An Outline of the Metres in the Pāḷi Canon

An Outline of the Metres in the Pāḷi Canon - 14
−−⏑−¦−,−¦−⏑−−
Etaṁ viditvā sango ti loke,
⏑−⏑−¦⏑,−¦−⏑−−
bhavābhavāya mā kāsi taṇhan-ti. 1
1.17 Symbols
In the descriptions that follow these conventions are used:
⏑ = a light syllable
− = a heavy syllable
⏓ = light or heavy
× = the syllable may be naturally light or heavy, but it is always
taken as heavy
⏔ = one heavy or two light syllables
= one light or one heavy or two light syllables
= one light, one heavy & one light, or two heavy syllables
⏓⏑⏒ = two light syllables & one heavy, or one heavy & two light
syllables
Sarabhatti vowels are normally written in superscript e.g. ar i ya
Resolution is indicated by underlining thus: ⏑⏑
A single vertical line ¦ marks off the main structural segments within
a line (the opening, the break, & the cadence). 2
In the metrical markings above the verses in the Siloka metre the
pādas (lines) are separated by a double vertical line thus: ¦¦ .
1 Note that the quotation marker at the end of the line is outside of the
metre, as discussed in 1.13 above.
2
Note that sometimes in the literature on the subject segments and
pādayugas are separated by the use of a comma.