padya refers to literarary creation in the form of verses. A verse generally consists of four parts, each called a paada (a quarter). The length of each paada is dictated by the meter (Chandas) - number of akSharas (syllable count) or number of maatraas (duration).

pi~Ngalaachaarya is credited with the first codification of the rules of metre.

raamaayaNam and mahaabhaaratam are padya compositions.  raamaayaNam is the first poem - aadi kaavyam.  mahaabhaaratam is the longest composition.  Sri Aurobindo asserts that the poetical manner of these epics is on par with the greatness of their substance.