Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 327 — छन्दःसारः
Chandas-sāra: The Essence of Metres
उपाध्मानीयतो दीर्घो गुरुर्ग्लौ नौ गणाविह वसवोष्टौ च चत्वारो वेदादित्यादिलोपतः
upādhmānīyato dīrgho gururglau nau gaṇāviha vasavoṣṭau ca catvāro vedādityādilopataḥ
A partir del upadhmānīya (el visarga especial ante sonidos labiales), una vocal larga se considera guru (sílaba pesada). Aquí, los gaṇas (tríadas métricas) se denominan glau y nau. Los Vasus son ocho, los labios dos y los cuartos (direcciones) cuatro—esto se indica suprimiendo las sílabas iniciales en palabras como «veda» y «āditya».
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Chandas","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Scanning Sanskrit metres by correctly classifying syllable weight (guru/laghu) and recalling gaṇa-names via mnemonic elisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Upadhmānīya-based guru rule and gaṇa mnemonic (glau/nau)","lookup_keywords":["upadhmānīya","guru-laghu","gaṇa","glau","nau"],"quick_summary":"Treat a long vowel as guru when conditioned by upadhmānīya; remember specific gaṇa labels (glau, nau) and numeric facts (8 Vasus, 2 lips, 4 quarters) through initial-syllable elision mnemonics."}
Concept: Śabda-śāstra precision: phonetic markers and mnemonic devices preserve metrical knowledge.
Application: Use phonetic rules and compact mnemonics to ensure correct recitation, composition, and metrical verification.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Vyakarana (Prosody/Grammar in Sahitya-shastra)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traditional paṇḍita teaches students metrical gaṇas on a palm-leaf manuscript, pointing to symbols for guru/laghu and the terms glau and nau; mnemonic numbers (8,2,4) appear as diagrammatic cues.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a seated guru with palm-leaf manuscript, students in attentive poses, stylized Sanskrit akṣaras ‘ग्लौ’ ‘नौ’, diagram of 8 Vasus, 2 lips, 4 directions, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate frame and gold leaf accents, guru and disciples with palm-leaf and stylus, highlighted Sanskrit syllables ‘ग्लौ’ ‘नौ’ in gold, symbolic icons for Vasus and four quarters, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional tableau with clear labels for guru/laghu, small chart of gaṇas, subtle pastel background, scholarly ambience","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly classroom scene, detailed textiles and manuscripts, calligraphic cartouche showing ‘ग्लौ’ ‘नौ’, marginalia with numeric mnemonic (8/2/4), delicate brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुरुर्ग्लौ → गुरुः ग्लौ; गणाविह → गणौ इह; वसवोष्टौ → वसवः अष्टौ; वेदादित्यादिलोपतः → वेद-आदित्य-आदि-लोपतः (समास/सन्धि-विग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 327 (Chandaḥ-sāra: gaṇa/laghu-guru rules); Agni Purana 328 (Chandaḥ-sāra: Vedic metres and expansions)
FAQs
It teaches a chandas (prosody) rule: syllable-weight determination around the upadhmānīya, and it records gaṇa nomenclature (glau, nau) plus mnemonic counting (Vasus=8, lips=2, quarters=4) used in metrical/phonetic instruction.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves technical śāstra material—here, Sanskrit phonetics and prosody—showing its role as a compendium that includes linguistic sciences alongside ritual, polity, and arts.
Correct prosody and phonetic recitation supports accurate mantra/śāstra transmission; preserving correct sound-structure is traditionally regarded as meritorious because it safeguards Vedic and Purāṇic learning.