Chandas (छन्दस्)

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

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’
• 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

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.

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

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.

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,

छन्दोज्ञानमिदं भवाद् भगवतो लेभे सुराणां गुरुः तस्माद् दुश्च्यवनस्ततोऽसुरगुरुर्माण्डव्यनामा तत:।

माडव्यादपि सैतवस्तत ऋषिर्यास्कस्तत: पिङ्गल: तस्येदं यशसा गुरोर्भुवि धृतं प्राप्यास्मदाद्य: क्रमात् ।।

(Pingala-Chandovichiti-bhasya on Chandas Sutra 8.16)

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.

व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology

1. The word ‘Chandas’, at first is observed in the Purusha Sukta of the Rgveda as छन्दांसि जज्ञिरे तस्मात् | chandāṁsi jajñire tasmāt | (10.90.9). Furthermore, in sukta 130, metres such as Gayatri are mentioned.
2. Sayanacharya has stated that the Chandas derives its name because of its act of enveloping the papa (wrong deeds) of people. पुरुषस्य पापसम्बन्धं वारयितुमाच्छादकत्वात् छन्द इत्युच्यते । ṚgVeda Sāyaṇabhāṣya, Preface, p.32.

He also quotes three Śrutivākyas to uphold the etymological meaning of the word Chandas.

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

(b) 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: ।

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

3. Yāskācārya accepts the meaning of Chandas as ‘to cover’ by quoting छन्दांसि छादनात् ।

4. Bhānujī Dīkṣitain the commentary on AmaraKosa called Rāmāśramī explains that

चन्दते । चदि आह्लादने दीप्तौ च (भ्वा.आ.से.) । चन्देरादेश्श्च छ: (उणादि 4.220) इत्यसुन् ।

The word ‘Chandas’ is derived from the root ‘Cadi Ālhādane Diptau ca’, which is used in the sense of ‘gladdening’ or ‘pleasing’ by adding the Uṇadi suffix ‘Asun’ .

Svāmī Dayānanda Sarasvatī also quotes the same in his commentary on UnāK. as चन्देरादेश्श्च छ:।। 4.220 ।। चन्दति हृष्यति येन दीप्यते वा तत् छन्द: ।

5. Pāṇini uses the word ‘Chandas’ as a synonym for the word Veda. In the etymology of the word ‘Ṛtviyaḥ’, the word ‘Chandasi’ in the Sūtra ‘Chandasi Ghas 5.1.105’ refers to the Veda. The reason for using the word ‘Chandas’ in the context with the Veda can be obtained with the help of aforementioned root ‘Cadi Ālhādane Diptau ca’.

Svāmī Dayānanda Sarasvatī in the ṚBhāBhū. opines that -

येन छन्दसा छन्दोभिर्वा सर्वा विद्या: संवृता: आवृता: सम्यक् स्वीकृता भवन्ति, तस्माच्छन्दांसि वेदा: । वेदाध्ययनेन सर्वविद्याप्राप्तेर्मनुष्य आह्लादी भवति, सर्वार्थज्ञाता चातश्छन्दो वेद: । with a thorough knowledge of the Vedas, man masters all the branches of knowledge and becomes happy; hence, the term Chandas indicates the Vedas.

6. Different meanings of the word Chandas are provided by the AmaraKosa (3.2.20).

विधुरं तु प्रविश्लेषेऽभिप्रायश्छन्द आशय: । Here, the word Chandas is mentioned as ‘opinion’ and ‘control’. In the commentary Rāmāśramī, the word Chandaḥ is stated as a masculine word and is derived from ‘Chadi Saṁvaraṇe’ of Curādi Gaṇa by adding the suffix ‘Ghañ’ छन्दनम् । छदि संवरणे (चु.प.से.) । घञ् । (Astadhyayi 3.3.18 )

7. Amarakosa (3.3.232) refers to Chandas as Padya and desire. छन्द: पद्येऽभिलाषे च तप: कृच्छ्रादिकर्म च । Rāmāśramī quotes that here the Padya refers to the metres like Anustubh etc. पद्ये अनुष्टुबादौ । The another lexicon named as Medinī (171.22) refers to Chandas as Poetry, Veda, willfulness and desire. छन्द: पद्ये च वेदे च स्वैराचाराभिलाषयो: ।

Vedic compositions also are observed to follow the willfulness of language rather than rigidly following metrical techniques. Hence, the Vedas might have been 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.

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.

Significance of Chandases in Vedic Literature:

In Vedic Literature, many stories and beliefs have been woven to indicate the significance of Chandas.

1. According to the Taittiriya Samhita (5.6.6.1), “प्रजापतिरग्निमचिनुत स क्षरपविर्भूत्वा तिष्ठत्तं देवा बिभ्यतो नोपायन् ते छन्दोभिरात्मानं छादयित्वोपायन् तच्छन्दसां छन्दस्त्वम् ।।” Once all the gods wanted to meet Prajāpati Brahmā. However, his body was surrounded by a raging fire. Hence, to reach Brahmā, all the gods covered their bodies with Chandases.

2. In the above Saṁhitā, a metaphor of a chariot is used for Chandases. “सोऽब्रवीत् प्रजापतिश्छंदांसि - रथो मे भवत । युष्माभिरहमेतमध्वानमनुसंचराणीति । तस्य गायत्री च जगती च पक्षावभवताम् । उष्णिक् च त्रिष्टुप् च प्रष्ट्यौ अनुष्टुभ् च पङ्क्तिश्च धुर्यौ बृहत्योवोद्धिरभवताम् । स एतं छन्दोरथमास्थाय एतमध्वानमनुसमचरत् ।। ”

Once, Prajāpati Brahmā said to the Chandases to become his chariot and carry him. At that time, the Chandases Gāyatrī and Jagatī became wings. Uṣṇih and Triṣṭubh became reins. Anuṣṭubh and Paṅkti became horses and Bṛhatī became the carriage. All they formed the chariot and carried Prajāpati.

3. According to the description in the Chāndogya Upanisad (14.2), “देवा वै मृत्योर्बिभ्यतस्त्रयीं विद्यां प्राविशंस्ते छन्दोभिरात्मानमाच्छादयन् यदेभिरच्छादयंस्तच्छन्दसां छन्दस्त्वम् ।” The gods were once afraid of death; hence, they entered threefold education. At that time, they covered themselves with Chandases and hid there.

4. In the Aitereya Āranyaka (2.5), “छादयन्ति हि वा एनं छन्दांसि पापात्कर्मणो यस्यां कस्यांश्चिद्दिशि कामयते ।” It is said that if anybody who performs a sacrifice to any of the direction is protected by Chandases from any sinful act from that particular direction.

5. According to the Śatapatha Brāhmana (7.5.2.60), “गायत्रेण छन्दसा त्वा छादयामि । त्रैष्टुभेन छन्दसा त्वा छादयामि । जागतेन छन्दसा त्वा छादयामि ।” The performer of sacrifice is protected only because of Chandas. As per another reference, the story is as follows: Lord Brahmā created this world and became free of the fear of death. At that time, he was very hungry. All the gods offered him food in the form of Chandases, and he was content with that food. In this way Gods were satisfied by Chandases and Chandases by Gods. “ तद् यत्र छन्दांसि देवान् समतर्पयन्नथ छन्दांसि देवा: समतर्पयन् ।” (Śatapatha Brāhmana, 4.4.3.1.)

6. Chandases are even called the animals of gods. They carry sacrifices to the gods. “पशवो वै देवानां छन्दांसि । तद् यथेदं पशवो युक्ता मनुष्येभ्यो वहन्ति । एवं छन्दांसि युक्तानि देवेभ्यो यज्ञं वहन्ति ।” (Śatapatha Brāhmana 1.8.2.8). These are seven in number. They are in the form of seven domestic and seven wild animals. All were created by Prajāpati. “छन्दांसि गच्छ स्वाहेति । सप्त वै छन्दांसि सप्त ग्राम्या: पशव: सप्तारण्यास्तानेवैतदुभयान्प्रजनयति ।” (Śatapatha Brāhmana,1.1.6.16 .)

7. In the Śatapatha Brahmana “रसो वै छन्दांसि ।” 7.3.7.37, Chandases are also called sentiments.

8. According to the Kauṣītaki Brāhmana, “तेऽब्रुवन्नङ्गिरस आदित्यान् । क्व स्थ क्व व: सद्भ्यो हव्यं वक्ष्याम इति । छन्द:सु इत्यब्रुवन् । गायत्र्यां त्रिष्टुभि जगत्यामिति तस्माच्छन्दस्सु सद्भ्य आदित्येभ्य आङ्गिरसा प्रजा हव्यं वहन्ति ।" (7-9.11.8.172) The Āṅgirasas asked all the Ādityas, “Where are you? Where should we carry the offering to you from the Sadas?” The Ādityas replied, “In Chandases.” Accordingly, the Āṅgirasas offered the offerings for Ādityas in Gāyatrī, Triṣṭubh and Jagatī.

9. The Viṣṇu Dharmottara Purana. states that the seven metres Gāyatrī, Uṣṇih, Anuṣṭubh, Bṛhati, Paṅkti, Triṣṭubh and Jagatī are the seven horses of the Sun. (III Khanḍa, 97.12.)

10. In the BhagvadGīta, Chandases are called leaves of the eternal Aśvattha tree . This indicates that the Chandases are innumerable. ऊर्ध्वमूलमध:शाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् । छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् ।। BhagavadGīta.15.1.

From the above references, Chandas are remarkably significant in the Vedic Literature. Moreover, Kātyāyana states that the entire Sanskrit Literature is in the form of Chandas. छन्दोमूलमिदं सर्वं वाङ्मयम् । Chandonusasanam Appendix 5.

The NāṭyaŚāstra states that not a single word can exist without Chandas, and no Chandas can exist without words. छन्दोहीनो न शब्दोऽस्ति न छन्द: शब्दवर्जितम् ।NāṭyaŚāstra,14.47.

Even speech is speechless without Chandas, states Yāskācārya. नाच्छन्दसि वागुच्चरति इति । Nirukta 7.2.

Therefore, Chandas is indispensable in Sanskrit poetry.