The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c6.s2: Section 7. Musical Intervals
The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c6.s2
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Section 7. Musical Intervals
c6.s2.2
Musical tones are related to one another in four ways as Vâdîs, Samvâdîs, Vivâdîs, and Anuvâdîs. The mediæval compilations explain these in reference to melody, and harmony is altogether unknown, but the terms might be used to indicate relations of harmony as well. The Vâdî might in that case answer to the key-note (or tonic), and the Samvâdîs to the two consonances, the fifth (2 : 3), and the fourth (3 : 4).
c6.s2.3
The rule given for the determination of a Samvâdî is 12 or 8 Śrutis intervening, the intervals being, therefore, 13 and 9 Śrutis respectively (giving the ratios ⅔ and ⅓).
c6.s2.4
C being the Vâdî, G and F are stated to be the Samvâdîs.
c6.s2.5
In the same way, it is stated that if D be the Vâdî, A would be a Samvâdî. If E be the Vâdî, B is given as a Samvâdî.
c6.s2.6
On the other hand, a two-Śruti interval (*i.e.* a difference of a semitone) gives a Vivâdî, which would thus answer to a dissonance. This is given as a general rule (द्विश्रुत्यन्तरौस्वरौविवादिनौ Matanga). Other cases are also noticed, *e.g.* E is a Vivâdî to D, and B to A, and *vice versa* (ratio of 9 : 10).
c6.s2.7
The notes that do not come under these heads are Anuvâdîs (*e.g.* the sixth); *cf.* Bharata, Nâtya-Śâstra, Chap. XXVIII., Ślokas 23–24.
c6.s2.8
Also Sangîta-ratnâkara :—
c6.s2.9
चतुर्विधा स्वरा वादी सम्वादी विवायपि अनुवादीति । वादीतु प्रयोगे बहुलस्वरः श्रुतयो द्वादशाष्टौ वा ययोरन्तरगोचराः मिथः सम्वादिनौ तौ स्तो निगावन्यविवादिनौ । रिधयोरेव वा स्यातां तौ तयोर्वारिषावपि । शेषाणामनुवादित्वम् । (स्वराध्याय).
Linked texts (3)
- Saṅgītaratnākara — Śārṅgadeva, Sanskrit
- Nāṭyaśāstra — Bharata, Sanskrit
- Bṛhaddeśī — Mataṅga, Sanskrit