An Outline of the Metres in the Pāḷi Canon

An Outline of the Metres in the Pāḷi Canon - 5
SYLLABLES
open closed
short
V a i u ⏑ −
O
W variable
E e o − −
L
S long
ā ī ū − (−)
Here is a verse from Mangalasutta of Khuddakapāṭha (5: 1) together
with its analysis:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 || 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
⏑ − − − ¦ ⏑ − − − ¦ ¦ − ⏑ − ⏑ ¦ ⏑ − ⏑ −
a & b Bahū devā manussā ca, ~ mangalāni acintayuṁ,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 || 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
− − ⏑ − ¦ − − − − ¦ ¦ − ⏑ − ⏑ ¦ ⏑ − ⏑ −
c & d Ākankhamānā sotthānaṁ, ~ brūhi mangalam-uttamaṁ.
In this verse nearly all the principles outlined in the rule can be seen:
1) a short vowel followed by another vowel = ⏑ , b 4
2) a short vowel followed by a single consonant = ⏑ , a 1, 5; b 2, 5, 7;
c 3; d 2, 4, 5, 7
3) a short vowel followed by a conjunct consonant = − , a 6; b 1, 6; c
2; d 3, 6
4) a short vowel followed by niggahīta = − , b 8; c 8; d 8
5) a variable vowel followed by a single consonant = − , a 3
6) a variable vowel followed by a conjunct consonant = − , c 6
7) a long vowel followed by a single consonant = − , a 2, 4, 7; b 3; c
1, 4, 5, 7; d 1
8) the last vowel in line a, despite its natural weight, is taken as
heavy