An Outline of the Metres in the Pāḷi Canon

An Outline of the Metres in the Pāḷi Canon - 24
−−⏑−¦−,⏑⏑⏑⏑¦−⏑−−
Kiṁ devasangho atiriva kalyarūpo?
−−⏑−¦−,⏑⏑⏑⏑¦−⏑−−
Dussaṁ gahetvā bhamayatha kiṁ paṭicca?
2.8 Upajāti, Vaṁsaṭṭhā (Vaṁśasthā), and Rucirā
These are the fixed metres in the Canon that have been derived from
Tuṭṭhubha and Jagatī, their profile looks like this:
i) Upajāti (from Tuṭṭhubha):
⏓−⏑−¦−⏑⏑¦−⏑−×
ii) Vaṁsaṭṭhā (from Jagatī):
⏓−⏑−¦−⏑⏑¦−⏑−⏑×
As can be seen these are the "normal" forms of their respective
metres, but now allowing only little flexibility.
iii) Rucirā (from Jagatī, with resolution of the 5th syllable, giving a
13 syllable line):
⏓−⏑−¦⏑⏑⏑⏑¦−⏑−⏑×
Examples: Upajāti and Vaṁsaṭṭhā are used to great effect, both
mixed and independently in Tālaputta’s gāthās Th 1091-1145.
Vaṁsaṭṭhā and Rucirā both appear as independent metres in
Lakkhaṇasuttanta DN.30 (see 2.24)
Example Upajāti/Vaṁsaṭṭhā, Th 1091-2:
⏑−⏑−¦−⏑⏑¦−⏑−− Upajāti
Kadā nuhaṁ pabbatakandarāsu,
−−⏑−¦−⏑⏑¦−⏑−− Upajāti
ekākiyo addutiyo vihassaṁ,