Seven prominent "chandas" (metres) of Rigveda

Seven prominent "chandas" (metres) of Rigveda

Introduction

In the last series we discussed seven prominent Rishis. Veda is a huge collection of experiences of these Rishis.

This Vedic knowledge is presented in three ways: poetry, prose and music. 

Core of this knowledge is "Rigveda samhita" consisting of poetic mantras and each such mantra is presented in a poetic metre called "chandas".

For example 15 mantras in the Rig Veda "purusha sukta" are in "anushtup chandas". Ie., 4 lines of 8 syllables each. Whereas "vishwamitra gayatri mantra" is in "gayatri chandas" consists of 3 lines of 8 syllables each.

Apparent purpose of "chandas" is to create an elated state of mind. This gives rise to a phenomenon called "semantic satiation". 

Whereas the subtle purpose of "chandas" is to cover the essence of the mantra. 

A matra's essence is the experiential knowledge of Rishi to whom it was revealed. Chandas covers this knowledge and ensures that it is revealed to only those who are willing to dive deep in the spiritual process.

In Rigveda, 21 different metres are used and out of them 7 are considered prominent. Ie., Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtup, Brihati, Pankti, Trishtup and Jagati. Each of these chandas have their own variants and become highly fluid in classical sanskrit literature.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you these seven prominent chandas in Rigveda.

Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you so that you study Vedic literature and implement them in your day to day life.

All the best.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. Gayatri chandas

The "vishwamitra gayatri mantra" is in "gayatri chandas".

"तत्स॑ वि॒तुर्वरे᳚ण्यं॒

भर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ धीमहि

धियो॒ यो नः॑ प्रचो॒दया᳚त्" 

(RV 3.62.10)

In Sanskrit, "gayatri chandas" is made up of 3 lines containing 8 syllables each (totally 24 syllables). So gayatri chandas common pattern is 8-8-8. There can be other variant patterns totalling to 24 syllables.

In the above mantra, the 1st line has 1 syllable less & the 3rd line has 1 syllable more, making a total of 24 only.

In the popular tradition, we add "om bhūr bhuvaḥ suvaḥ" as the first line. Here "om" is "pranava" (the cosmic sound) and "bhuh bhuvaḥ & suvaḥ" are the "vyahriti" (extension of the cosmic sound). This is followed by the rest of the mantra (tat savituh…) to indicate that the gayatri mantra is the extension and expansion of the cosmic sound "om".

Arround 24% of Rigveda mantra are in Gayatri chandas making it the second widely used Vedic metre

In our next write-up we will discuss "usnik" chandas.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

2. Usnik chandas

By adding 4 syllables at the beginning of Gayatri chandas, we derive "Ushnik chandas"

अति वारान्पवमानो असिष्यदत् 

कलशां अभि धावति 

इन्द्रस्य हार्द्य्-आविशन् 

(RV 9.60.3)

In the above mantra "a-ti-va-ra" are the four syllables added in the beginning, making it - Ushnik chandas.

So Ushnik chandas common pattern is 12-8-8 and sometimes it can be 8-8-12 also, making a total of 28 syllables. There can be other variant pattern totalling to 28 syllables.

Though around 3% of Rigveda is in Ushnik chandas, it is traditionally revered as a prominent chandas due to its closeness to Gayatri chandas. Pingala in his Chandas shastra confirms this prominence.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "anushtub" chandas.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

3. Anustubh chandas

It is the most popular and widely used chandas in the Vedic tradition. It consists of four lines of eight syllables each making a total of 32 syllables.

15 mantras in the Rig Veda’s "purusha sukta" are in "anushtup chandas". The fifth mantra is:

यत्पुरुषेण हविषा 

देवा यज्ञमतन्वत 

वसन्तो अस्यासीदाज्यं 

ग्रीष्म इध्मः शरद्धविः 

(RV 10.90.5)

In the above mantra, each line has eight syllables each and total syllables are 32. The pattern 8-8-8-8 is the common variant of Anushtubh chandas. There can be other variant patterns totalling to 32 syllables.

Though around 9% of Rigveda is in Anushtup chandas, Sri Vedavyasa used it extensively and most of Bhagavad Gita shlokas are made up of Anushtup chandas.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "Brihati" chandas.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

4. Brihati chandas

Brihati chandas has pattern 8-8-12-8. 

तं घेमित्था नमस्विन 

उप स्वराजमासते 

अर्थं चिदस्य सुधितं यदेतव

आवर्तयन्ति दावने 

(RV 8.69.17)

In the above mantra, first 2 lines have 8 syllables each, the third has 12 syllables and the Last has 8 again. This makes total of 36 syllables and there can be other variant patterns with the same total.

The common pattern mentioned here is call “patya-brihati-chandas” and hardly 2% of Rigveda is in Brihati chandas.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "pankti" chandas.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

5. Pankti chandas

Pankti chandas has pattern 8-8-8-8-8. 

इन्द्रो वृत्रस्य दोधतः 

सानुं वज्रेण हीळितः

अभिक्रम्याव जिघ्नते 

अपः सर्माय चोदय 

न्नर्चन्ननु स्वराज्यम्

 (RV 1.80.5)

In the above mantra, 5 lines have 8 syllables each, totalling to 40 syllables. There can be other variant patterns with the same total.

The aforesaid mantra has one of the defining feature of Rigveda i.e., Indra slaying Vritra to free the (ap) waters blocked by Vritra. According to Sri Arabindo, Indra represents cosmic knowledge, Vritra represents the force of darkness and “ap” represents the flow, movement, availability & accessibility.

Around 3% of Rigveda is in pankti chandas.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "trishtubh" chandas.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

6. Trishtubh chandas

Trishtubh chandas has pattern 11-11-11-11. 

समिद्धो अग्निर् निहितः पृथिव्या

म्प्रत्यङ्विश्वानि भुवनान्यास्थात् | 

होता पावकः प्रदिवः सुमेधा 

देवो देवान्यजत्वाग्निरार्हन् 

(RV 2.3.1)

In the above mantra, 4 lines contain 11 syllables each making a total of 44 syllables. There can be other variant patterns with the same total.

Around 40% of Rigveda is in Trishtubh chandas and it is the highest used chandas in Rigveda.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "jagati" chandas.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

7. Jagati chandas

Jagati chandas has pattern 12-12-12-12. 

अददा अर्भाम् महते वचस्यवे 

कक्षीवते वृचयाम् इन्द्र सुन्वते 

मेनाभवो वृषणश्वस्य सुक्रतो 

विश्वेत् ता ते सवनेषु प्रवाच्या

(RV 1.51.13)

In the above mantra, 4 lines contain 12 syllables each making a total of 48 syllables. There can be other variant patterns with the same total.

Around 13% of Rigveda is in Jagati chandas and it is the third highest used chandas in Rigveda.

Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought you this series on seven prominent metres in Rigveda. (In our previous series, we had shared introductory write-ups on contribution of seven prominent Rishis in Rigveda). In our next series, we will share introductory write-ups on seven prominent dieties in Rigveda.

Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you so that you study Vedic literature and implement them in your day to day life.

All the best.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe