The Laghu-Sastha variety of an Anustubh metre
By S. P. Chaturvedi
Summary
In this short treatise, S. P. Chaturvedi defends the legitimacy of the laghu‑ṣaṣṭha variety of the Anuṣṭubh metre against criticism by D. C. Sircar. Sircar had earlier argued that an Anuṣṭubh quarter could not have a short sixth syllable followed by a long seventh and labelled certain verses as violations. Chaturvedi counters that classical poets recognised twenty permissible varieties of the Anuṣṭubh, including those in which the fifth and sixth syllables are short and long respectively. Citing verses from the Raghuvaṃśa, Kumārasambhava, Kirātārjunīya and Śiśupālavadha, he demonstrates that these patterns occur frequently and are treated as standard. Works on prosody refer to such forms as vipulā and capalā varieties. Chaturvedi explains that theoretical classifications like the pathyā‑vaktra (a form with strict long–short patterns) were never used by poets and should not be imposed retroactively on historical metre. He accuses Sircar of relying on isolated and misinterpreted examples and of proposing emendations without solid support. The article concludes by reaffirming that the laghu‑ṣaṣṭha variety is not a scribal error but one of the recognised rhythmic options available to Sanskrit versifiers.
Conclusion
Chaturvedi’s note affirms the richness of Sanskrit metrical practice and reminds modern scholars to respect the flexibility that ancient poets enjoyed. By situating metrical analysis within a tradition of prosodic treatises and poetic usage, he shows that what may appear as irregularity is often a recognised variant.