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Chandas -छन्दस् (Prosody)

Section I

छन्दस् is a prosody, poetic metre. They are classified in to

  1. Vaidika – Used in Vedas
  2. Laukika – Used in Classical Literature, Itihasas & Puranas

In this chapter we deal only with Prosody used in Literature i.e., Laukika.

Composing poem in Chandas make it charming , rhythmic and easy to memorize.

  • Count of Syllables –

A poem or verse is usually divided in to four quarters (pada / पाद),  Chandas is a science that specifies rules to be followed in each of these quarters.

In a number of syllables count in a quarter, all preceding consonants along with vowel are taken. Number of syllables count for Chandas would be as follows:

For example, in a word विद्यालय  ( with nine aksharas, व् इ द् य् आ ल् अ य् अ)  , the number of syllables count are four , viz.,  वि , द्या , ल , य. No of syllables count is equal to number of vowels.

  • Laghu and Guru Classification –

Secondly, the syllables are classified in to लघु (laghu) and गुरु (guru). A syllable ending with short (ह्रस्व) vowels अ इ उ ऋ ऌ are classified as  लघु.

A syllable ending with long (दीर्घ) vowels आ, ई, ऊ, ॠ , ए, ऐ, ओ and औ are classified as गुरु.

Symbol for लघु is ‘ । ‘ . Symbol for गुरु is ‘ S ’.

A लघु is deemed गुरु in the following cases:

  1. सानुस्वार: – when followed by Anusvara. For example,  संसार ( सं , सा, र), the सं is treated as गुरु
  2. विसर्गान्त: – when followed by Visarga. पाठ: (पा ठ:), ठ:  treated as गुरु.
  3. युक्तपर: – When followed by conjoint letter i.e. two or more consonants . in ‘युक्त’ यु is followed by two consonants क् and त् and hence treated as गुरु
  4. पादान्तस्थ: – The last syllable in a Pada/ quarter is considered as गुरु.

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे ।

रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पथये नम: ॥

This is shloka with 32 syllables with eight syllables per quarter. We will see the classification of laghu ( I ) and guru ( S )

रा मा य रा म भ द्रा य

रा म च न्द्रा य वे ध से

र घु ना था य ना था य

सी ता या: प थ ये न म:

Laghu Letters are under lined and other letters are Guru.

The 8th letter in the first and third quarter though laghu are deemed as guru as they are  पादान्तस्थ: . 6th letter in the first quarter, 3rd letter in the second quarter are deemed gurus as they are followed by conjoint consonants.   

  • Matras

A Laghu Syllable has one Matra and Guru Syllable has two Matras. Poem in Arya Metre is based on count of Matras

  • Ganas

Gana has three syllables, laghu or guru or combination of both. There are eight ganas as follows:

गण:     लक्षण:चिह्नम्उदाहरणम्
मगण:सर्वगुरुSSSराजानं
यगण:आदिलघुISSशरीरं
रगण:मध्यलघुSISराघवे
सगण:अन्तगुरुIISमथुरा
तगण:अन्तलघुSSIरामाय
जगण:मध्यगुरुISIपवित्र
भगण:आदिगुरुSIIलक्ष्मण
नगण:सर्वलघुIIIविजय

Among the popular metres, except Arya (आर्या) that is based on Matras and Anushtup (अनुष्टुप्) that is based on placement of laghu and guru in few defined positions, other metres are based on Ganas.

We will see these popular metres, definition and examples

Section II

  • Anushtup (अनुष्टुप्)

This is also called as Shloka. 90% of Ramayana, Mahabharata (including Bhagavadgita) are composed under this metre. The shloka composed in Anushtup is easy to memorize.

It has 32 syllables, 8 syllables per quarter. The definition itself is given in shloka form composed in the same metre.

श्लोके षष्ठं गुरुज्ञेयं सर्वत्र लघुपञ्चमम् ।

द्विचतु: पादयोर्ह्रस्वं सप्तमं दीर्घमन्ययो: ॥

In a Shloka, 6th letter of each quarter is Guru, in all quarters 5th letter is Laghu, in 2nd and 4th quarter seventh letter is Laghu and other quarters (1st and 3rd) seventh letter is Guru.

Therefore, other than 5th 6th and 7th letter of each quarter, other places can be either Laghu or Guru

Let us see the example given: 

1             2             3             4             5             6             7             8

श्लो         के           ष             ष्ठं         गु             रु             ज्ञे            यं

                                                           ल           गु             गु            

स            र्व             त्र            ल            घु             प             ञ्च          मम्

                                                             ल           गु             ल

द्वि        च            तु:          पा            द             यो           र्ह्र             स्वं

                                                           ल           गु             गु

स            प्त          मं           दी            र्घ             म            न्य          यो:

                                                            ल           गु             ल

We will see another popular shloka, cited earlier.

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे ।

रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पथये नम: ॥

1             2             3             4             5             6             7             8

रा            मा           य           रा            म            भ            द्रा            य

रा            म            च            न्द्रा         य           वे             ध            से 

र              घु             ना           था           य           ना           था           य

सी           ता           या:         प             थ            ये           न             म:

5th letter in each quarter is Laghu, 6th letter is Guru, and 7th letter is alternately Guru and Laghu.

  • Arya ( आर्या )

There are many variations. The popular Arya Metre has following characteristics. The first half will have seven sets of four matras in each set plus one Guru letter. So, total count in the first half of verse will have 30 matras.

In the second half will be exactly same as first set except the sixth set will have only one laghu letter. So, total count in the second half of verse would be 27 matras.

Another rule is in the first half, odd numbers, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th shall not be  जगण (ISI), while 6th has to be compulsorily  जगण (ISI).

No such restriction is there in second half, except that as earlier stated the sixth set will have one laghu letter only.

We will see an example:

नीतिज्ञा नियतिज्ञा वेदज्ञा अपि भवन्ति शास्त्रज्ञाः ।

ब्रह्मज्ञा अपि लभ्या स्वाज्ञानज्ञानिनो विरलाः ॥

This is Shloka from Vairagaya Shataka of Shri Neelakanta Deekshita.

Meaning – Knowers of ethics, Knowers of regulations  Knowers of Vedas and  Knowers of Shastras are also available. Knowers of Brahman also could be found. The scarce are people who know their own ignorance.

We will see how this verse falls within the definition of Arya Metre.

नीति ज्ञानिय तिज्ञा  वेद   ज्ञाअपि     भवन्ति  शास्त्र  ज्ञाः

SS     SII          SS       SS      SII     ISI    SS    S      =  30

ब्रह्म   ज्ञाअपि लभ्या स्वाज्ञा नज्ञा   नि नोविर लाः

SS     SII           SS   SS      SS    I     SII     S       = 27

We can see that above verse satisfies all rules of Arya Metre.

  • त्रिष्टुप् (Trishtup)

Among Metres based on Ganas, Trishtup is most popular. This is mostly used in Kavyas under classical literature.  There are three types under this metre:

  • इन्द्रव्रजा  (Indra Vraja)

It has 11 letters per quarter , totalling to 44 letters in a verse. Each quarter will have तगण (SSI) , तगण (SSI) , जगण (ISI) , गु (S), गु (S). Yati  (यति/ pause) has to be there at the end of each quarter.

Let us see this popular shloka as example:

लोकाभिरामं रणरंगधीरं

राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।

कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरंतं

श्री रामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ।।

Meaning – I surrender to Shri Ramachandra, delight of people, brave in battlefield, lotus eyed, Lord of Raghu Lineage, ocean of compassion and Merciful.

SSI          SSI    ISI    S    S

लोकाभि    रामंर णरंग धी   रं

राजीव     नेत्रंर  घुवंश ना   थम् 

कारुण्य    रूपंक रुणाक रं   तं

श्रीराम     चन्द्रंश रणंप्र प   द्ये

In each of these quarters first three letters are तगण (SSI), second three letters are also तगण (SSI), the third three letters are जगण (ISI) and 10th and 11th letters are Guru.

  • उपेन्द्रव्रजा (Upendra Vraja)

Like Indravraja 11 letters per quarter , totalling to 44 letters in a verse. Each quarter will have जगण (ISI) , तगण (SSI) , जगण (ISI) , गु (S), गु (S).

The example is verse from  शरणागतिगद्यं composed by Shri Ramanujacharya. 

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव 
त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणम् त्वमेव 
त्वमेव सर्वम् मम देव देव ॥

Meaning – You are only my mother, You are only my father, You are only my kin, you are only my friend, you are my knowledge, You are my only possession, You are everything for me, O God of Gods !

ISI           SSI              ISI      S     S

त्वमेव    माताच         पितात्व   मे    व 

त्वमेव    बन्धुश्च       सखात्व   मे    व 

त्वमेव    विद्याद्र       विणम्त्व  मे   व 

त्वमेव    सर्वम्म         मदेव         दे    व 

In each of these quarters first three letters are जगण (ISI), second three letters are तगण (SSI), the third three letters are जगण (ISI) and 10th and 11th letters are Guru.

Note – The last letter in a quarter is always deemed as Guru even if it is ending with short vowel.

  • उपजाति (Upajaati)

It is a combination of Indravraja and Upendravraja. Let us see the following example, Mangala Shloka from Kavikula Guru Kalidasa’s Kumara Sambhavam.

अस्त्युत्तरस्यां दिशि देवतात्मा  

हिमालयो नाम नगाधिराजः।
पूर्वापरौ तोयनिधी विगाह्य

स्थितः पृथिव्या इव मानदण्डः॥

Meaning – There exists in the northern direction, Soul of Gods, Himalaya named King of Mountains, extending up to ocean both on eastern and Western Direction, standing like a measuring rod of the earth.

अस्त्युत्त   रस्यांदि    शिदेव      ता      त्मा         (SSI, SSI, ISI, S, S)  

हिमाल   योनाम     नगाधि     रा      जः          (ISI, SSI, ISI, S, S)


पूर्वाप        रौतोय     निधीवि    गा      ह्य         (SSI, SSI, ISI, S, S)

स्थितःपृ   थिव्याइ     वमान    द        ण्डः         (ISI, SSI, ISI, S, S)

In the above verse, first and third quarters are Indravraja and second and fourth quarters are Upendra Vraja).

Any combination of Indravraja and Upendra Vraja are considered as Upajaati, like first three can be Indra Vraja and last one can be Upendra Vraja. Let us see another verse from Kumarasambhavam.

अनन्तरत्नप्रभवस्य यस्य

हिमं न सौभाग्यविलोपि जातम्।
एको हि दोषो गुणसन्निपाते

निमज्जतीन्दोः किरणेष्विवाङ्कः॥

Meaning – The snow does not spoil the beauty in whose possession are innumerable jewels and resources, a single defect sinks in multitude of virtues, like a mark in moons bright rays. 

अनन्त   रत्नप्र     भवस्य य  स्य   (ISI, SSI, ISI, S, S)

हिमंन   सौभाग्य   विलोपि जा तम्  (ISI, SSI, ISI, S, S)

एकोहि दोषोगु    णसन्नि पा  ते     (SSI, SSI, ISI, S, S)

निमज्ज   तीन्दोःकि  रणेष्वि वा ङ्कः  (ISI, SSI, ISI, S, S)

In the above quarters 1, 2 and 4 are Upendravraja and 3 is Indravraja)

Now we will see other popular metres  

  • जगती (Jagatee)

Under this metre, there would be 12 syllables per quarter. Yati should be there at the end of quarter. This Metre has three variations.

  • वंशस्थं (Vamshastham)

Under this Metre, each quarter will have जगण (ISI) तगण (SSI) जगण (ISI) and रगण (SIS).

We will see this shloka from Kulashekara Azhwar’s (Tamil Vaishnava Sage and King of Chera Country) from Mukunda Mala:

नमामि नारायण पादपङ्कजम्

करोमि नारायण पूजनं सदा ।

वदामि नारायण नाम निर्मलम्

स्मरामि नारायण तत्त्वमव्ययम् ॥

Meaning – I worship Narayana’s lotus feet, I always do rituals for Narayana, I always recite impeccable names of Narayana, I always remember indestructible supreme truth, Narayana.

ISI           SSI      ISI         SIS

नमामि नाराय     णपाद     पङ्कजम्             

करोमि नाराय    णपूज     नंसदा

वदामि नाराय    णनाम निर्मलम्

स्मरामि नाराय    णतत्त्व   मव्ययम्

Every quarter has जगण (ISI) तगण (SSI) जगण (ISI) and रगण (SIS) in that order.

  • तोटकम् (Totakam)

Under this Metre, each quarter will have four सगणs (IIS).

We will see this popular shloka from Madhraashtakam composed by Shri. Vallabhacharya

अधरं मधुरं वदनं मधुरं 

नयनं मधुरं हसितं मधुरम् ।
हृदयं मधुरं गमनं मधुरं 

मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥

Meaning – Sweet Lips, charming face, pleasant eyes, beautiful eyes, sweet heart, majestic gait, everything is sweet of Lord of Mathura.

IIS           IIS           IIS      IIS

अधरं      मधुरं       वदनं       मधुरं 

नयनं      मधुरं       हसितं     मधुरम् 
हृदयं       मधुरं       गमनं      मधुरं 

मधुरा     धिपते    रखिलं    मधुरम् 

All four quarters have four सगणs (IIS).

  • भुजङ्गप्रयातम् (Bhujangaprayaatam)

This metre will have four यगणs (ISS)  in all four quarters.

We will see this popular example from Bhavani Ashtakam composed by Bhagavat Pada Shri Adishankaracharya.

न तातो न माता न बन्धुर्न दाता
न पुत्रो न पुत्री न भृत्यो न भर्ता
न जाया न विद्या न वृत्तिर्ममैव
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि

(Meaning – Not my father, not my mother, not any relation, Not the supporter, Not the the son, Not the daughter, not the servant, not the husband, not the wife, not my knowledge, not my profession, but You are the Only One Refuge, You are indeed the Rufuge, O Bhavani ! )

(ISS)   (ISS)    (ISS)   (ISS)

नतातो नमाता  नबन्धु   र्नदाता

नपुत्रो    नपुत्री     नभृत्यो नभर्ता

नजाया   नविद्या   नवृत्ति र्ममैव

गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं  त्वमेका भवानि

All the four quarters have four यगणs (ISS).

  • वियोगिनी (Viyoginee)

This is unequal metre. The first and third quarter have 10 syllables two सगणs (IIS), one जगण (ISI) and गु (S) and second and fourth quarter have सगण (IIS) भगण (SII) रगण (SIS) ल (I) गु (S).

The popular example is verse from Kiratarjuniyam composed by great Poet Bharavi.

सहसा विदधीत न क्रियां

अविवॆकः परमापदां पदम् ।
वृणुते हि विमृश्यकारिणं

गुणलुब्धाः स्वयमेव सम्पदः ||

Meaning – One should not act in haste. Unwise person would face calamities. Fortunes would come automatically to a person who acts with wisdom.

1st & 3rd quarter:

IIS           IIS           ISI                   S

सहसा   विदधी   तन क्रि                   यां

वृणुते    हिविमृ   श्यकारि                 णं

2nd & 4th quarter:

IIS           SII                     SIS         I            S

अविवॆ    कःपर                  मापदां   प             दम्
गुणलु     ब्धाःस्वय              मेवस      म्प          दः

The poem falls under Viyoginee.

  • Others:

We will see other popular metres which have been widely used in poetry.

  • वसन्ततिलका (Vasantatilakaa)

This metre is very popular having 14 syllables per quarter. Each quarter has  तगण (SSI), भगण (SII), जगण (ISI), जगण (ISI), गुरु गुरु in that order. Yati has to be at 6th or 8th syllable.

We will see this popular Shloka from Shri Vedanta Deshika’s Godastuti.

श्रीविष्णुचित्तकुलनन्दनकल्पवल्लीम्

श्रीरङ्गराजहरिचन्दन योगदृश्यां ।

साक्षात् क्षमां करुणया कमलामिवान्यां

गोदामनन्यशरण: शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

Meaning – With no onle else to take refuge, I surrender to Goda, wish granting karpaga vrksha grown in the garden of Shri Vishnu Chitta (Periyazhvar) family, who embraced adjacent Harichandana Tree who is none other than Shri Ranga Natha, united with him like Mahalakshmi and in compassion she is Bhooma devi. 

SSI       SII        ISI        ISI        S          S

श्रीविष्णु चित्तकु   लनन्द    नकल्प   व          ल्लीम्

श्रीरङ्ग    राजह    रिचन्द   नयोग    दृ          श्यां

साक्षात्क्ष मांकरु   णयाक   मलामि  वा         न्यां

गोदाम   नन्यश   रण:श    रणंप्र     प          द्ये

Each quarter has तगण (SSI), भगण (SII), जगण (ISI), जगण (ISI), गुरु गुरु in that order.

  • मालिनी (Maalinee)

This metre has 15 syllables, नगण (III) , नगण III) , मगण (SSS), यगण (ISS), यगण (ISS). Yati is at the end of  8th syllable.

We will see verse from Kulashekara Azhvar’s Mukunda Maala.

जयतु जयतु देवो देवकीनन्दनोऽयं

जयतु जयतु कृष्णो वृष्णिवंशप्रदीपः ।

जयतु जयतु मेघश्यामलः कोमलाङ्गो

जयतु जयतु पृथ्वीभारनाशो मुकुन्दः ||

Meaning – Let there be Victory to him, God, Devaki’son, Krishna, the light of Yadava race, dark hued like sky, tender body parts, destroyer of burden of earth, the precious Jewel

(III)  (III) (SSS)              (ISS)       (ISS)

जयतु जयतु देवोदे            वकीन    न्दनोयं

जयतु जयतु कृष्णोवृ        ष्णिवंश प्रदीपः

जयतु जयतु मेघश्या        मलःको  मलाङ्गो

जयतु जयतु पृथ्वीभा       रनाशो   मुकुन्दः

The verse has two नगणs (III) followed by मगण (SSS) and two यगणs (ISS)

  • मन्दाक्रान्ता (Mandaakraanta)

Thia Metre has 17 syllables मगण (SSS), भगण (SII), नगण (III), तगण (SSI), तगण (SSI), गु (S),गु(S). Yati is at the end of 4th and 10th syllable.

The example is famous shloka from Vishnu Sahasranamam

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

Meaning – I worship Vishnu, peaceful appearance, resting on Adisesha, Lotus Navel, God of Gods, supporter of Universe, vastly expansive like sky, cloud hued, auspicious body, Beloved of Lakshmee, Lotus eyed, reached by Yogis only by devotion, who removes fear of cycle of birth and death, Lord of all Worlds.  

SSS                       SII   III            SSI     SSI     S             S

शान्ताका             रंभुज     गशय     नंपद्म  नाभंसु    रे             शं
विश्वाधा               रंगग      नसदृ     शंमेघ    वर्णंशु    भा           ङ्गम् 
लक्ष्मीका              न्तंकम लनय     नंयोगि  भिर्ध्यान  ग          म्यं
वन्देवि                  ष्णुंभव  भयह     रंसर्व      लोकैक  ना           थम् 

The verse has मगण (SSS), भगण (SII), नगण (III), तगण (SSI), तगण (SSI), गु (S),गु(S)

  • शिखरिणी (Shikharinee)

This Metre also has 17 syllables in each quarter. Each quarter has यगण (ISS), मगण (SSS), नगण (III), सगण (IIS), भगण (SII), ल (I) and गु (S). Yati is at the end of 6th syllable.

We will see this shloka from Yamunacharya’s Stotramala.

पिता त्वं माता त्वं दयिततनयस्त्वं प्रियसुहृत्

त्वमेव त्वं मित्रं गुरुरपि गतिश्चासि जगताम् ।

त्वदीयस्त्वद्भृत्यस्तव परिजनस्तद्गतिरहं

प्रपन्नश्चैवं स त्वहमपि तवैवास्मि हि भरः ॥

Meaning – You are father, You are mother, You are spouse, You are son, You are dear companion, You are friend, You are teacher and only refuge of Universe. I am yours. I am your attendant. I am your servant. I am your refugee. I am your surrendered soul. Therefore, I have become your burden and responsibility (Please take care of me).  

ISS         SSS     III      IIS           SII      I               S

पितात्वं मातात्वं दयित   तनय      स्त्वंप्रिय  सु          हृत्

त्वमेव    त्वंमित्रं गुरुर    पिगति   श्चासिज  ग           ताम्

त्वदीय   स्त्वद्भृत्य  स्तवप रिजन स्तद्गति  र           हं

प्रपन्न    श्चैवंस त्वहम  पितवै     वास्मिहि   भ        रः

Each quarter has यगण (ISS), मगण (SSS), नगण (III), सगण (IIS), भगण (SII), ल (I) and गु (S).

  • पृथ्वी (Prthvee):

This metre has 17 syllables, जगण (ISI) सगण (IIS) जगण (ISI) सगण (IIS) यगण (ISS) ल (I) & गु (S). The yati is after 8th syllable.

The shloka from Vairaagya Pancakam composed by Shri Vedanta Deshika is an example:

शरीर पतनावधि प्रभुनिषेवणापादनात्

अबिन्धनधनञ्जयप्रशमदं धनं दन्धनम् ।

धनञ्जयविवर्धनं धनमुदूढगोवर्धनं

सुसाधनमबाधनं सुमनसां समाराधनम् ॥

Meaning – The wealth acquired by serving the King only helps to fulfil with water and food, to satisfy fire in the belly. Possession of the wealth that enhanced Arjuna, that lifted Govardhana is the right means, beneficial for righteous people.   

ISI         IIS        ISI       IIS       ISS         I               S

शरीर     पतना     वधिप्र    भुनिषे    वणापा   द             नात्

अबिन्ध नधन      ञ्जयप्र   शमदं     धनंद      न्ध          नम्

धनञ्ज  यविव     र्धनंध     नमुदू      ढगोव     र्ध            नं

सुसाध    नमबा     धनंसु     मनसां समारा     ध            नम्

Each quarter in the verse has  जगण (ISI) सगण (IIS) जगण (ISI) सगण (IIS) यगण (ISS) ल (I) & गु (S).

  • शार्दूलविक्रीडितम् (Shaardulavikreeditam)

This metre has 19 letters in each quarter,  मगण (SSS), सगण (IIS), जगण (ISI), सगण (IIS), तगण (SSI), तगण (SSI) and गु (S). Yati is at the end of 12th syllable.

The famous shloka from Shri Krishna karnamrutam composed by Poet Shri Bilva Mangalar is an example for this metre.

कस्तूरीतिलकं ललाटपटले वक्षःस्थले कौस्तुभं
नासाग्रे नवमौक्तिकं करतले वेणुं करे कङ्कणम् ।
सर्वाङ्गे हरिचन्दनं सुललितं कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिं
गोपस्त्री परिवेष्टितो विजयते गोपाल चूडामणिः ॥

Gopala excels coated with Kasturi Mark on forehead, Kaustubha jewel on chest, shining new pearl on the nose, holding flute in hand decorated with bracelet, applied with sandal paste all over body, wearing beautiful pearl garland on the neck, surrounded by cowherd girls like a crown jewel.

SSS       IIS       ISI      IIS      SSI         SSI             S

कस्तूरी तिलकं  ललाट   पटले    वक्षःस्थ   लेकौस्तु   भं
नासाग्रे  नवमौ  क्तिकंक  रतले   वेणुंक     रेकङ्क    णम् 
सर्वाङ्गे हरिच     न्दनंसु    ललितं  कण्ठेच   मुक्ताव    लिं
गोपस्त्री  परिवे  ष्टितोवि  जयते   गोपाल  चूडाम      णिः 

Each quarter has  19 letters  मगण (SSS), सगण (IIS), जगण (ISI), सगण (IIS), तगण (SSI), तगण (SSI) and गु (S).

  • स्रग्धरा (Sragdharaa)

Each quarter under this metre has 21 syllables,  मगण (SSS), रगण (SIS), भगण (SII), नगण (III), यगण (ISS), यगण (ISS) and यगण (ISS). Yati has to be at the end of every 7th syllable.

The famous invocation shloka from Vishnu Sahasranaamam is example:

क्षीरोदन्वत्प्रदेशे शुचिमणिविलसत्सैकतेर्मौक्तिकानां

मालाकॢप्तासनस्थः स्फटिकमणिनिभैर्मौक्तिकैर्मण्डिताङ्गः ।

शुभ्रैरभ्रैरदभ्रैरुपरिविरचितैर्मुक्तपीयूष वर्षैः

आनन्दी नः पुनीयादरिनलिनगदा शङ्खपाणिर्मुकुन्दः ॥

Meaning –  In the milky ocean, in the shining sand bank of pearls, in the couch of garland of pearls, adorned his body with crystal jewels like pearls, delighted by showers of nectar released by  plenty of white clouds, that Mukunda wielding lotus, club, wheel and conch purify us.

SSS       SIS         SII          III             ISS           ISS         ISS        

क्षीरोद   न्वत्प्रदे शेशुचि          मणिवि       लसत्सै   कतेर्मौ   क्तिकानां

मालाकॢ प्तासन    स्थःस्फटि     कमणि        निभैर्मौ क्तिकैर्म  ण्डिताङ्गः

शुभ्रैर     भ्रैरद      भ्रैरुप                रिविर       चितैर्मु   क्तपीयू   षवर्षैः

आनन्दी नःपुनी यादरि             नलिन        गदाश    ङ्खपाणि र्मुकुन्दः

The shloka has 21 syllables,  मगण (SSS), रगण (SIS), भगण (SII), नगण (III), यगण (ISS), यगण (ISS) and यगण (ISS).

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