udâtta

Udâtta is a term from Sanskrit grammar and phonetics referring to a high or elevated tone. It is one of the three pitch accents (svara) in Vedic Sanskrit, alongside anudâtta (low tone) and svarita (falling or circumflex tone). The udâtta accent is typically marked with an acute accent in transliteration and notation systems, though this marking is often omitted in modern scholarly transcriptions where the absence of other accents implies udâtta. The precise realization of udâtta could vary depending on the specific Vedic dialect and pada (word) context. Its presence and position were crucial for the correct pronunciation and interpretation of Vedic texts, as the accent could distinguish between words that were otherwise spelled identically but had different meanings. The system of accents, including udâtta, is a distinctive feature of Vedic Sanskrit and is absent in Classical Sanskrit. Understanding the udâtta accent was essential for priests and scholars to accurately recite and comprehend hymns and rituals.