Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 24
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
चतुर्दशसमद्वन्द्व एतत्सामान्यतो नरः विद्याश् चतुर्दश द्व्यक्षैः पश्येद्यः षोडशाक्षकः
caturdaśasamadvandva etatsāmānyato naraḥ vidyāś caturdaśa dvyakṣaiḥ paśyedyaḥ ṣoḍaśākṣakaḥ
সাধাৰণতে মানুহে ইয়াক চৌদটা সম-দ্বন্দ্ব (যুগল) বুলি বুজিব। যি দ্ব্যক্ষৰ-খণ্ডে বিন্যস্ত চৌদ ‘বিদ্যা’ উপলব্ধি কৰে, সি ষোড়শাক্ষৰ (মন্ত্ৰ/বিদ্যা)ৰ জ্ঞাতা।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Mantra classification by syllabic structure (akṣara), pairing/opposition schema, and recognition of a ṣoḍaśākṣarī framework used in japa and nyāsa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Caturdaśa-dvandva and ṣoḍaśākṣarī-vidyā recognition","lookup_keywords":["caturdaśa-dvandva","vidyā","dvyakṣara","ṣoḍaśākṣarī","varṇa-chandas"],"quick_summary":"Explains a schematic: fourteen paired units (dvandva) understood through two-syllable groupings, culminating in knowledge/recognition of a sixteen-syllabled vidyā. Useful for mantra-analysis, nyāsa mapping, and disciplined japa."}
Alamkara Type: Dvandva (paired structuring)
Concept: Mantra-jñāna arises from disciplined perception of akṣara-structure and relational pairing, not mere recitation.
Application: In japa/nyāsa, count akṣaras, group into dvyakṣara units, and maintain the intended paired schema; use this to avoid mantra-bhraṃśa (phonetic error).
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Varna/Chandas (Tantric–Vedic phonetics and mantra classification)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mantra-teacher draws a syllabic grid: fourteen paired units arranged as two-syllable blocks, pointing toward a highlighted sixteen-syllable mantra schema; students chant softly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru with palm-leaf manuscript, geometric akṣara grid on a board, fourteen paired blocks shown symmetrically, sacred lamp-lit classroom ambiance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted akṣara blocks and mantra diagram, guru with halo-like aura, students seated, ornate border emphasizing sacred phonetics.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, crisp instructional diagram of dvyakṣara groupings and a highlighted ṣoḍaśākṣarī line, minimal background, emphasis on legibility.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature scholastic scene, calligraphic Sanskrit akṣaras in neat blocks, teacher indicating paired units with a pointer, refined interior details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: etatsāmānyato = etat+sāmānyataḥ. vidyāś = vidyāḥ (visarga sandhi before c-). dvyakṣaiḥ = dvi+akṣaiḥ. paśyedyaḥ = paśyet+yaḥ. ṣoḍaśākṣakaḥ = ṣoḍaśa+akṣakaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (mantra/varṇa discussion); Agni Purana mantra-lakṣaṇa and chandas-related passages elsewhere
FAQs
It teaches a technical way to classify/recognize mantra-vidyās through syllable-structure: fourteen paired sets understood via disyllabic (two-syllable) units, culminating in the framework of a sixteen-syllabled mantra/vidyā.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves a schematic, quasi-technical taxonomy of mantras (akṣara-counting, pairing, and structural analysis), showing the text’s broad coverage of ritual science, phonetics, and esoteric liturgical method.
Correct discernment of mantra structure is treated as essential for proper japa and ritual efficacy; understanding the vidyā by its syllabic form supports purity of recitation and the intended spiritual result (siddhi/merit) of the practice.