Hindu Narrative

[Hauma Hamiddha]

<!--QuoteBegin-Ashok Kumar+May 3 2007, 12:53 PM-->QUOTE(Ashok Kumar @ May 3 2007, 12:53 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->This also supports the view that the vedics didn't consider a fixed time-duration for an akShara as a given.  Hence the primary importance on counting the syllables, rather than on counting the mAtrAs.
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Indeed the vedic meter was mainly based on syllable count though probably there have been always been higher probablities for certain types of syllables occupying certain positions. The gAyatrI example highlights that. In triShtubhs (as in jAtavedase sunavAma...) the constraints are weaker. The mAtrA specifications are there only in certain specialized chants, but are again <i>relative</i> rather than absolute duration specifications. For exampled it is specified that the mAtrA of OM inserted into the last syllable in the sAmidhenI recitation is 3 units, the final OM after the sAmidhenI recitation is a 4 mAtrA one.

In the nAsadIya sUktaM it is specified that certain "I" are relatively 3 mAtras like "upari svidAstI3t"

So the elongation is relative to the how the reciter normal pronounces a short vowel (the duration of which is not specified).