Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c14.70

c14.70

(iv) Although the form ◡ || ◡ ◡ is a regular form in all periods, it is comparatively little used in the Vasiṣṭha hymns, where it is actually less common than the form ◡ || - ◡. There is therefore ground for thinking that the latter form was encouraged by some distaste for the three consecutive short syllables at the break. In the end both these forms gave way to the dominant type - || ◡ ◡. It has been necessary to consider the quantity of the fifth syllable in connexion on the opening also, as it has a bearing upon the quantity of the fourth: but it seems that even with a late caesura the quantity of the fifth syllable is primarily affected by the syllables that follow.