Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c12.s3.3

c12.s3.3

165. In the quantity of the final vowels of the prior elements of compounds and derivatives the Saṃhitā text is in general agreement with the metre, and doubtful cases are rare. Owing again to the complexity of the conditions, it is not easy to classify the occurrences or to treat them in a systematic way: but it may be recognized that the quantity of the final vowel depends partly upon the historical character of the prior element, and partly upon the phonetic character of the initial sound of the posterior element, besides any other influences that may be at work. It will be convenient to consider separately: (i) compounds in which the prior element is a noun or numeral; (ii) compounds with prepositions and particles; (iii) vowels preceding derivative suffixes; and (iv) the augment and the vowel of reduplication. The phonetic influence of *v* following will in each class claim special attention: in addition, it is possible that *y r l s* and *m* produce in certain groups of words some effect in the direction of lengthening.