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These facts bring forth one important result. In the proper identification of the metres employed in the epics like the Helguur of Puşpadanta or the fire of Dhanapāla one should be guided ultimately by the metrical works of the Classical Tradition. The other sort of metrical works can at best render only a secondary help and as the common metres are at times divergently treated by the two sorts of metrical treatises, it will not be surprising if their undescerning use proves a source of confusion. The same words apply to the value of the works on epic metres for the study of the metres of non-epical poetry.
Adopting Alsdorf's classification (see As. p. 46) we can deal with the metres of the SR. under the following heads :
A. HET 1. (a) Four-lined metres with the rhyme a b, c d.
(b) Metres of the Dohā-type': two rhyming lines divided in two unequal पादs (as घत्ता : the अन्तरसमा चतुष्पदी type). (c) Metres with the rhyme-type a b, c d e f.
(d) Strophic metres. II. Metres of the Gāthā-type. B. aufąas.
A. AFIQTIS. I. (a) Four-lined metres : rhyme a b, c d.
1. 3tico Occurrence : 104, 182; 157-170, 174-181.
We have conflicting statements of different metricians on this metre. But most of the authorities agree, by definition and illustration, in considering end-Yamaka as one of the differentae of the 311SF. And st. 104 and 182 of our text which are expressly called 31FSF strictly bear out this point. Further, with slight difference all grant that the metre has 16 morae per line, the last two morae being
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