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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

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  

Among the Vedas, the most ancient expressions like the Rgveda, Atharvaveda contain suktas 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’

* 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.

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

== छन्दसः उत्पत्तिः ॥ Origin of Chandas ==

== छन्दसः उत्पत्तिः ॥ Origin of Chandas ==

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.  

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 । Chandas Sutra, 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 Vrtta Ratnakara 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.

The first and comprehensive work on the Chandas Shastra is the Chandas Sutra by Pingala. Some interpret that Pingala is the founder of the Chandas Shastra. His treatise, the Chandas Sutra treats all the metres Vedic and Non-vedic like Classical metres, Gathas etc.

Some other traditions consider Śiva to be the first preceptor of the ChandaḥŚāstra. Yādavaprakāśa, a commentator of the Piṅgalasūtras, has represented the tradition of the ChandaḥŚāstra.  

Some other traditions consider Shiva to be the first preceptor of the Chandas Shastra. Yadavaprakasha, a commentator of the Pingalasutras, has represented the tradition of the Chandas Shastra as follows, <blockquote>छन्दोज्ञानमिदं भवाद् भगवतो लेभे सुराणां गुरुः तस्माद् दुश्च्यवनस्ततोऽसुरगुरुर्माण्डव्यनामा तत:।</blockquote><blockquote>माडव्यादपि सैतवस्तत ऋषिर्यास्कस्तत: पिङ्गल: तस्येदं यशसा गुरोर्भुवि धृतं प्राप्यास्मदाद्य: क्रमात् ।। </blockquote><blockquote>(Pingala-Chandovichiti-bhasya on Chandas Sutra 8.16)</blockquote>A story is recounted in the commentary named as Pingalapradipa on Prakrita-Pingala-Sutra by Lakshminatha Bhatta. It says that Sheshanaga, the serpent raja, is the first preceptor of the Chandas Shastra. According to this story, Sheshanaga was curious to know about how much load of the earth is carried by him. Therefore, to know the area of this earth he descended on the earth. After that, due to an enmity Garuda ran after him to kill him. Sheshanaga sought Garuda’s permission to teach him the Chandas Shastra before Garuda would consume him. While learning the Chandas Shastra, Garuda was completely fascinated by the rhythm, tempo, intonation, movements and pauses of metres. Subsequently, Sheshanaga commenced the treatment of the metre called Bhujangaprayata. He explained its form along with an example. Furthermore, he repeated the word Bhujangaprayata four times in the same rhythm. Garuda was totally engrossed in the joy of the metrical composition. Taking advantage of the situation, Sheshanaga gave Garuda the slip and glided into the water. At this moment, Garuda realised that he had been tricked and shouted, “you have cheated me!” Sheshanaga replied, “Sir, as per my promise, I warned you, not once or twice, but four times, but you did not listen!”

The paths traced in available resources are unable to map the origin of Chandas. Accepting that the Chandas existed during the Vedas and the Chandas Shastra or prosody, the system of metres gained importance as one of the Vedangas 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.

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology  ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology  ==