Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c13.122

c13.122

196. The special forms of dimeter verse are those exclusively found in uneven lyric metre, in Trochaic Gāyatrī, and in epic Anuṣṭubh. The hymns in uneven lyric metre present at first sight the appearance of great irregularity, verses of 7, 8, 11 and 12 syllables being combined with very little system. The analysis of the rhythm of the dimeter verses (§ 199) gives another impression. In no part of the Rigveda is the opening more regular, threequarters of the verses being of the type ◡ ◡ ◡ ◡; syncopated openings are exceptionally rare. In the cadence of the verses of eight syllables the iambic form is again found in about three-fourths of the verses, the chief variations being the long fifth and the short sixth syllable: these variations do not agree with those found in the other special forms. If we may trust the general view we have obtained of the developement of the dimeter verse, the uneven lyric hymns represent its earliest Vedic type.