Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c5.29

c5.29

(iii) the final vowel of many flexional endings and of several adverbs is given by the text sometimes as short, sometimes as long. The distinction to a large extent follows the preferences of the metrical rhythm : and it is not easy to determine whether the quantity given represents the true value of the ending, or an artificial pronunciation by which a slight irregularity of metre is glozed over. In these cases the Pada-pāṭha usually gives the short value, but this is only evidence of the pronunciation of the word at the time when this commentary was composed.