Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 40
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
अधोधःस्थितवर्णानां यावत्तूर्यपदन्नयेत् तुर्यपादान्नयेदूर्ध पादार्धं प्रातिलोम्यतः
adhodhaḥsthitavarṇānāṃ yāvattūryapadannayet turyapādānnayedūrdha pādārdhaṃ prātilomyataḥ
নিচে স্থাপিত অক্ষরগুলির বিন্যাস করতে করতে চতুর্থ পাদ (তূর্য-পদ) পর্যন্ত যেতে হবে। তারপর চতুর্থ পাদ থেকে ঊর্ধ্বদিকে, ক্রম উল্টে (প্রাতিলোম্য) অর্ধ-পাদ জুড়ে অগ্রসর হতে হবে।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Completing bandha layouts by following a two-phase traversal: proceed through the lower-placed syllables up to the fourth quarter, then reverse direction and ascend retrograde through the half-verse to close the pattern symmetrically.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Traversal Rule: To Tūrya-pada then Prātilomya Ascent through Pādārdha","lookup_keywords":["tūrya-pada","pādārdha","prātilomya","adhodhaḥ","bandha-traversal"],"quick_summary":"Move through the lower-positioned syllables until the fourth quarter (tūrya-pada). From there, reverse (prātilomya) and proceed upward through the half-verse to complete the bandha path."}
Alamkara Type: Citra (Bandha-kāvya)
Concept: Reversal (prātilomya) as a formal device to ensure balance and closure in constructed forms.
Application: When drafting/reading a bandha, mark the tūrya-pada as the turning point; then verify the upward retrograde sequence to avoid mismatched endpoints.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Prosody (Sanskrit Metrics / Kavya-shastra)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bandha diagram with a highlighted path: arrows move along lower syllables to the fourth quarter, then turn and climb upward in reverse order to finish the half-verse.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, a large diagram with a clear turning point at the tūrya-pada, arrows reversing upward (prātilomya), warm temple interior with scholar reciting and tracing the path.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gilded turning-point marker at the fourth quarter on a decorative grid, bold arrows showing reversal and ascent, rich colors and ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional plate: phase 1 to tūrya-pada, phase 2 prātilomya ascent through pādārdha, clean labels and measured spacing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, illuminated manuscript page with a traced route in colored ink: forward to the fourth quarter then reverse upward, marginal notes explaining prātilomya, refined detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Arabhi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अधोधःस्थितवर्णानाम् = अधोधः-स्थित-वर्णानाम्; यावत्तूर्यपदम् = यावत् तूर्य-पदम्; पदन्नयेत् = पदम् नयेत्; तुर्यपादान्नयेत् = तूर्य-पादात् नयेत्; नयेदूर्धम् = नयेत् ऊर्धम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.39 (descending placement and joints); Agni Purana 342.36-342.38 (bandha types to which the traversal applies)
FAQs
It teaches a technical method of metrical scanning/arrangement: proceed through the verse up to the fourth pāda, then trace upward through the half-verse in reverse order (prātilomya) to verify or compute the metrical pattern.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical śāstric know-how—here, Sanskrit chandas (prosody). This shows its role as a compendium that includes literary science (kāvya-śāstra) alongside religious teachings.
Correct metrical knowledge supports accurate recitation and preservation of sacred and literary texts; precision in chanting and textual transmission is traditionally regarded as purifying and merit-bearing because it safeguards śabda (authoritative sound).