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One: Scansion and Related Matters

1.3 Conventions

As stated above two signs are used to indicate syllabic weight, they are:

Û = light (lahu)

Ü = heavy (garu)

This is the convention that is normally used in Europe, and the one employed here. However it should be noted that in Indian works on the subject just the opposite convention normally prevails, as a straight line indicates the light syllable, and a bent one the heavy, therefore we sometimes see that Û = heavy, ⁰¹ Ü = light! To avoid confusion when consulting works on metre care must be exercised to find out which convention is being employed.