Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c13.134

c13.134

In the semi-cadence the iambic rhythm is still found in two-thirds of the verses in the first two groups, but only in one-third in the last group. In the first group the variations are fairly evenly spread over all the possible forms: in the second the epic form ◡ - - ◡ is the most common; and in the third this and its companion-form - - - ◡ are together as common as the iambic cadence. Single hymns can be found in which the new forms distinctly preponderate, and these are presumably the latest in the Rigveda. In all the groups the trochaic and syncopated cadences are relatively rare, and therefore there is no direct connexion between the semi-cadence of this metre and the cadence of Trochaic Gāyatrī.