Pluti


Pluti is the term for the phenomenon of overlong vowels in Sanskrit; the overlong vowels are themselves called pluta. Pluta vowels are usually noted with a numeral "3",, also.
Pluta vowels are recorded a total of 3 times in the Rigveda and 15 times in the Atharvaveda, typically in cases of questioning and particularly where two options are being compared. For example:
The pluti attained the peak of their popularity in the Brahmana period of late Vedic Sanskrit, with some 40 instances in the Shatapatha Brahmana alone.
The Astadhyayi records rules for pluti in spoken language, for example 8.2.82 " when replying to the greeting of a non-shudra".