उच्चैर् उदात्तः

With this sutra begins the description of the three sorts of vowel accents. The accent placed on a vowel by raising the voice is called udatta or acute accent. As अग्निः agnih, here i has the acute accent. The udatta is not marked in writing. The word 'vowel' of the previous sutra is understood in this also. These accents are the qualities of letters, and are well known in the sacred and secular literature. The vowel which is perceived as having a high tone is called udatta. This tone depends upon the organ from which the vowel is pronounced. In the various organs, such as the throat, palate, &c., if a vowel is pronounced from a higher part of that organ, it is called udatta. The vowel in the pronouncing of which there is the restraining and checking of the bodily parts, and in which there is dryness and roughness of tone as well as a contraction of the larynx, is said to have the acute accent. The word is used in sutra (III. I. 3) \\[1\\] \The first vowel of an affix has the udatta accent.\ As कृ + तव्यम् = कर्तव्यम् kartavyam.

## Footnotes
- [1] - आद्युदात्तश्च ॥,