Discussion Draft

Basics of Veda Swaras

and Vedic Recital-1

Version 0.0 January 24, 2016

 2

Contents
1 Veda Swaras ................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Swaras: .................................................................................................... 4

1.1.1 UdAtta (ES) ...................................................................................... 4

1.1.2 AnudAtta (AlS) ............................................................................... 4

1.1.3 Swarita (xuU:) .................................................................................. 4

1.1.4 Dheergha Swarita: (Sb xuUi) ........................................................... 5

1.1.5 Example of Swarams: ....................................................................... 5

1.1.6 Prachaya: (mcr) ................................................................................. 6

1.2 Notes from Sage Paaninis work ........................................................... 6

1.3 Valid combinations of Swaras ............................................................... 7
1.4 Marking Conventions ............................................................................. 8
1.4.1 Swarams of Single Akshara/Letter: ................................................. 8
1.4.2 Swarams of Joint Letters.................................................................. 9
1.5 The Separator | and || ....................................................................... 11
2 Rules for Anuswara ................................................................................... 14
2.1 Basics .................................................................................................... 14
2.2 Reading the Veda books/texts ............................................................. 14
3 Anunaasikam ............................................................................................. 18
4 Rules for gm and gg .............................................................................. 20

4.1 Rules for gm() ..................................................................................... 20

vedavms@gmail.com Page 2 of 32
 3

4.2 Rules for gg ( ) ................................................................................... 26

4.3 Swaram rules or acquisition by gm and gg ........................................ 28

4.4 Rendering of gm and gg from Other Veda Schools ....................... 30

vedavms@gmail.com Page 3 of 32
 4

1 Veda Swaras
1.1 Swaras:
This document articulates the subject of Veda Swaras and basic conventions applicable to
Krishna Yajur Veda only. Vedic Swaras have been the base of Classical Indian Music and
have said to have emanated from Sama Veda which has seven swaras. (Sapta swaras).
Yajur Veda has basically three main swaras and one supplement/variant Swara.
Let us see the basic Swaras in Yajur Veda.

1.1.1 UdAtta (ES)

This Swara is rendered in the normal pitch note in ones voice. For practical purposes,
we refer this as the medium note (or normal) since that letter is rendered normally without
any raise or lowering of the (basic) pitch.
A UdAtta akshara is left unmarked and normally printed.
That is there is no Swaram marking for this note.

1.1.2 AnudAtta (AlS)

This Swara is rendered in the lower note compared to UdAtta.

The letters/aksharas are marked with (an underline symbol) below it.

1.1.3 Swarita (xuU:)

This Swara is rendered in the upper note compared to UdAtta.

The letters are marked with (an upper stroke above the letter).

vedavms@gmail.com Page 4 of 32
 5

1.1.4 Dheergha Swarita: (Sb xuUi)

This swara is rendered in the upper note like Swarita for twice the time (Maatra) scale
applicable to the letter for which it is marked. The Dheergha Swarita is marked as
above the letter. This is an extension of Swarita only through elongation of time of rendering.

1.1.5 Example of Swarams:

A | ahlliu ahmi WuqW Mu Mul-qmq-uxiq |

| 3 3

-- |

HxI | MYxdxx MYeZy tpxit KpyI

Kpzdx-ieiq-psiI |

a, a, M, u, m - are all AnudAttas(lower notes)

3, 3, , , - are all AnudAttas(lower notes)

M, M, K, pz, e - are all AnudAttas (lower notes)

m, M, q, are all swaritas(upper note)

, , , - are all swaritas (upper note)

vedavms@gmail.com Page 5 of 32
 6

e, K, i, q - are all swaritas (upper note)

l, , dx - is dheergha swaritam (elongated upper note)

Rest all unmarked aksharas/letters are udAttas (medium or normal notes).

1.1.6 Prachaya: (mcr)

In specific instances the swara of the previous letter is carried till the next occurring anudAta or
till the end of that pada or mantra, that is Prachaya. Prachaya is considered as a form of
Swaram by some schools. Some schools take it as a rule of how Swaram is acquired
by letters in some instances. Many do not consider Prachaya as a Swaram.
This shall be covered through a specific note after obtaining inputs from Seniors/Scholars.

1.2 Notes from Sage Paaninis work

As per Sage Paaninis rules/sutras as quoted by books/scholars (also available on Internet)

1. UdAtta, AnudAtta and Svarita are 3 kinds of Swaraas.

2. Hrasva, Deergha and Pluta are three kinds of Kaalaas.(time durations for recital)
3. UdAtta be rendered in - niSAda gAndhAra,
AnudAtta be rendered in RiShabha, Dhaivata and
Swarita to be rendered in Sadja, Madhyama and Panchama.

UdAtta, AnudAtta and Swarita are the three basic Swaras. Dheergha Swarita is an extension
of Swarita. Therefore, Scholars say that there are only three basic Swarams in Yajur Veda.

Hrasva (short letters), Deergha (long letters) and Pluta (letters with three or more maatra) are
the three kinds of Kaalaa (time duration for letters). Pluta is not relevant in normal Sanskrit
texts, but is used in Veda recital since Maatra is the base for recital.

UdAtta is rendered in the swaram of Nishada (Swaram Ni in Music) or

Gandhara (Swaram ga in Music.)

AnudAtta is rendered in the swaram note of Dhaivata (Swaram da in Music) or

Rishaba (Swaram Ri or Re in Music).

Swarita is rendered in the swaram note Sadja (Swaram sa in Music),

Madhyama ((Swaram Ma in Music), or Panchama (Swaram Pa in Music).

vedavms@gmail.com Page 6 of 32
 7

If a beginner relates the Vedic swaras to the Musical Notes, it becomes easy to learn
and avoid early mistakes.

Let us put it simply; we normally render Krisha Yajur Veda in the musical note
Ri, Ga and Ma (or Pa) that corresponds to UdAtta, AnudAtta and Swarita in normal
course. When we open our mouth and speak normally the sound emanates or vibrates in a
pitch that is equal to Gandhara .(the swaram Ga in music).

It would take a good practice to render the recital of Veda with da,ni sa at the higher pitch
of ones voice. Please listen to some renderings on the Internet where high pitch is used for
the Veda recital; this is where da,ni sa equivalent notes are used for UdAtta, AnudAtta and
Swarita. (as per Sage Paaninis rule)

Lets us ponder what a great system they have evolved to recite Vedas.
We should pray and thank all the great sages!! Please also note that during Vedic
recital/functions, we also touch our head during nyasam to remember (being thankful)
the Rishi (who gave or compiled the mantra) by uttering their name for the respective
Mantras, Prasna, Slokas etc.

1.3 Valid combinations of Swaras

In Krishna Yajur Veda, the letters/aksharas with different Swaras follow one another.
But there are some rules. This following table may help a beginner to understand the
combination of Swaras in two successive letters:

When the current The next letter can have the following Swaras.
letter is or has
(see below)
AnudAtta UdAtta Swarita Dheerga
Swarita
AnudAtta (lower Yes (no Yes. Variation Yes. Variation Yes. Variation
note) variation of
Swara)
UdAtta (medium Yes. Variation Yes (no variation Yes. Variation Yes. Variation
Note) of Swara)

vedavms@gmail.com Page 7 of 32
 8

Swarita (high Yes. Variation Yes. Variation No No

note)
Dheerga Swarita Yes. Variation Yes. Variation No No
Out of the sixteen possible combinations of Swaras, four combinations does not occur as a
rule. That is a Swaritam will never be followed by another Swaritam or Deerga Swaritham
and in the same way, a Deerga Swaritam will never be followed by another Deerga
Swaritham or Swaritam.

Now out of the remaining 12, two combinations, AnudAtta followed by another AnudAtta
and UdAtta followed by another UdAtta are not really variations of Swaras.
Leaving these two, there are 10 different combinations of Swaras between successive
letters/aksharas. This can be considered like the concept of Dasavita gamagas in Music.

1.4 Marking Conventions

When Swaras are marked in books, the swaram marks are placed as follows:
1. When it is single akshara, the swara sign is marked above or below that letter directly
whether it is Swarita, AnudAtta or Dheerga Swarita.
2. When it is a Conjuct or joint letters, the Swarm is marked below or above the second
part/last part of that Conjunct.

This convention has a clear logic based on how the swaram is rendered which is explained
below:

1.4.1 Swarams of Single Akshara/Letter:

While rendering Veda, each letter must be clearly uttered along with the Swara and
with the Maatra scale for the same. When a single akshara is marked with the a swaram like

a, M, u, 3, , , M, K, pz

vedavms@gmail.com Page 8 of 32
 9

We increase our pitch to match the Swaritam or reduce our pitch to match a AnudAtta and
this change does not happen instantly , but happens progressively and felt very clearly
only at the time of completion.
The effect of the AnudAtta is given when we come to the end of the letter. If it is a Dheerga
letter, the effect is towards the end of the letter. In the aforesaid example, the lower note
of Vee is chanted in the second part of vee (ie in E).

In Dheerga Swaritam, like l, , dx, the effect of Dheerga swaritam is more clear
when we utter the aa in the na.

Au uU | Au iU | rS pi r pur |
| |
34 4 |

Ap pxkI | Ap qxZxkI | jbhZI j hpI |

When an Anuswaram has Dheerga Swaritam, the effect of the dheerga swaritam is felt more
towards the uttering of the M in the Anuswaram.

Note: In Sanskrit, Anuswaram has a dot and the swaram marking appears on top of that letter.
In Tamil and Malayalam the letter is represented as two and the marking may appear above
the letter before M. The reader should remember the M is the integral part of the Anuswara
aksharam. Please note that in Malayalam, it may be represented differently if old lipi or font is
followed.

1.4.2 Swarams of Joint Letters

When we raise our pitch to swarita, it becomes more pronounced in the second part only.

While reciting the , , q, we feel the effect of the swarita only while completing
the ra. We cannot recite/utter Sra together in swarita without stress.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 9 of 32
 10

Similarly while reciting the word, sya, xr in AnudAtta, we start our descend of pitch after

x,(x s) and is achieved fully only when uttering the r (ya). We cannot fully render the sya
as a whole in lower swaram smoothly or without break.

This is the reason for marking the second part of the letter with swaram in books.
The thumb rule is that the swaram should be chanted only at the end of a compound letter
where a full letter is represented.

When we continuously render a full word in lower note (AnudAtta), It appears as if the effect of
the lower note takes effects from the first part of a letter and extends till the last AnudAtta
e.g.

mumlr qiru | AirzlSi-ml Eai

muql-xxuxirrl ||, xzllzl Ap |

3-3 3 ;

: || 4 ||

epexdxj iZp |

AZxqdxbZz-exdxb DMxZ ;

expixdz ssjdzJ || sxqdxdqd Ahy |

vedavms@gmail.com Page 10 of 32
 11

In these lines, the (long) Dheerga letters and joint letters with AnudAtta which follow another
AnudAtta will have complete effect being recited in the lower swaram.

Note: A beginner to Veda, while reading in Tamil tends to look at as

+, if it is rendered as +, there is a break effect; the descend of swaram

to , will be abrupt and rendering is not smooth. is + (a conjuct or

joint letter). After is uttered, we start to descend in the letter , then the effect

of rendering becomes correct . The students shall initially observe the Guru as to how the joint
letters are rendered with swaram.

1.5 The Separator | and ||

A statement is marked with a separator | in books indicating the end of a statement.

(paadam or leg). While reciting, a pause must be given before the start of the next statement.
(2nd paadam or leg ).

When the Chandas ends, it is marked as || (double vertical line) at the end of the statement.
(last paadam of the Chandas) .The Concept of Chandas is statement with predefined number
of Letters / aksharas with well defined grammer rules. (Example: Gaayatri Chandas,
Anushtup Chandas etc) . Examples of Chandas shall be provided in a separate article.
A statement with a set of words ending with a separator is called a Ruk in Veda.

Note: The last aksharam/letter of a statement ending with either of the separators (Ruk)
cannot have a lower swaram, ie AnudAttam.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 11 of 32
 12

i iu pa xu CWuq xl pa mU Li puW ||
43 43
4 ||

ZI Zx hM sp Cxtpziy sdx hM ek
GZx hpt ||
This is from Bhaagya Suktam as rendered together. But when it is rendered in a split form, as
in Udaga Shanti, the original statement first part will be as follows with no AnudAtta for mi.
The letter mi has infact acquired AnudAtta due to combining two statements.

i iu pa xu CWuq | xl pa mU Li puW ||
43 |
43 4 ||

ZI Zx hM sp Cxtpziy |
sdx hM ek GZx hpt ||

A p| iixuiuUhr | A pu |
A p | iixuiuUhr pa Suxr kqW |
: - |
4 2
: - |
4 2 4 3 3 3

vedavms@gmail.com Page 12 of 32
 13

HxI hJ - ZpyZpkYI |
HxI hJ - ZpyZpkYI hMx bps czity |

The first statement does not have a lower swaram since vareyNyam the yam is the last
aksharam of a Ruk and does not acquire any swaram.
The second statement vareyNyam is combined and the yam acquires swaram.

The Start of a Ruk, the first akshara of the word/padam cannot be a Dheerga Swarita.
The only exception we see is with the letter OM.
e.g.

A iSo | A ir | A iSiq | A ijxir |

| : | |
3 3 3 3

|
2

HxI Zbgx | HxI ZbxjJ | HxI Zbxx | HxI ZasZI |

vedavms@gmail.com Page 13 of 32
 14

2 Rules for Anuswara

2.1 Basics

The letters which are derived from base vowel Anuswara, am (A) are all called Anuswaras.

Example, kam,tam,ram,sam,Sham, yam. M, i , U, x, z, r,

Dheerga letters with dot are also anuswara letters only.

M + A = M, z+ A = z

In Sanskrit , zMU , will be read as zqMU and not as zU . the X will follow if the

first letter is from ka vargam. That is aa will be read as a and not as aqa !

2.2 Reading the Veda books/texts

In Veda text reading, the convention followed in books is different.

The fifth letter of the ka,cha,ta,Ta,pa varga , that is X, g , h , l, q (Wsli)

will follow the letter with Anuswaram of the respective varga.

zMU will be read as zU, aa will be read as a. (Ka varga M, a follow Anuswara)

This rule will be extended while combining the end of Anuswara at the end of the first word
with the first letter of the following word.
Note: Readers must note the convention followed in the book. Many popular books printed for
Veda Students print the vakyam/samhita as it is to be read. So these rules are already
applied to the text while compiling the book. Some print with Anuswaram only.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 14 of 32
 15

Let us see examples

As written in the book To be read as Rule applied

WuUx eWil WuUxgeWil Use of g for ca

vargam

Suh c q Suhgc q Use of g for ca

vargam

l SuqlSr llSuqlSr Use of l for ta

vargam

Sul Sul
Anuswaram rendered as it is
no change since the following
letter is of pa vargam where

miUblrl miUblrl
m needs to be used.

zi zUSl-lui zi zUSl-llui Use of l for ta

vargam asl is a part of

ta vargam only.

Use of for

| |
vargam

vedavms@gmail.com Page 15 of 32
 16

3 3 Use of for

vargam

3- 3- Use of for

3 | 3 |
vargam

2 2
Anuswaram rendered as it is
no change since the following

3 3
letter is of vargam where

m needs to be used.
4 | 4

3 3 Use of for

vargam as is a part of

vargam only.

tpykxsI tpykxsT Use of T for P

RtxZd | RtxZd | vargam

vedavms@gmail.com Page 16 of 32
 17

dZI dZd Use of d for Z

bpiyyjI |
bpiyyjI | vargam

bpyYI P i, bpyYT P i, Use of T for P

vargam

qrx bpxdxI qrx bpxdxI

Anuswaram rendered as it is
no change since the following

eZykNyjxdxI | e vargam where

eZykNyjxdxI |
letter is of

m needs to be used.

qZ qxkbxdxI qZ qxkbxdxd Use of d for Z

dypxZ dypxZ vargam as d is a part of

Z vargam only.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 17 of 32
 18

3 Anunaasikam
When the Anuswaram is followed by the Semi-vowel group letters, ya,la,va,
the m of the Anuswaram is recited with the respective sounds of yya,vva,lla with a nasal
twang. Basically when we saym of the anuswaram, the lips close and our sages have given
us the techniques/rules to pronounce the instances with necessary changes to make the recital

smoother. Anunaasikam is marked with the sign ; some books print the same without the
small horizontal line shown above. This is marked before the letters starting with ya.la.va

group. Sometimes the nasal sound along with l,y,v (Wsli) is also marked to catch the
attention of the reader.

As written in the book To be read as

Aal r apSkU Aalrr apSkU

ESq uh ESquuh

ll sM llssM

3 3

334 334

3 3

vedavms@gmail.com Page 18 of 32
 19

AyIjx MhI Ayjjx

bcyk MhI bcyk

DbiI pkY DbippkY

exq
exq

ddI mxK dd mxK

mxK mxK

Note: Some books print the vakyam with words as it is to be read without anunaasikam
symbol.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 19 of 32
 20

4 Rules for gm and gg

4.1 Rules for gm()

The rules for gm and gg are applicable only in Yajur Veda.

When an Anuswaram is followed by the letters in the Group of ra,sa.Sa,Sha,ha, and Vowels,
the M in the Anuswaram is converted to (gM) .

(gM) is a + q = (a) or represented as ( aq) in letters.

The standard representation in printed books is .

Some books print it without the tail like .

This sound emanates from the back of the mouth with a light nasal effect.

Please do not read it as gum ; some Tamil books represent this in words as
which is not correct.

In slokas is not used.

During Sankalpam, the words are used with Anuswaram only as it is not a part of Vedic text,

however some Acharyas/Pandits may use which is acceptable .

iuUW Msm uuxui qluliU Auzi iq

qZpkxtKm ppsZ idk ArxpyIqZy Zi

vedavms@gmail.com Page 20 of 32
 21

Let us see some common examples:

Original words/padams As represented in Veda Rule

books/Vakhyam

ahlliu ahmi ahlliu ahmi Anuswaram before W

WuqW WuqW

xu Aal UnxwS xu Aal Anuswaram before vowel A

UnxwS and U

U xm qkSM U xm qkSM Anuswaram before x

Ue uqu Cp l | Ue uqu Cp l | Anuswaram before vowel C

zq uUei zq uUei Anuswaram before z

rq xql Axi | rq xql Axi Anuswaram before x

uzsr ohu Ei | uzsr ohu Ei Anuswaram before vowel E

vedavms@gmail.com Page 21 of 32
 22

i lUxW i lUxW Anuswaram before x

mcSri mcSri

q Wx mw eai q Wx* Anuswaram before x

mw eai
*Very commonly found
word.

3 3 Anuswaram before

3 3

3 3
Anuswaram before

vowel &
3 3

Anuswaram before

43 | 43 |

vedavms@gmail.com Page 22 of 32
 23

Anuswaram before

vowel
4 | 4 |

34 34 Anuswaram before

Anuswaram before

Anuswaram before

vowel
3 | 3 |

Anuswaram before

: :

3 3

vedavms@gmail.com Page 23 of 32
 24

: :* Anuswaram before

3 | 3 |
*Very commonly found
word.

HxI | MYxdxx HxI | MYxdxx Anuswaram before t

MYeZyI MYeZy
tpxit tpxit

spxI AzI spx Az Anuswaram before vowel

A and k
kfrbx kfrbx

zkI sey zk sey

Anuswaram before s
icbKI | icbKI |

kxR pxipxI kxR pxipx

Anuswaram before

vowel C
Chd Chd

vedavms@gmail.com Page 24 of 32
 25

ZyIqxi Zyqxi Anuswaram before q

pykxRZy pykxRZy

jiI sidx ji sidx

Anuswaram before s
AsZ AsZ

pyqmx gxY pyqmx gxY

Anuswaram before vowel D
pxI DZ | px DZ |

Zx Zx Anuswaram before t
dxksyItJ dxksytJ
ePxbjxZ ePxbjxZ

ix tyIszJ ix tyszJ* Anuswaram before s

ekrI RMZ |
*Very commonly found
ekrI RMZ | word.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 25 of 32
 26

4.2 Rules for gg ( )

The basic rule for application of gg is same as in gm except that the following letter is
Samyukta akshara conjuncts (joint letters) like sra,shra,hla,sya, swa. In a joint letter, the
start is a base letter like s,y,sh, after completing m sounding (gm), it would be difficult to
combine them. So (gg) is a unique sound to smoothen the flow of the rule applied for (gm).

(gg) is a + a= (aa). Printed in the books as , with or without the tail.

Some books follow the convention of having a single shape like , where the stress on
(gg) is light.

Original words/padams As represented in Veda Rule

books/Vakhyam

imwral emia imwral emia

Anuswaram before joint

letter starting with w

Amzzxrl puli Amzzxrl puli

Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with x

qiU r qiU r
Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with z

mWiqlS xuxi mWiqlS xuxi

Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with x

vedavms@gmail.com Page 26 of 32
 27

3 3
Anuswaram before a

joint letter starting with

- Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with

Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with

- -3
Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with

3

ZeIr
Anuswaram before a joint
Zer
letter starting with r
Rtx Rtx

BeqI sxdx Beq sxdx

Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with s

hp hp

vedavms@gmail.com Page 27 of 32
 28

ixZkI qyjI ixZk qyjI

Anuswaram before a joint

letter starting with q

ektZiyI
Anuswaram before a joint
ektZiy
letter starting with s
ssy ssy

4.3 Swaram rules or acquisition by gm and gg

The following rules apply for the swaram for gm and gg
1. There is no Dheerga Swaritam for gm and gg
2. If an Anuswaram is marked with Swaritam, the Swaritam will be taken over by the gm or
gg; the first letter preceding gm or gg cannot be a Swaritam.

Examples:

mWiqlS xuxi shall become mWiqlS xuxi

-3 shall become

-3

vedavms@gmail.com Page 28 of 32
 29

ektZiyI ssy shall become

ektZiy ssy

3. If the Anuswaram is marked with AnudAtta, both the letters (base letter plus m which
becomes gm or gg) shall follow the AnudAtta Swara only. That is if the previous letter
is an AnudAtta, the gm and gg will acquire the same, since it is an extension.

Examples:

uqu Cp l ,

zrl akh xuki ull xq

lq u MUMpr Sul Srpr

4 ,

34 4

: 4 3 34

vedavms@gmail.com Page 29 of 32
 30

pxipx Ch d.

qdx McxYx scyZy pdxdx sxiJ

dix pJ KykyKhx bpxdx tbjhx

Note: Some Readers may get a doubt why it is not Devanaa(gg) Hrudayebhyo.
Specially highlighted in Green. Hru is a Swarayukta Akshara a combination of
H + Ru (a vowel) and it is not a Samyukta Akshara (conjuct Consonant)
Hru is not a conjuct formed by more than two consonants.

W + G (vowel) = ; + = ; +E= t ;

4.4 Rendering of gm and gg from Other Veda Schools

The Vakyam from other Vedas like RuK, Sama and Atharva have been incorporated or
compiled into Yajur Veda Samhita. In these cases, gm and gg are used as a part of Yajur
Vedic style of rendering of these mantras. Let us see Sree Suktam as an example which
follows Rig Veda Style of rendering, which has no gm or gg

WUhruh WUh xuh Ueixe |

clS WUhqr sq eiuS q AuW ||

vedavms@gmail.com Page 30 of 32
 31

alkU SUkw lirm MUwh |

DU (or DU) xu pil iqWmr r ||

- |
3 3
||
343 34
| () 4
||
tykYpYxI tkyYzI spY kRZsRxI |
PxI tykjzI mizI RxZpbx i Bpt ||
MbxkxI bkxcrxI dyZerxI KkzryYzI |

CqkzI (or Cqkz) sphZxdxI

Zxiytxetj qyjI || 9

There is no gm used in Rig Veda after the varnaam, Chandraam (anuswaram)

which are followed by ha. However, the mantra Gandhadwaaraam
duraadharshaam is available in Narayana Upanishad in Yajur Veda text.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 31 of 32
 32

Therefore it has become a common practice to render this mantra with gm by

Yajur Veda students and gm is used in many books.

Note: The grammar and/or recital rules pertaining to Visargam and Sandhi
(combination of letters) shall be provided in separate articles.

vedavms@gmail.com Page 32 of 32