05-03-2007, 09:38 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Hauma Hamiddha+May 4 2007, 02:33 AM-->QUOTE(Hauma Hamiddha @ May 4 2007, 02:33 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->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).
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That is consistent with mAtrA-lakShaNam. Duration of a mAtrA is arbitrarily chosen depending upon the desired speed of the chant. It also mentions fractional mAtrAs. Some akSharas that form the nidhanas can last 6 mAtrAs.
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).
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That is consistent with mAtrA-lakShaNam. Duration of a mAtrA is arbitrarily chosen depending upon the desired speed of the chant. It also mentions fractional mAtrAs. Some akSharas that form the nidhanas can last 6 mAtrAs.