Verse 1.52-53

Sanskrit text and transliteration:

अकारादिर्भवेद्वर्ण उदात्तादिः स्वरस्तथा ।
ह्रस्वदीर्घप्लुता मात्राः प्रयत्नश्च बलं स्मृतम् ॥ ५२ ॥
समता साम वर्णानां वैषम्यस्य विवर्जनम् ।
सन्तानः संहिता तु स्यादिति शिक्षोपदिश्यते ॥ ५३ ॥

akārādirbhavedvarṇa udāttādiḥ svarastathā |
hrasvadīrghaplutā mātrāḥ prayatnaśca balaṃ smṛtam || 52 ||
samatā sāma varṇānāṃ vaiṣamyasya vivarjanam |
santānaḥ saṃhitā tu syāditi śikṣopadiśyate || 53 ||

English translation of verse 1.52-53:

Varna is the alphabet such as a, etc. Svara is high-pitched tone, etc. Mātrā is measure such as short, long, or prolated. Bala [Balam] is the effort or force required for articulation. Sāma is a medium mode of pronunciation of letters without difference. Santāna is the conjunction of letters—these are the things to be learnt.

Notes:

A person who studies the Veda should pay attention to varṇa, svara, etc. Comprehension of meaning plays a prominent part in the Upaniṣad. Further, there should not be any indifference in the recitai of the text. Carelessness in the recital of the text will lead to evil. It is said that the mantra, when wanting in rhythm or sound, or when wrongly used, does not convey the intended meaning. The Upaniṣad proceeds with a lesson on phonetics with a view to enjoin great care in the study of the text.