Chanda refers to the study of poetic metres and verse in Sanskrit. It is recognized as one of the six Vedangas, which are the traditional limbs of Vedic studies. This field was essential for the composition of the Vedas, the primary scriptural canons of Hinduism.
The significance of Chanda in ancient scholarship is such that some later Hindu and Buddhist texts refer to the Vedas themselves as Chandas. While it serves as a linguistic and structural framework for poetry, its historical role is deeply rooted in the preservation and organization of sacred Vedic literature.