Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 52
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
प्रथमे चरमे तस्य षड्तर्णाः पथिमे यदि भवन्ति द्व्यन्तरं तर्हि वृहच्च क्रमुदाहृतं
prathame carame tasya ṣaḍtarṇāḥ pathime yadi bhavanti dvyantaraṃ tarhi vṛhacca kramudāhṛtaṃ
If, in the first and the last quarter of that metre, each pāda contains six tāra-units (countable mātrā/beat units), and in the middle there is a separation of two units, then that metrical arrangement is declared to be the ‘Vṛhat’ as well as the ‘Krama’ pattern.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Matra-chandas identification and composition: counting mātrā/tāra-units per pāda and recognizing named patterns (Vṛhat/Krama) for correct poetic and performative delivery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vṛhat–Krama mātrā-chandas lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["matra-chandas","tara-units","vrihat","krama","pada-matra"],"quick_summary":"Defines a mātrā-based metre: first and last pādas carry six tāra-units each, with a two-unit separation in the middle. This rule helps poets and reciters keep rhythmic integrity."}
Concept: Saṅkhyā (count) as a tool for śabda-siddhi (correct verbal form) in chandas.
Application: Use mātrā-counting to compose/teach metres and to maintain tala-like steadiness in recitation.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Prosody (Sanskrit Metrics / Pingala-style Matra-Chandas)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher demonstrates mātrā-counting on a board/manuscript: first and last pādas marked with six beat-units, and a central gap of two units labeled as the defining feature of Vṛhat/Krama.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru pointing to a rhythmic diagram of pādas with bead-like mātrā marks, students seated, earthy reds/ochres, stylized palm-leaf manuscript enlarged as a teaching panel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru with veena-like rhythmic association, gold-highlighted mātrā beads over the written pādas, ornate frame, devotional-academic ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional chart: four pādas with six mātrā symbols on first and last, two-unit separation in the middle, fine linework, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature classroom in a kitabkhana, scholar counting beats with fingers, manuscript showing mātrā dots, delicate textiles and architectural arches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षड्तर्णाः interpreted as षट्-वर्णाः (orthographic/printing variant). क्रमुदाहृतं = क्रमम् उदाहृतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (mātrā and vṛtta diagnostics nearby verses)
FAQs
It teaches a precise metrical rule in Sanskrit prosody: how to identify the Vṛhat/Krama pattern by counting six tāra (mātrā/beat) units in the first and last pādas with a two-unit interval in the middle.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies technical śāstras; here it preserves chandas-śāstra (metrics), a core tool for composing, analyzing, and reciting Sanskrit poetry and scripture.
Correct chandas supports accurate recitation and transmission of sacred texts; maintaining proper metre is traditionally seen as preserving śabda-śuddhi (purity of sound) and the efficacy of liturgical chanting.