trishtubh44 syllables4 pādas × 11 syllables
Common in Rigveda (about 40% of hymns)
अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं | यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् |
Jagati48 syllables4 pādas × 12 syllables
Used in Rigveda; associated with sky and waters
इन्द्रं विश्वा अवीवृधन्त् |
Pankti40 syllables5 pādas × 8 syllables
Five-footed meter; rare but used in ritual texts
Brihati36 syllables4 pādas × 8+8+12+8 syllables
Used in Samaveda
Ushnik28 syllables3 pādas × 8+8+12 syllables
Used in Atharvaveda
Mandukya64 syllables8 pādas × 8 syllables
Longer hymns