Course Content

Sanskrit Chandas, or prosody, is a vital aspect of Vedic and Sanskrit studies, focusing on the study of poetic meters and verse in Sanskrit literature. It is one of the six Vedangas, the auxiliary disciplines associated with the Vedas. It provides rhythm and structure to poetry and enhances the aesthetic and mnemonic qualities of verses.
Each Chandas has its own rhythm, movements, and aesthetics. It Influences classical Indian music and dance rhythms. Most classical works in Sanskrit are composed in verse format. There is a scientific basis behind the construction of these verses and understanding it will aid in effectively grasping the verses in any Sanskrit text.
In this course, students will learn –
❖ Explore the major Vedic and Laukika Chandas (meters).
❖ Examine the characteristic features (lakṣaṇa) of each chandas and their practical applications (prayoga).
❖ Distinguish between light (laghu) and heavy (guru) syllables.
❖ Investigate Gaṇa parichaya—the introduction to gaṇa, which describes patterns of three syllables combining light and heavy elements.
❖ Study Syllabic Verse (akṣara-vṛtta): Meters based on a fixed number of syllables per verse.
❖ Analyze Syllabo-Quantitative Verse (varṇa-vṛtta): Meters defined by a fixed sequence of light and heavy syllables.
❖ Understand Quantitative Verse (mātrā-vṛtta): Meters determined by a fixed number of morae (mātrās) per verse.