Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c10.6

c10.6

In the Rigveda final *-a* and *-ā* are usually combined with an initial vowel following, whatever it may be: but final *-i -ī -u -ū* are only combined when followed by ‘similar’ vowels. It is the object of the present chapter to determine the practice of the Rigveda in these points and others of the same character, the extent to which exceptions are permitted, and the historical importance of these exceptions.