am Seshaphani Gadiyaram, retired engineer currently conducting

research on Indian progedy, published a paper " Indian Progedy A

Mathemetical wonder". Iam giving details about my work. Lot of people
commented that Indian progedy is connected to mathemetics particlularly
based on Binomial theorm. I explained in my work how it is based on
binomial theorm, geometrical progression and law of permutations.
Perhaps the reason for such statement may be the Pascal triangle ( Meru
Prastara ), given by pingala. Here are my details of work and if any body
interested can contact me atmkgadiyaram@yahoo.com.
INDIAN PROSODY AND MATHEMATICS


In India prosody is traditionally held high in esteem and honoured with much reverance as
vedanga. For the first time saint pingala composed a precious Text of prosodic science both for vidika
and Loukika chandas. Historians opine that this saint prosodist belongs to the period between the last
quadrant of 5
th
century B.C. and the first quadrant of 4
th
century B.C.


Chando Vichiti composed by pingala contains eighteen parichchedas (Sub-chapters) in
eight Adhyayas (main chapters).Except the six slokas in the first parichcheda entire text is composed
of sutras (Brief verbal expressions). In all Indian Languages different prsodists followed pingalas
foot prints in writing their books.


The first sloka is chandovichithi, goes as
Ma Ya Rasa Ta Ja Bha Na La Ga Sammitam
Bhramati vangamayam Jagatiyasys I
Sajayathi Pingala Nagah
Siva prasada t visudha matih II


With this the author makes an Invocatory beginning by direct introduction of the subject
(Vastu nirdesatmaka mangala chanrana as per definition). Similarly sixth sloka goes as


Tri viramam das varnam shanmatramuacha
pingala sutram I
Chandovarga padarta pratyaya
Hetoschasastaradou II


Wherein the author states that Ma, Ya, Ra, Sa, Ta, Ja, Bha, Na, La, Ga mentioned in the
first sloka is in itself a sutra, containing ten varnas and specifies that the same is kept on the top of all
sutras because it is the basis for chando varga padartas (pertaining to Vedic hymns) and pratyayas.


The author is introducing here in, three technical terms,
1) Viramam 2) Matra 3) Pratyaya


Among the three the last term pratyaya has vast and very remarkable meaning. The wonderful
intelligence and astonishing saintly vision of pingala is totally imbibed in various pratyayas, which
render the art of prosody to assure new dimensions of science.


Pingala proposed six pratyayas namely 1) prastara 2) Nashta labhdhi 3) Uddishta
4) Uritta sankhya 5) Laga kriya 6) Adhwabhaga. In the eight chapter The six pratyayas are briefly
explained in sutaras. Letters analyzed then one by one by using bhatta Hallayudhas commentary
to chando v ichiti the


-2-

To begin with the task of analyzing and illustrating prtyayas, it will be more useful to study
the pratyahara sutras (General Rules) contained in second parichcheda. These sutras have phenomenal
characteristic feature. They are applicable throughout the Text where ever there are no exceptional
rules. When ever an exceptional rule is quoted, Then and there, it will be mentioned about its range
of applicability.

Pratyahara sutras (General rules).

1) Dhee Sree Sthreem 2) VaRaSaY 3) KaGuHar 4) Vasu Dhas 5) Satekwa
t
6) ka Da saj 7) kim va Da bh 8) Na Ha Sa n 9) Gri l 10) Gante
11) Dhradi parah 12) He 13) Lou sah 14) Glou 15) Asta Vasva Iti


The wordIti in the last sutra indicates the ending of first chapter. In the above sutras,
properties of Ma, Ya, Ra, Sa, Ta, JA,Bha, Na, La, Ga are briefly explained: For Eg: Dhee Sree Sthree
m means three long alphabets (Gurus) make Magana. m is called Sangna (sign) for Ma Gana.
Gana is defined as a group of three letters. Let us make a table of sutras from 1 to 8, with sangnas,
Names of Ganas, symbolic forms of Ganas and total number of Matras in each gana.


In preparing this table, The symbols used in Telugu language for Gurus and Laghus are taken
into consideration. In telugu Guru is represented by the symbol (U) and a Laghu is represented by the
symbol (I) This table is very useful in analaysing the pratyayas in detail


Serial Sutra Sangna Name of the Symbolic Number of Matras
No Gana Representation in the Gana

1. Dhee, Sree, m Magana UUU 6
Sthree

2. Va,Ra, Sa y Yagana I UU 5

3. Ka, Gu,Ha, r Ragana UI U 5

4. Va, Su, Dha s Sagana I I U 4

5. Sa, te, Kwa t Tagana UUI 5

6. Ka, Da, Sa j J agana I UI 4

7. Kim, Va, Da bh Bhagana UI I 4

8. Na, Ha ,Sa n Nagana I II 3


In the above table the order of Ganas from Magana (All guru) to Nagana (All Laghu) is the
prastara order for 3
rd
chanda. Pingala mentioned chandas containing 1 to 26 letters in each pada. There
appear some chandas with even more number of letters in each pada. Such chandas are called by
prosodists as Uddhura Mala chandas. Though the order of Ganas in the table is

-3-

prastarakrama of 3
rd
Chanda, as it is contained in Pratyahara Sutras It applies to any chanda. Now
let us analyse pratyayas one by one and see how they are based stubbornly on mathematical
foundation.

1. Prastara Pratyaya: Pingala explains in this way 1) Eight prastars are formed in 3
rd
chanda. 2)
First half of the prastaras end with Guru and second half with laghu 3) from the beginning to the end
each two ganas in succession are in descending order in matra pramana (number of matras) and the
second starts with Laghu for Egg: set of first two ganas are 1) Ma(UUU 6) 2) Ya(IUU 5). The
number beside the symbols is the matras contained in them. Hence they are in descending order and
the second Gana, [Ya (IUU)] starts with Laghu. In this way Ra, Sa, Ta, Ja, Bha, Na are formed
making total prastaras as eight The following should be noted.

(1) This order from All Guru Gana to Laghu Gana is defined by the prosodie scientist. It
should be followed in to to without any deviation or exemption. This order is prastara karama (order)
for 3
rd
chanda.

(2) Prastara pratyaya is the basis for all other pratyayas. Where ever prastara Sankhya (number
of prastara) is mentioned it should be taken from the order formed by prastara pratyaya.

(3) Odd and even prastaras are named so, based on the order formed by prastara pratyaya


Now let us examine how the prastara pratyaya is based on mathematics. In mathematics a
permutations (prastara) is defined in this way. From a set of n different articles, if rarticles are
choosen by taking each article for one time then each of such arrangement is called a permutation
Total Number of such permutations is represent by
p = n! = n
Factorial = 1x2x3xn (n-r)! (n-r)
factorial 1x2x3x (n-r)
If each article is taken any number of times the total number of such permutations is n
r

In prosody there exist a set of only two different letters called 1) Guru 2) Laghu, Here n=
(U+1) = 2. By choosing r letters taking Gurus and Laghus any number of times, total number of
such permutations = 2
r
, Here r denotes the number of chanda. In 3
rd
chanda no. of permutations
(prastaras) = 2
3
= 8. The total coincides with the number given by pingala.
To decide the order of these 8 permutations we have to apply Binomial Theorem (U+1)
=2 is a Binomial function. As per Binomial Theorem
(U+I)
r
= U
r
+ C
1
U
r-1
I+ C
2

U
r-2
I
2
+ + I
r

Similarly
(U+I)
3
= U
3
+ 3U
2
I +3U
2
I + I
3
but 3U
2
I and 3UI
2
terms can be written in
number of ways. Here pingala defines an order Ma, Ya, Ra, Sa, Ta, Ja, Bha, Na which has to
be followed strictly. Hence

-4-
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

(U+1)
3
= UUU + IUU + UIU + IIU + UUI + IUI + UII + III
Ma Ya Ra Sa Ta Ja Bha Na

Neverthless of the order of Terms Binomial Theorem holds good for Prastara
krama. As such prastara pratyaya is based completely on mathematics.

2. Nashta Labdhi pratya : If number of chanda and number of prastara are known the
order of Gurus and Laghus can be known by applying this pratyaya. Pingala says 1) If the
number of Prastara is odd, add one to it and divide it by 2 and write Guru (U) 2) If the
number of prastara is even simply divide it by 2 and write Laghu(1) 3) Continue division by 2
as many times as number of chanda. For Eg: 5
th
prastara, in 3
rd
chanda can be known as
below











1. Prastara 5 is Odd No: One is added and divided by two: U is Written
2. Quotient 3 is Odd No: One is added and divided by two: U is Written
3. Quotient 2 is Even No: Divided by two: I is Written
divided by three times by two because numbers of chanda is three.
there fore 5
th
prastara in 3
rd
chanda is UUI (Tagana)


Let us examine how this pratyaya is based on mathematics. In r
th
chanda No.of prastaras= 2
r


Each prastara is = 2
r
_
2
r

1 2 5+1 - U
2 2 3+1 - U
3 2 2 - I
1
Applying this rule to to first chanda No.of prastaras = 2
Each prastara in first chnada = 2_
2
As per the prastara pratyaya prastaras in first chanda 1) Guru(U) 2) Laghu(I).
As each prastara = 2_
2
odd prastara 1=2 = 1+1 = (odd Number+1) and this is guru (U)
2 2 2

-5-
Even prastara 2=2 = (even number) and this is laghu (I)
2 2

There is nothing against ,mathematics in the above illustration for first chanda. Similarly in
2
nd
chanda number of prastaras =2. Each prastara = 2_
2

In second chanda, as per prastara pratyaya the prastaras are
1) UU 2) IU 3) UI 4) II. Each prastara contains two letters.

First letter in odd prastara 3 = 3+1 -U Quotient is 2 is an even number
2
Second Letter in odd prasatra 3= 2_ = even quotient -1 - 1
2 2

3
rd
prastara in second chanda is UI. Similarly for obtaining 4
th
prastara we have to divide the prastara
number 2 times by 2 First letter in 4
th
prastara = 4_ - 1 Quotient is an even number 2.
2
therefore Second letter in 4
th
prastara= 2_ -1 even quotient . 4
th
prastara in second chanda is 11
2 2

In the above illustration the prastara number is divided by 2 twice because the prastara is from
second chanda. We find in the above analysis for second chanda nothing objectionable to
mathematics. Similarly it can be proved for any chanda. By Mathematical Induction.
Hence nashta labdhi pratyaya is based on mathematics and only assumption made in as per
pingalas definition of the order of prataras in prastara pratyaya.

3.Uddishta Pratyaya: If order of Gurus and Laghus in a prastara is known the prastara sankhya and
the number of chanda in which it is formed can be known by applying this pratyaya. Halayudha says
1) Write the gurus and laghus in order in the prastara
2) Write numbers in the order 1,2,4,8, etc below the letters
3) Count the total of numbers under laghus. Then by adding one to this total the prastara sankhya can
be known.

Let us examine how this pratyayas is based on mathematics. Let us prepare a table consisting
no.of chanda, number of last prastara, laghus in last prastara, numbers under letters in last prastara and
their total;

1. No.of Chanda 1 2 3 4
2. No.of Last Prastara 2 4 8 16
3. Laghus in Last Prastara 1 11 111 1111
4. Number under Letters 1 12 124 1248
5. Total of numbers 1 1+2=3 1+2+4=7 1+2+4+8=15

If in 4
th
prastara 11, number is x under second letter Total of numbers under laghus =1+x
1x
last in 2
nd
chanda is 4
th
prastara in any chanda first prastara contains all Gurus. As such total of
prastaras having laghus +1 (all guru) = prastara sankhya. In this case (1+x) +1 = 4, 2+x =4 , x=2.
similarly 111is last prastara of 3
rd
chanda number under 3
rd
letter be x. Then the total 04 numbers
12x

-6-
under laghus =1+2+x =3+x. In the third chanda 8
th
is the last prastara. Now adding one (All guru
prastara) to (3+x) prastara sankhya = 3+x+1 = 4+x
therefore 4+x =8, x=4, This how we obtain the progression 1,2,4, etc.

The series of numbers 1,2,4,8.. are said to be in Geometrical progression . I is first term
and 2 = 4 =2 is common ratio. Total of such n numbers = 2-1 = 2-1. In 3
rd
chanda last
1 2 2-1
prastara will have 3 laghus, under which numbers are written in Geometricla progression 1,2,4. Total
of 3 numbers in this geometrical progression = 2
8
-1 = 8-1 =7. 8 is total number of prastras in
3
rd
chanda and the one we subtract from 8 is sarva guru prastara. As such This pratyaya is based on
mathematical background with presumption of prastara krama defined by pingala.

4. Vritta Sankhya Pratyaya: By applying this pratyaya no.of Vrittas in any chanda can be
commited. Pingala says 1) In third chanda 8 prastaras formed 2) half of them end with Guru.

By pratyahara sutra(10) Gante it implies that pada (1/4 Vritta) of any Vritta ends with Guru.
As such half of prastaras in any chanda are vrittas.

No.of Chanda 1 2 3 4
Prastara Sankhya 2 4 8 16
Uritta Sankhya 2/2=1 4/2=2 8/2=4 16/2=8

Thus the pratyaya is mathematical.

5) Laga kriya pratyaya:
a) Ardha Meru chakra for 3
rd
Chanda I Chanda
Nirmana
II Chanda


III Chanda
1) Write two houses in Horizontal row.
Write 1 and 1 in them.
2) Write 3 houses in second horizontal row.
Write 1 and 1 in the first and last houses. Write
2 in the middle house.
3) Write 4 houses in 3
rd
horizontal row. Write (2) 3, in second house is the total
1and 1 in the first and last houses.write of the numbers in the house about it
3 and 3 in 2
nd
and 3
rd
houses 1+2=3 this is two guru prastara number
(3) 3 in the 3
rd
house is the total
UDDHARA: of numbers in the houses about it
1. In first house is all Guru prastara number =2+1= 3.this is single Guru prastara
number
(4)One in last house is all Laghu prastara
Number
This is based on Binomial coefficients in the expansion
(U+1)
3
= U
3
+ 3U
2
I + 3UI
2
+ 1
3
total= 1+3+3+1 =8

1

1


1

2

1


1

3

3

1
1 3 3 1
This chakra is popularly called as pascal triangle in the name of the mathematician, pascal
belonging to 17
th
century A.D. But the same is framed during the 4
th
Century B.C. by pingala,
belonging 4
th
century B.C. Though Halayudha mentioned this, seeds of it are in prastara pratyaya.
(Halayudha belongs to 17
th
Century A.D)
-7-




b)Poornameru chakram: For 3
rd
Chanda
Nirmana:
1) Write 4 houses in vertical row.
2) Write in them 1,2,4 & 8
3) Add two more houses in a horizontal row starting
with the house having 2.write in 2
nd
house 2+2-1=3 and in 3
rd
house 2x2 -1=3
4) Similarly add two more houses in addition to that having 4. Write in 2
nd
house 4x2-1=7 and in
3
rd
house 3x2 =6. 3 is from 2
nd
horizontal row (AS 2 X 7 1 = 13 does not exist in 3
rd
chanda)


UDDHARA: 1 All Laghu prastaras
2, 3, 5 two guru prastaras
4, 7, 6 Single Guru Prastaras
8 All Laghu prastara
This This chakram is constructed directly by binomial expansion
1 2 3 5 4 6 7 8
(U+1) = UUU + IUU + UIU + UUI + IIU + IUI + UII +III so laga kriya pratya is entirely based
on mathematical background.

6.Adhva Bhaga pratyaya: This pratyaya helps to find the area required for writing prastara krama for
any chanda. Pingala says 1) Deduct one from prastara sankhya and take it as length 2) Deduct one
from number of chanda and take it as breadth 3) Area = length x breadth.
But pingala did not define the space taken to write one guru and one laghu. As such it is not
possible to examine the correctness of this pratyaya by geometry or other methods of mathematics.

By the above analysis it can easily be concluded that Indian prosody in closely linked
with the science of mathematics. To put short prosody is a mould, which gives a beautiful
shape to a poetic expression. Prior to pingala, The poets of saintly vision Valmiki and Vyasa
noticed the essence of prosody in their study of Vedas in routine and enriched their poesy by
applying it. This is how they composed maanumopeses like Ramayana and Mahabharatha
long before the dawn of civilisation in westren lands. As such only the Indian prosody has
phenomenal role in linking the art of poetry with mathematics, the language of physical
sciences. Hail Pingala, the sainet prosodistl and Glory be to India, the ancient land of Vedas!!


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