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== '''Introduction:''' ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Among the Vedas, most ancient expressions like the ṚgVeda, the Atharvaveda contain most of such hymns that are bound to some specific patterns. These are called Chandases (metres). These metres can be primarily classified as Vedic and Non-Vedic. The metres which are observed in the Vedic literature are known as Vedic metres i.e. ‘Chandas’, and those that are observed in Classical Sanskrit literature are known as Classical metres i.e. ‘Vṛttam’.

Among the Vedas, the most ancient expressions like the Rgveda, Atharvaveda contain hymns that are bound to some specific patterns. These specific patterns are called Chandas (metres). These metres can be primarily classified as  

* Vedic Metres - They refer to the metres which are observed in the Vedic literature. They are also known as ‘Chandas’

* Non-Vedic Metres - They refer to those that are observed in Classical Sanskrit literature. Also known as Vrtta or Classical metres.

== '''Origin of Chandas:''' ==

== छन्दसः उत्पत्तिः ॥ Origin of Chandas ==

Tracing the origin of Chandas is difficult. Some may interpret that these Chandases are originated from the Vedas. The Vedas themselves are composed in metres including Gāyatrī and Triṣṭubh. Some of the later Classical metres, such as Indravajrā, Upendravajrā, Upajāti, Śālinī, and Vaṁśastha etc. are also considered to be in the Vedas.  

Tracing the exact origin of Chandas is difficult. Some interpret that Chandas originated from the Vedas. The Vedas themselves are composed in metres such as Gayatri and Trishtubh. Some of the later Classical metres, such as Indravajra, Upendravajra, Upajati, Shalini and Vamshastha etc. are also considered to be in the Vedas. <blockquote>पूषण्वतेते चकृमा  करम्भं (ऋ.सं. ३.३.१८) इतीन्द्रवज्राया:। स्तुहि श्रुतं गर्तसदं युवानं (ऋ.सं. २.७.१८) इत्युपेन्द्रवज्राया:। अमी य ऋक्षा निहितास उच्चा नक्तं ददृशे कुह चिद्दिवेयु: (ऋ.सं.१.२.१४) इत्युपजाते:। इन्द्रासोमा दुष्कृते मा सुभं भूत् (ऋ.सं.५.७.६) इति शालिन्या:। रथं न दुर्गाद्वसव: सुदानव: (ऋ.सं.१.७.२४) इति वंशस्थस्य । ChandaḥSūtram, Intro., p.2</blockquote>Hence, we may say that Chandas hail from the earliest poetic compositions like the Vedic suktas and bear some similarity with them in later patterns also. It is, perhaps, therefore, that some prosodians like Kedara Bhatta in VṛttaRatnakara group them according to the Vedic pattern, i.e. by counting the number of syllables and label them accordingly.  

 

पूषण्वतेते चकृमा  करम्भं (ऋ.सं. ३.३.१८) इतीन्द्रवज्राया:। स्तुहि श्रुतं गर्तसदं युवानं (ऋ.सं. २.७.१८) इत्युपेन्द्रवज्राया:। अमी य ऋक्षा निहितास उच्चा नक्तं ददृशे कुह चिद्दिवेयु: (ऋ.सं.१.२.१४) इत्युपजाते:। इन्द्रासोमा दुष्कृते मा सुभं भूत् (ऋ.सं.५.७.६) इति शालिन्या:। रथं न दुर्गाद्वसव: सुदानव: (ऋ.सं.१.७.२४) इति वंशस्थस्य । ChandaḥSūtram, Intro., p.2

 

Hence, we may say that Chandas hail from the earliest poetic compositions like the Vedic hymns and bear some similarity with them in later patterns also. It is, perhaps, therefore, that some prosodians like Kedara Bhatta in VṛttaRatnakara group them according to the Vedic pattern, i.e. by counting the number of syllables and label them accordingly.  

Some may interpret that Piṅgala is the founder of the ChandaḥŚāstra. His treatise the ChandaḥSūtram treats all the metres Vedic and Non-vedic like Classical metres, Gāthas etc. Thus, in fact, it is the first and comprehensive work on the ChandaḥŚāstra.

Some may interpret that Piṅgala is the founder of the ChandaḥŚāstra. His treatise the ChandaḥSūtram treats all the metres Vedic and Non-vedic like Classical metres, Gāthas etc. Thus, in fact, it is the first and comprehensive work on the ChandaḥŚāstra.

The paths traced in available resources are unable to map the origin of Chandases. Accepting that the Chandases existed during the Vedas and the ChandaḥŚāstra or prosody, the system of metres gained importance as one of the Vedāṅgas  and evolved as a science in the post-vedic period.They proved helpful to preserve enormous Vedic Literature and therefore are treated as important.

The paths traced in available resources are unable to map the origin of Chandases. Accepting that the Chandases existed during the Vedas and the ChandaḥŚāstra or prosody, the system of metres gained importance as one of the Vedāṅgas  and evolved as a science in the post-vedic period.They proved helpful to preserve enormous Vedic Literature and therefore are treated as important.

== '''Etymology of the word ‘Chandas’:''' ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

1.The word ‘Chandas’, at first is observed in the Puruṣasūkta of the ṚgVeda (10.90.9) as ‘Chandāṁsi jajñire tasmāt’.  Furthermore, in hymn 130, metres such as Gāyatrī are mentioned.

1.The word ‘Chandas’, at first is observed in the Puruṣasūkta of the ṚgVeda (10.90.9) as ‘Chandāṁsi jajñire tasmāt’.  Furthermore, in hymn 130, metres such as Gāyatrī are mentioned.

8. In Sanskrit Sāhitya kā Itihāsa, the author Vachaspati Gairola mentions that छन्दयति पृणाति रोचते इति छन्द: ।  A beautiful speech with a particular rhythm is called Chandas.  Moreover, he also quotes छन्दयति आच्छादयति छन्द्यते अनेन इति छन्द: । the speech that delights the mind is also called Chandas.  

8. In Sanskrit Sāhitya kā Itihāsa, the author Vachaspati Gairola mentions that छन्दयति पृणाति रोचते इति छन्द: ।  A beautiful speech with a particular rhythm is called Chandas.  Moreover, he also quotes छन्दयति आच्छादयति छन्द्यते अनेन इति छन्द: । the speech that delights the mind is also called Chandas.  

== '''Significance of Chandases  in Vedic Literature:''' ==

== छन्दसः महत्त्वम् ॥ Significance of Chandas in Vedic Literature ==

Chandas, as one of the six auxiliary disciplines or Vedāṅgas, has an important role in the study of Vedic literature. These six Vedāṅgas are Śikṣā (phonetics), Kalpa (ritual), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chandas (prosody) and Jyotis (astronomy).  In the Veda-s, the Chandas represents the feet of the Veda-puruṣa.  It is the foundation of the Veda-s. It plays a crucial role during the chanting of hymns. By the study of the Veda-s with the Vedāṅga-s, a disciple attains greatness in the Brahmaloka.  Knowledge of Chandas facilitates the attainment of heaven, fame and long life. It is meritorious. It brings prosperity and is auspicious.  The one who knows the use of Chandas-es becomes united with the Chandas-es and attains eternal prosperity after being free from body i.e. death.  On the other hand, if anyone chants or imparts a Mantra with insufficient knowledge of the seer, metres, the deity and the application of the Mantra, he becomes sinful.  Such a person is called a Mantrakaṇṭaka by Ṣaḍguruśiṣya in his commentary Vedārthadīpikā on the SarvaAnu., I.2.

Chandas, as one of the six auxiliary disciplines or Vedāṅgas, has an important role in the study of Vedic literature. These six Vedāṅgas are Śikṣā (phonetics), Kalpa (ritual), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chandas (prosody) and Jyotis (astronomy).  In the Veda-s, the Chandas represents the feet of the Veda-puruṣa.  It is the foundation of the Veda-s. It plays a crucial role during the chanting of hymns. By the study of the Veda-s with the Vedāṅga-s, a disciple attains greatness in the Brahmaloka.  Knowledge of Chandas facilitates the attainment of heaven, fame and long life. It is meritorious. It brings prosperity and is auspicious.  The one who knows the use of Chandas-es becomes united with the Chandas-es and attains eternal prosperity after being free from body i.e. death.  On the other hand, if anyone chants or imparts a Mantra with insufficient knowledge of the seer, metres, the deity and the application of the Mantra, he becomes sinful.  Such a person is called a Mantrakaṇṭaka by Ṣaḍguruśiṣya in his commentary Vedārthadīpikā on the SarvaAnu., I.2.