I. The Vedas : Anistubh

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Indian Verse
The Vedas, an Overview

Anistubh, (Sun God, originating from the veins of Prajāpati) the first of the Vedic chandas or meters is a stanzaic form in ordinary epic meter. The verse is often a chanted mantra.

The elements of the Anistubh are:

1. stanzaic. The stanza or chanda is written in 4 lines or padas
2. syllabic, a total of 32 syllables, the line are 8 syllables each.
3. irregular. The anistubh has an irregular cadence, caesura and alternating trochaic and iambic meter contribute.

   Note: Because of language differences and the lack of consensus in describing a consistent, specific metric pattern, in English it is probably best to create one's own "irregular" pattern, taking care to mix it up and not fall into a predictable iambic or trochaic pattern don't forget the value of caesura to help break up the rhythm.

   from the Rig Veda to Sürya (sun god) 1500 B.C. Norton Anthology World Literature Volume A, translated by Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty

   We have come up out of darkness,
   seeing the higher light around us,
   going to the sun, the god
   among gods, the highest light.

   The Sun by Judi Van Gorder
   
   My heart is grateful, filled with song
   raised to heaven upon the tracks
   of the sun's rays. I choose to live
   in the warming light of His Son.
   
   anustubh by Jan Haag

   Other Veda verse forms

   II. Sanskrit Verse
   • Anistubh
   • Brhati
   • gayatri
   • Jagati
   • Pankti
   • Tristubh
   • Ushnik