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Two: Description of the Metres

2.2 The flexible syllabic metres, vaṇṇacchandas
(varṇacchandas) type 1
(a.k.a. akkharacchandas [Skt: akṣaracchandas])

In these the line length is determined by the number of syllables there are in a line, e.g. Siloka normally has 8; Tuṭṭhubha 11; Jagatī 12. These metres have a more or less fixed cadence (i.e. the closing rhythm of a line), but allow a greater freedom in the rest of the line, in which they differ from vaṇṇacchandas type 2. The syllabic metres are the most common type found in the canon.

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