SANSKRIT - TAMIL
Techniques of Vedic recitation
SRI RUDRA-CAMAKAPRASNA GHANA PATA: Brahmasri V.G. Subrahmanya Ghanapati — Editor; Pub. by A. Subbaraman, 9, V Cross Street, CIT Colony, Chennai-600004. Price not stated.
THE VEDAS were transmitted through oral tradition in the Guru-Sishya order, long before writing was invented. To preserve the accuracy of accent and pronunciation, the ancient seers resorted to a phonetic scheme. The Vedic mantras are known as Samhitas which are basic texts. After learning them, the students are exposed to various techniques of preserving their structure. The splitting of words (Pada-pata) is followed by stringing of words (Krama and Jata). The Ghana-Pata is the most difficult. There existed many methods of split-recitation but only the above four are in practice.
The Ghana-Pata is being recited in four ways by grouping 2, 13, 16 and 18 words. Only through correct accenting, words like `Ajaa' and `Uttaraa' are decided whether they have a feminine or "visarga" ending. The above techniques provided a base for a new science — comparative philology.
Sri Rudram also known as "Satarudriyam" and "Namakam" (on account of the repeated use of the term "Namah") is always followed by Camakam for deriving divine grace.
To help the informed learners, Subrahmanya Ghanapati has edited the Ghana-Pata text of the above two popular Mantras, with notation and in bold print. Though it is a paperback edition, it is of great value.
A. THIRUVENGADATHAN
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