Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 36
Chapter 360 — अव्ययवर्गाः
Groups of Indeclinables
अद्यात्राह्न्य् अथ पूर्वेह्नीत्यादौ पूर्वोत्तरा परात् तथाधरान्यान्यतरेतरात्पूर्वेद्युरादयः
adyātrāhny atha pūrvehnītyādau pūrvottarā parāt tathādharānyānyataretarātpūrvedyurādayaḥ
এতিয়া “অদ্য” (আজি), “ত্রাহ্নি/অত্রাহ্নি” (সেই দিন), “পূৰ্বেহ্নি” (পূৰ্বাহ্নত) আদি কালবাচক শব্দসমূহত উপযুক্ত ৰূপ-গঠন/প্ৰয়োগ ব্যাখ্যা কৰা হয়। তদ্ৰূপ ‘পূৰ্ব-উত্তৰ’ (আগ-পিছ), ‘উচ্চ-নীচ’ (পর/উত্তৰৰ বিপৰীতে অধর), ‘পৰস্পৰ’ (অন্যোন্যতৰ, ইতৰেতৰ) আৰু “পূৰ্বেদ্যুঃ” (পূৰ্বদিন) আদি ৰূপসমূহো উল্লেখিত।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha (contextual attribution for the grammar/encyclopedic sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Guides formation/understanding of temporal compounds and relational pairs (prior–subsequent, higher–lower, reciprocal) used in precise narration, ritual scheduling, and technical prose.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Derivational set of time-expressions and relational compounds: adya/atrāhni, pūrvehni, pūrvottara, adhara, anyonyatara/itaretara, pūrvedyuḥ","lookup_keywords":["adya atrāhni","pūrvehni","pūrvottara","anyonyatara itaretara","pūrvedyuḥ"],"quick_summary":"Introduces a cluster of temporal expressions (today/that day/forenoon/previous day) and relational compound patterns (prior–later, higher–lower, reciprocal), indicating their grammatical formation and usage domains."}
Alamkara Type: Samasa-vyavastha (compound-governed diction)
Concept: Relational thinking (pūrva/uttara, adhara/para, itaretara) is encoded through grammatical structures; language mirrors ordered cognition.
Application: Use standardized relational compounds to avoid ambiguity in instructions (ritual steps, procedural texts, chronicles): ‘pūrvehni’ vs ‘pūrvedyuḥ’, ‘pūrvottara’ for sequencing, ‘itaretara’ for mutuality.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana / Shabda-shastra (Grammar and lexicography: temporal adverbs and directional compounds)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grammatical ‘map’ showing time-terms (today, that day, forenoon, previous day) on a timeline, and relational pairs (prior–later, higher–lower, reciprocal) as linked nodes; a teacher explains the chart to students.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru before a stylized timeline scroll labeled adya, atrāhni, pūrvehni, pūrvedyuḥ; side motifs show paired arrows for pūrvottara and vertical arrows for adhara/para; ornate borders and earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted diagrammatic scroll with Devanagari labels, central seated guru, surrounding medallions for pūrvottara, adhara, itaretara/anyonyatara, rich reds/greens with gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear pedagogical chart: horizontal timeline with labeled nodes, plus relational pair boxes; fine linework, minimal background, emphasis on legibility and structure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scholarly lesson with a beautifully illuminated chart page: timeline and relational diagrams, students taking notes, delicate borders and subdued colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अद्यात्राह्न्य् = adya + atra + ahni. पूर्वेह्नि = pūrve + ahni. इत्यादौ = iti + ādau. पूर्वोत्तरा = pūrva + uttarāḥ (द्वन्द्व). तथाधरान्य् = tathā + adharāḥ + anyāḥ. अन्यतरेतरात् = anyatara + itarāt. पूर्वेद्युरादयः = pūrva + dyuḥ + ādayaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 360.35 (temporal adverbs); Agni Purana 360 (Sāhitya/Vyākaraṇa technical run)
FAQs
This verse imparts Vyākaraṇa-vidyā: it catalogs and frames the derivational/usage set of Sanskrit time-words (e.g., adya, pūrvehni, pūrvedyuḥ) and relational pairs (pūrva–uttara, anyonya/itaretara) used for precise temporal and comparative reference.
By including a compact grammatical-lexical register of technical Sanskrit expressions for time and reciprocity, the Agni Purana functions as a reference manual beyond ritual—preserving linguistic science alongside theology, dharma, and other disciplines.
Its significance is indirect: mastery of correct Sanskrit usage supports accurate transmission of mantras, vows, and ritual timings; linguistic precision is treated as a safeguard for dharma-practice and faithful preservation of sacred knowledge.