Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 55
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
द्वितीयप्रातिलोम्येन तृतीयं जायते यदि पदं विदध्यात् पत्रस्य दण्डश् चक्राब्जकं कृतेः
dvitīyaprātilomyena tṛtīyaṃ jāyate yadi padaṃ vidadhyāt patrasya daṇḍaś cakrābjakaṃ kṛteḥ
যদি দ্বিতীয় বিন্যাসকে উল্টে (প্রাতিলোম্য) তৃতীয় পদ উৎপন্ন হয়, তবে সেই অনুযায়ী পদ নির্মাণ করবে। ‘পত্র’ পরিকল্পনায় ‘দণ্ড’ থাকে, আর ‘কৃতি’ পরিকল্পনায় ‘চক্রাব্জক’ (চক্র-কমল) বিন্যাস থাকে।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Constructing metrical feet and mapping them onto diagrammatic schemes (patra/daṇḍa; kṛti/cakrābjaka) using reversal operations—useful for mnemonic teaching, yantra-based visualization of chandas, and patterned composition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prātilomya-based pāda/foot construction with Patra–Daṇḍa and Kṛti–Cakrābjaka schemes","lookup_keywords":["pratilomya","pada-nirmana","patra-danda","kriti","cakrabjaka"],"quick_summary":"Explains that reversing the second pattern can generate the third metrical foot, and links feet-construction to named diagrammatic layouts (staff in patra; wheel-lotus in kṛti). Serves as a method for generating and teaching structured verse patterns."}
Concept: Parivartana (systematic transformation) as a generative principle in śāstra—new forms arise from rule-governed reversal.
Application: In teaching prosody, demonstrate how reversing a known pattern yields another; use patra/daṇḍa and cakrābjaka diagrams as memory aids.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Prosody / Pada-nirmana)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blackboard/manuscript shows a second pattern reversed to form a third metrical foot; beside it two schemata: a leaf-like 'patra' with a central staff (daṇḍa), and a wheel-lotus (cakrābjaka) with petals and spokes, each labeled with syllable groups.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large stylized patra (leaf) with a bold vertical daṇḍa, and a cakrābjaka wheel-lotus with petal ring, syllables inscribed along shapes, guru teaching students, earthy palette and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, cakrābjaka rendered with gold-leaf spokes and lotus petals, patra motif with gilded staff, scholar holding palm-leaf, ornate temple-like frame, rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, crisp instructional diagrams: (1) reversal arrow from pattern-2 to pattern-3, (2) patra with daṇḍa axis, (3) cakrābjaka wheel-lotus with labeled segments; fine linework, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s desk with two illustrated folios: one showing reversed metrical pattern, another showing wheel-lotus diagram, delicate calligraphy labels, refined interior setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वितीयप्रातिलोम्येन = द्वितीय-प्रातिलोम्येन; दण्डश् चक्राब्जकं = दण्डः चक्र-अब्जकम् (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (pāda/gaṇa construction and yantra-like schemata in adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches a technical prosodic method: deriving a metrical foot (pada) by reversing a prior pattern (prātilomya) and identifying named formations such as daṇḍa and cakrābjaka within specific schemes (patra, kṛti).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves specialized śāstric material—here, Sanskrit chandas/poetics—showing it functions as a compendium of literary science alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and other disciplines.
Indirectly, mastery of correct chandas supports accurate recitation and preservation of sacred and learned texts; such correctness is traditionally linked with purity of utterance (vāk-śuddhi) and the merit of transmitting knowledge without distortion.