Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 9
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
स्त्रियां शृणिस्त्वङ्कुशो ऽस्त्री परिस्तोमः कुथो द्वयोः कर्णीरथः प्रवहणं दोला प्रेङ्खादिका स्त्रियां
striyāṃ śṛṇistvaṅkuśo 'strī paristomaḥ kutho dvayoḥ karṇīrathaḥ pravahaṇaṃ dolā preṅkhādikā striyāṃ
« Śṛṇi » (louche) est féminin. « Aṅkuśa » (aiguillon) n’est pas féminin (il est masculin). « Paristoma » et « kutha » relèvent de deux genres (masculin et neutre). « Karṇīratha » et « pravahaṇa » désignent des véhicules/chariots. « Dolā » (balançoire/palanquin) et « preṅkhā » et autres semblables sont féminins.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in an encyclopedic, lexicographic register)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Correct grammatical gender and lexical usage for precise Sanskrit composition, recitation, and technical writing (including military and material culture terms).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gender and synonym notes for select nouns (śṛṇi, aṅkuśa, paristoma, kutha, dolā, preṅkhā)","lookup_keywords":["śṛṇi strīliṅga","aṅkuśa puṃliṅga","paristoma ubhayaliṅga","kutha ubhayaliṅga","dolā preṅkhā strīliṅga"],"quick_summary":"Gives lexicographic rules: śṛṇi is feminine; aṅkuśa is non-feminine; paristoma and kutha are used in two genders; karṇīratha/pravahaṇa denote vehicles; dolā and preṅkhā are feminine."}
Concept: Language-discipline: correctness of words (śabda) as a foundation for all applied sciences.
Application: Avoid errors in ritual manuals, technical treatises, and poetry by adhering to liṅga and accepted synonymy.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana / Shabda-kosha (Lexicography: gendered noun-forms and synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar teaching students with a word-list board showing nouns and their genders; nearby are depicted objects: ladle, elephant-goad, cloth/covering, carts, swing/palanquin.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guru with palm-leaf manuscript; students seated; stylized icons of śṛṇi (ladle), aṅkuśa (goad), dolā (swing) arranged with feminine/masculine markers; bold outlines, flat composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate classroom scene with gold-leaf borders; a central manuscript panel lists the words; surrounding gold-highlighted objects (goad, swing, cart) as visual mnemonics.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean pedagogical chart—two columns for strī/puṃ/napuṃ/ubhayaliṅga; small object drawings beside each term; restrained palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: madrasa-like Sanskrit pāṭhaśālā; teacher points to a board of words; attendants bring aṅkuśa and a dolā model; intricate interior details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शृणिः + तु → शृणिस्तु; अङ्कुशः + अस्त्री → अङ्कुशो 'स्त्री (विसर्ग-लोप/ओ-आदेश)
Related Themes: Agni Purana nighaṇṭu/nāmamālā-style chapters listing synonyms and genders; Agni Purana sections on chandas/alaṃkāra that presuppose śabda-śuddhi
FAQs
It imparts grammatical-lexicographic knowledge: the correct linga (gender) and usage classification of specific nouns (e.g., feminine, non-feminine, and dual-gender terms) used in Sanskrit.
Alongside ritual, polity, and medicine, the Agni Purana also preserves practical linguistic tools—lists of words with gender and meaning—functioning like a compact Sanskrit glossary for accurate reading, composition, and recitation.
Correct linguistic usage supports accurate transmission of scripture and mantra-based learning; preserving and reciting texts without grammatical confusion is traditionally regarded as aiding purity of study (svādhyāya) and faithful preservation of dharma-literature.