Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c15.30

c15.30

(ii) In i 120 1–9 both metre and meaning are very obscure in many of the stanzas. The starting-point for the interpretation of both is to be found in stanza 8, which gives us a metrical type 11.11.7, and also indicates that the matter of the hymn is exactly what is usual in hymns to the Aśvins. It follows that the text has been violently disturbed in some of the other stanzas, and needs correction. On the analogy of i 88 we may infer that the third verse will not always be of seven syllables, but may appear as a dimeter or a Triṣṭubh verse. In stanza 4 we find an additional verse of 7 syllables.