Question

Which 'Gana' (metrical foot) consists of three gurus (long syllables)?

• A. Raganah
• B. Jaganah
• C. Bhaganah
• D. Maganah

Hint:

Use the mnemonic "Ma-Ta-Ra" from the formula. Since Ma, Ta, and Ra are all long vowels in the mnemonic, 'Maganah' represents three Gurus (SSS).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In Sanskrit prosody ('Chhandas-shastra'), the rhythm of a verse is determined by the arrangement of syllables into 'Ganas'. A Gana is a metrical foot consisting of exactly three syllables. Each syllable is classified as either 'Laghu' (short, represented by 'I') or 'Guru' (long, represented by 'S'). There are eight primary Ganas, and identifying them is essential for scanning Sanskrit meters like Anushtup, Vasantatilaka, or Shardulavikridita.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The entire system of Ganas is based on a famous mnemonic formula:
"ya-m\bar{a-t\bar{a}-r\bar{a}-ja-bh\bar{a}-na-sa-la-gaṃ"}

To find the structure of any Gana, we start at its letter and take the next three syllables. In Sanskrit, syllables with long vowels (\bar{a}, \bar{i}, \bar{u}, e, ai, o, au) or those followed by a conjunct consonant are 'Guru' (S). Short vowels (a, i, u, \d{r}) are 'Laghu' (I).

Let's analyze the eight Ganas:
1. Yaganah (ya-m\bar{a}-t\bar{a}): I S S (One short, two long)
2. Maganah (m\bar{a}-t\bar{a}-r\bar{a}): S S S (Three consecutive long syllables)
3. Taganah (t\bar{a}-r\bar{a}-ja): S S I (Two long, one short)
4. Raganah (r\bar{a}-ja-bh\bar{a}): S I S (Long, short, long)
5. Jaganah (ja-bh\bar{a}-na): I S I (Short, long, short)
6. Bhaganah (bh\bar{a}-na-sa): S I I (Long, two short)
7. Naganah (na-sa-la): I I I (Three consecutive short syllables)
8. Saganah (sa-la-gaṃ): I I S (Two short, one long)

The question asks for the Gana consisting of three gurus (Triguru). Looking at our breakdown, Maganah is the only one composed of three long syllables (S S S).

In Indian poetics, Magana is considered a very auspicious Gana. It is often used to start great works (Mahakavyas) because it symbolizes prosperity and stability. For instance, the word "Shri" (S S S) is frequently used as the starting syllable of epics, fitting the Magana structure.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Maganah consists of three gurus. Therefore, Option (D) is the correct answer.