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== 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 । 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.  

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><blockquote>''pūṣaṇvatete cakr̥mā karambhaṁ (r̥.saṁ. 3.3.18) itīndravajrāyā:। stuhi śrutaṁ gartasadaṁ yuvānaṁ (r̥.saṁ. 2.7.18) ityupendravajrāyā:। amī ya r̥kṣā nihitāsa uccā naktaṁ dadr̥śe kuha ciddiveyu: (r̥.saṁ.1.2.14) ityupajāte:। indrāsomā duṣkr̥te mā subhaṁ bhūt (r̥.saṁ.5.7.6) iti śālinyā:। rathaṁ na durgādvasava: sudānava: (r̥.saṁ.1.7.24) iti vaṁśasthasya ।''</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.  

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.   

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 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!”

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><blockquote>''chandojñānamidaṁ bhavād bhagavato lebhe surāṇāṁ guruḥ tasmād duścyavanastato'suragururmāṇḍavyanāmā tata:।''</blockquote><blockquote>''māḍavyādapi saitavastata r̥ṣiryāskastata: piṅgala: tasyedaṁ yaśasā gurorbhuvi dhr̥taṁ prāpyāsmadādya: kramāt ।।''</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 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.

<blockquote>छन्दांसि जज्ञिरे तस्मात् |<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90].</ref> ''chandāṁsi jajñire tasmāt |'' (10.90.9). </blockquote>Furthermore, in sukta 130<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 130].</ref>, metres such as Gayatri are mentioned.

<blockquote>छन्दांसि जज्ञिरे तस्मात् |<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90].</ref> ''chandāṁsi jajñire tasmāt |'' (10.90.9). </blockquote>Furthermore, in sukta 130<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 130].</ref>, metres such as Gayatri are mentioned.

* Sayanacharya has stated that the Chandas derives its name because of its act of enveloping the papa (wrong deeds) of people.  

* Sayanacharya has stated that the Chandas derives its name because of its act of enveloping the papa (wrong deeds) of people.  

<blockquote>पुरुषस्य पापसम्बन्धं वारयितुमाच्छादकत्वात् छन्द इत्युच्यते । Rgveda Sayanabhashya, Preface, p.32.</blockquote>He also quotes three Shrutivakyas to uphold the etymological meaning of the word Chandas.

<blockquote>पुरुषस्य पापसम्बन्धं वारयितुमाच्छादकत्वात् छन्द इत्युच्यते । Rgveda Sayanabhashya, Preface, p.32.</blockquote><blockquote>''puruṣasya pāpasambandhaṁ vārayitumācchādakatvāt chanda ityucyate ।''</blockquote>He also quotes three Shrutivakyas to uphold the etymological meaning of the word Chandas.

# The Aitareya Brahmana (2.5) notes that Chandas protect from getting involved in the sinful act. छादयन्ति हि वा एवं छन्दांसि पापात् कर्मण: ।

# The Aitareya Brahmana (2.5) notes that Chandas protect from getting involved in the Papa karma. छादयन्ति हि वा एवं छन्दांसि पापात् कर्मण: ।''chādayanti hi vā evaṁ chandāṁsi pāpāt karmaṇa: ।''

# According to the Taittiriya Samhita (5.6.6),  प्रजापतिरग्निमचिनुत,स क्षुरपविर्भूत्वाऽतिष्ठत्तं देवा बिभ्यतो नोपायन् ते छन्दोभिरात्मानं छादयित्वोपायन् तच्छन्दसां छन्दस्त्वम् ।  The shield of Chandas can also protect the sacrificer from the heat of fire. चीयमानाग्निसन्तापस्याच्छादकत्वाच्छन्द: ।

# According to the Taittiriya Samhita (5.6.6),  प्रजापतिरग्निमचिनुत,स क्षुरपविर्भूत्वाऽतिष्ठत्तं देवा बिभ्यतो नोपायन् ते छन्दोभिरात्मानं छादयित्वोपायन् तच्छन्दसां छन्दस्त्वम् ।  The shield of Chandas can also protect the sacrificer from the heat of fire. चीयमानाग्निसन्तापस्याच्छादकत्वाच्छन्द: ।

# The Chandogya Upanishad (14.2) quotes that देवा वै मृत्योर्बिभ्यतस्त्रयीं विद्यां प्राविशँस्ते छन्दोभिरात्मानमाच्छादयन् यदेभिरच्छादयँस्तच्छन्दसां छन्दस्त्वम् । When the deities were afraid of death, they entered and hid in the three Vedas. At that time, they were covered by the Chandas. Thus, the Chandas serve as a protective shield from untimely death. अपमृत्युं वारयितुमाच्छादयतीति छन्द: ।

# The Chandogya Upanishad (14.2) quotes that देवा वै मृत्योर्बिभ्यतस्त्रयीं विद्यां प्राविशँस्ते छन्दोभिरात्मानमाच्छादयन् यदेभिरच्छादयँस्तच्छन्दसां छन्दस्त्वम् । When the deities were afraid of death, they entered and hid in the three Vedas. At that time, they were covered by the Chandas. Thus, the Chandas serve as a protective shield from untimely death. अपमृत्युं वारयितुमाच्छादयतीति छन्द: ।