Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 29
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
सुमन्तुश् च सुकर्मा च एकैकां संहितां ततः गृह्णते च सुकर्माख्यः सहस्रं संहितां गुरुः
sumantuś ca sukarmā ca ekaikāṃ saṃhitāṃ tataḥ gṛhṇate ca sukarmākhyaḥ sahasraṃ saṃhitāṃ guruḥ
এরপর সুমন্তু ও সুকর্মা প্রত্যেকে একটি করে সংহিতা গ্রহণ করলেন; আর সুকর্মা নামধারী জন তাঁর গুরুর কাছ থেকে সহস্র সংহিতা লাভ করলেন।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Understanding the scale of textual transmission (single saṃhitā vs. many) for historiography of Itihāsa–Purāṇa and Vedic pedagogy; supports cataloging and curriculum design in traditional pāṭhaśālās.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Saṃhitā-Transmission: Sumantu and Sukarmā","lookup_keywords":["Sumantu","Sukarmā","saṃhitā","sahasra","guru-śiṣya"],"quick_summary":"Describes allocation of saṃhitās among disciples, emphasizing Sukarmā’s reception of a vast corpus (a ‘thousand’ saṃhitās), highlighting multiplicity in oral-textual streams."}
Alamkara Type: Atishayokti
Concept: Knowledge proliferates through disciplined reception and redistribution; ‘thousand’ signifies expansive branching and preservation capacity of oral culture.
Application: Treat textual plurality as expected; reconcile variants by tracing teacher-lineage and saṃhitā-family rather than assuming a single uniform text.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Itihasa–Purana transmission; Vedic recension lineage)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two disciples, Sumantu and Sukarmā, receiving manuscripts from a guru; Sukarmā shown with an abundant stack symbolizing ‘a thousand saṃhitās,’ while Sumantu holds a single bundle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru seated with two disciples; one receives a single palm-leaf bundle, the other receives many bundles arranged like a fan, stylized numeration motifs, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted manuscript stacks around Sukarmā, guru with halo, symmetrical composition, ornate borders, deep maroon background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, classroom scene with labeled bundles ‘eka’ and ‘sahasra,’ fine detailing on palm leaves, calm instructional mood, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate study chamber: guru handing texts, Sukarmā’s attendants carrying numerous manuscript bundles, detailed shelves, patterned carpets, delicate faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुमन्तुश् च → सुमन्तुः + च; सुकर्माख्यः → सुकर्मा + आख्यः (स्वर-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 150.30; Agni Purana 150.31
FAQs
It imparts vidyā of textual transmission: how Saṃhitās are received and preserved through named transmitters (Sumantu, Sukarmā) within a guru–śiṣya lineage.
By documenting the mechanics of compilation and distribution of Saṃhitās (single and multiple recensions), it treats knowledge-management itself as a subject—showing how ritual, doctrine, and literature are conserved and multiplied across generations.
It underscores the sanctity of guru-paramparā: receiving and safeguarding authoritative teachings is presented as a dharmic act that maintains śruti/smṛti continuity and supports merit through faithful preservation of sacred knowledge.