Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 51
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
तृतीयं तुर्यपादान्ते प्रथमौ सदृशावुभौ वर्णौ पादत्रयस्यापि दशमः सदृशो यदि
tṛtīyaṃ turyapādānte prathamau sadṛśāvubhau varṇau pādatrayasyāpi daśamaḥ sadṛśo yadi
If, at the end of the fourth pāda, the third syllable from the end is the same, and if in the first three pādas the first two syllables are alike, and if the tenth syllable (counted within the pāda) is also identical, then the verse is to be recognized by that metrical pattern.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Chandas-pariksha: diagnosing/identifying a metre by checking fixed syllable-identity constraints across pādas for correct composition and editorial verification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pāda-sāmya-lakṣaṇa (metrical identification by repeated syllable positions)","lookup_keywords":["chandas-pariksha","pada-samya","dashama-varna","turyapada-anta","lakshana"],"quick_summary":"A verse is recognized by a diagnostic pattern: specific syllables at fixed positions (including the 10th) must match across pādas. Useful for metre identification and for checking whether a composed śloka conforms to its intended chandas."}
Concept: Niṣṭhā in śabda-śāstra through niyama (rule) and parīkṣā (verification).
Application: Apply positional checks to validate metre before recitation, inscription, or teaching.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody and metrical diagnostics)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar compares four pādas of a verse, marking identical syllable positions (first two, tenth, and third-from-end in the fourth pāda) on a palm-leaf manuscript.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, scholar in traditional attire seated with palm-leaf manuscript, stylus, ink pot, four pādas written in Malayalam-script-like calligraphy motifs, highlighting repeated syllable positions with red marks, warm earthy palette, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated vidvān with palm-leaf bundle and stylus, ornate border, gold-leaf accents on the marked syllable positions and manuscript edges, rich reds and greens, temple interior backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional diagram showing four pādas in rows with highlighted first-two syllables and the tenth syllable, delicate lines, muted pastel palette, minimal background, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly library scene with a poet and assistant, manuscript open showing four pādas with tiny red circles on diagnostic syllables, fine detailing, architectural niche background, subdued elegance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुर्यपादान्ते = तुर्य-पाद-अन्ते; पादत्रयस्यापि = पाद-त्रयस्य अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (Chandas/Chandovicāra section); Agni Purana 343 (continuation of sāhitya topics, if present in the recension)
FAQs
A chandas (prosody) diagnostic: it teaches how to recognize a metrical type by checking specific syllable positions—similarity of the first two syllables across the first three pādas, and matching syllables at defined positions near the end of the fourth pāda and at the tenth position.
Beyond mythology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves technical śāstric knowledge; here it functions like a handbook of Sanskrit literary science (sāhitya/poetics), giving rule-based criteria to classify metres used in classical composition and recitation.
Correct metrical knowledge supports accurate chanting and refined textual transmission; in the Purāṇic worldview, precision in recitation and composition is tied to preserving dharma and accruing merit through faultless learning and teaching.