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88 12-13]
सटीका वृत्तजातिसमुच्चयः
XV
Virahānka and Hemacandra roughly represents the three successive stages in the development of Prākrit prosody.29
13. The second of the six Fratyayas is the Naşta. Its purpose is to find out the unknown (nasta) structure (vịtta) of a particular permutation of a given metre, the serial number (anka) of this permutation in the midst of the whole of its Prastāra being given. As opposed to this, in the third Pratyaya, namely the Uddista, the structure of the particular permutation is given and we are to find out its serial number in the midst of its Prastāra. Thus the terms Naşta and Uddişta are used with reference to the structure or form of a permutation and not with reference to its serial number. To find out the unknown structure or form of a permutation when its serial number is given, we should write down in the first place a long letter (S) if the given number be an odd figure, but a short one (I), if it be an even one. Then halve the given number further and further, every time writing down a long (S) or a short (I) letter according as the number obtained by halving is odd or even. The process is to be continued until we obtain the required number of letters. The Jetters obtained in this manner represent the required structure or form of the particular permutation. When, however, in the process of halving, the figure 1 (naţthańka) is reached, all the remaining letters should be written down as long (S), since 1 is an odd number (vv. 30-35). Now, to find out the serial number of a permutation whose structure or form is given, take the last short letter (antam farisam) in the structure and double it, counting it as equal to 1. Thus we get 2; this number then should be doubled further and further for each letter which precedes this short letter, always deducting 1 from the figure obtained by doubling if the letter is long, but not when the letter is short. The final figure thus obtained is the required serial number of the given permutation. These are, of course, the Naşta and the Uddişta of Varņa Vșttas; those of the Mātrā Vrttas are given in vv. 36-40. Here too, in vv. 37-38 the Naşta and the Uddişta of the Mātrā Vșttas is given in connection with the number of letters contained in a particular form. Thus when the total number of letters in a certain permutation of a Mātrā Vrtta is asked (i.e., is unknown or Nasta), the serial number of it being given, deduct 1 from this number and add to this the total number of letters which obtains in the first of the permutations of the Mātrā Vștta. This total number is called
29. See also Kavidarpana VI. 1-2; Chandaḥkośa vv. 71-73; among the Sanskrit pro
sodists compare Jayadevachandas VIII. 1-3; Chandonuśāsana of Jayakirti VIII. 1-6 and Vottaratnākara VI. 1-2 (the last three at Jayadāman, pp. 37, 69 and 92 respectively).
