Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 22
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
मात्राभिर्गणना सा जातिरिति काश्यपः सममर्धसमं वृत्तं विषमं पैङ्गलं त्रिधा
mātrābhirgaṇanā sā jātiriti kāśyapaḥ samamardhasamaṃ vṛttaṃ viṣamaṃ paiṅgalaṃ tridhā
কাশ্যপৰ মতে মাত্রাৰে গণনা কৰাক ‘জাতি’ বোলা হয়। আৰু পিঙ্গলৰ পদ্ধতিত বৃত্ত তিন প্ৰকাৰ—সম, অৰ্ধসম আৰু বিষম।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Applying two metrical measurement systems: mātrā-counting for jāti metres (per Kāśyapa) and classifying vṛtta into sama/ardhasama/viṣama (per Piṅgala) for accurate composition and recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jāti by mātrā-count (Kāśyapa) and threefold Vṛtta (Piṅgala): Sama/Ardhasama/Viṣama","lookup_keywords":["mātrā","jāti","Kāśyapa","Piṅgala","sama ardhasama viṣama"],"quick_summary":"Defines jāti as metre measured by mātrās and presents Piṅgala’s tripartite vṛtta classification—sama, ardhasama, viṣama—guiding how to scan and compose different metrical symmetries."}
Concept: Knowledge transmission via named authorities (Kāśyapa, Piṅgala) and operational definitions: metre is validated by measurable units and symmetry patterns.
Application: When scanning: if mātrā-count governs, treat as jāti; if akṣara-counted vṛtta, determine whether all pādas match (sama), alternate/paired match (ardhasama), or differ (viṣama).
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody and Metre)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody lesson showing mātrā marks (laghu/guru timing) and three symmetry patterns of vṛtta: equal, half-equal, and unequal pādas, with Kāśyapa and Piṅgala named as authorities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two sage-figures (Kāśyapa and Piṅgala) in a scholarly hall; palm-leaf charts showing mātrā ticks and three metrical symmetry columns labeled sama/ardhasama/viṣama.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work, sages seated with manuscripts; decorative chart panels illustrating mātrā counting and the three vṛtta classes; rich reds and greens, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, highly instructional: clear tables of mātrā counts, laghu-guru symbols, and three vṛtta symmetry examples; fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars debating with illustrated folios; a central chart displays sama/ardhasama/viṣama patterns; meticulous calligraphy-like metrical notation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मात्राभिर्गणना = मात्राभिः + गणना; जातिरिति = जातिः + इति (विसर्ग-लोप); सममर्धसमं = समम् + अर्धसमम् (सन्धि-लोप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (chandas: jāti and vṛtta subdivisions)
FAQs
It teaches chandas-vidyā (Sanskrit prosody): jāti is defined through mātrā-counting, and vṛtta is classified (per Piṅgala) into sama, ardhasama, and viṣama types for correct composition and recitation.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves technical śāstra material—here, a concise metrical taxonomy citing classical authorities (Kāśyapa and Piṅgala), showing its coverage of linguistic and literary sciences.
Accurate metre supports correct chanting and refined hymn-composition; in a dharmic context, disciplined, well-formed recitation is treated as a purifying act that safeguards meaning and enhances the efficacy of sacred speech.