Origin of Chandas (Vedic Meter)

The Mantra Chandas are intricately connected to the idea of Vāsudeva and the development of jīvātmā within the realm of Vedic philosophy. There are various manifestations of the divine spirit, known as Vāsudeva or Viṣṇu, and these manifestations are associated with particular Vedic meters, known as chhandas, which are utilised in mantra recitations. It is the spiritual path of aligning oneself with divine protection and direction that is reflected in the evolution of the jīvātmā, which is the individual soul, and its relationship to Viṣṇu through particular chhandas, such as Anuṣṭubh. The fractions and their corresponding chhandas, which are Gāyatrī and Anuṣṭubh, serve as evidence of the ordered character of Vedic knowledge. This is because the rhythms and meters of sacred chants are a reflection of the cosmic order observed in the universe.

"The progression of Vāsudeva"

Half (½) of Vāsudeva is derived from one eighth of the Viṣṇu as it evolves. ½ of Vāsudeva = ¼ × ½ = 1/8 Viṣṇu According to this, it can be inferred that one eighth of the vitality or essence of Viṣṇu is infused into this developing Vāsudeva. This implies that the Mantra Pada consists of eight syllables. This suggests that the mantra meter, chhandas, associated with this evolution, follows a pattern or rhythm based on eight syllables.

During the process of Vāsudeva's evolution, it undergoes a division into three distinct portions, each of which is governed by one of the three guṇas, which are qualities comprised of Sattva (Goodness), Rajas (Passion), and Tamas (Ignorance). Understanding these divisions is critical to understanding how divine energy manifests itself in a variety of forms and activities. It is by the help of these gunas that Vāsudeva expands into Anuruddha, Pradyumna, and Saṅkarṣaṇa, in that order. Mathematically, this fraction represents the twenty-fourth part of Viṣṭu, which is equal to ⅓ multiplied by 1/8. This fraction illustrates how the divine qualities of Viṣṇu, such as Anuruddha, Pradyumna, or Saṅkarṣaṇa, are portions of Viṣṇu's energy, which is represented as the 1/24th part. This particular division serves to define the Gāyatrī Chhandas, which is a Vedic meter that consists of 24 syllables and is related with four Sandhyas on any given day. "ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः।तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं।भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्" is the one of the example related to sunrise call savitur gayatri.

The individual soul, known as Jīvātmā, undergoes four expressions depending on the predominance of the three gunas. These manifestations include Uttama, which is the highest, Madhyama, which is the middle, Adhama, which is the lowest, and Udāsīna, which is indifferent or neutral. This fraction's mathematical representation is as follows: ¼ multiplied by 1/8 equals 1/32 (which represents the thirty-second (32) component of Viṣṇu).

This is the definition of the Anuṣṭubh Chhandas, which is considered to be among the most sacred Vedic meter with 32 syllables and it is most loved by Shiva. for example:

"ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥"

One of the most famous Vishnu mantras composed in Anuṣṭubh Chanda is the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra (The Thousand Names of Vishnu). This stotra is a revered hymn found in the Mahabharata, and it is chanted for the worship and invocation of Lord Vishnu's thousand names, each representing a different aspect of his divine attributes.

Here is an example of a verse from the Vishnu Sahasranama in Anuṣṭubh Chanda:

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशम्।

विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्॥

It is said that the Anuṣṭubh Mantra, regardless of the guṇa preponderance, is able to guide every jīva (soul) to the foot of Viṣṇu, which represents protection and sustainability. This highlights the concept that a soul can attain heavenly protection and spiritual nutrition by properly reciting and aligning itself with the Anuṣṭubh meter. This is true independent of the innate traits or tendencies that the soul possesses.

Om Tat Sat