Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 11

Chapter 366 — सामान्यनामलिङ्गानि

Common Noun-Forms and Their Grammatical Genders

Devanagari script

वरणः शब्दनो नान्दीवादी नान्वीकरः समाः व्यसनार्तोपरक्रौ द्वौ बद्धे कीलितसंयतौ

Transliteration

varaṇaḥ śabdano nāndīvādī nānvīkaraḥ samāḥ vyasanārtoparakrau dvau baddhe kīlitasaṃyatau

Translation

« Varaṇa », « Śabdana », « Nandīvādī » et « Nānvīkara » sont des termes synonymes. De même, le couple « Vyasanārta » et « Uparakrau » est synonyme ; et le couple « Baddha » et « Kīlita » l’est aussi (pareillement, « Saṃyata » possède un équivalent).

Word by Word

• वरणः: ‘varaṇa’ (a term/synonym)
• वरणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (पर्यायवाचक-शब्दः)

• शब्दनः: noisy one
• शब्दनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नान्दी-वादी: one who speaks praises/benedictions
• नान्दी-वादी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नान्दी (प्रातिपदिक) + वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (नान्दीं वदति/नान्द्याः वादी)

• नान्वीकरः: ‘nānvikara’ (a term/synonym)
• नान्वीकरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नान्वीकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• समाः: are synonymous/equivalent
• समाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण; अर्थे ‘समानार्थकाः’

• व्यसन-आर्त-उपरक्रौ: ‘vyasanārta’ and ‘uparakra’ (two terms)
• व्यसन-आर्त-उपरक्रौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यसन (प्रातिपदिक) + आर्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + उपरक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वः (व्यसनार्तः च उपरक्रः च)

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषण

• बद्धे: in the bound (state/person)
• बद्धे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बद्ध (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; बन्ध्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• कीलित-संयतौ: in the pinned and restrained (states)
• कीलित-संयतौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीलित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + संयत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः

Speaker

Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing Vasiṣṭha)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Kosha-style equivalence mapping for rare/technical synonyms (including paired synonyms), aiding commentators and poets in decoding/choosing uncommon vocabulary.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Synonym sets and paired equivalences (nighaṇṭu-style)","lookup_keywords":["varaṇa","śabdana","nandīvādī","vyasanārta","baddha"],"quick_summary":"Presents synonym clusters and paired equivalents, a nighaṇṭu method that supports quick lexical lookup and consistent semantic interpretation across texts."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Systematizing language knowledge through lists to stabilize meaning in transmission.

Application: Use as a reference grid when encountering uncommon epithets in kavya/purana; prevents mistranslation by anchoring to synonym sets.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Nighaṇṭu / Synonyms and Lexicography)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: śānta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lexicon page shows grouped synonyms and paired terms; a teacher points to two-column pairings, while students copy them onto palm leaves.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gurukula scene with palm-leaf copying, large stylized manuscript page showing synonym clusters and paired words, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate manuscript with gold borders, acharya indicating paired synonyms with a stylus, students seated in rows, decorative floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic two-column synonym chart, calm classroom setting, emphasis on legibility and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scriptorium scene with scholars comparing word lists, illuminated margins, careful depiction of writing tools and paper."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यसनार्तोपरक्रौ = व्यसन-आर्त-उपरक्रौ (द्वन्द्व); कीलितसंयतौ = कीलित-संयतौ

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra: kośa/nighaṇṭu prakaraṇa (chapter 366 context)

Characters & Entities

• Agni Purana
• Sanskrit lexicography (Nighaṇṭu)
• Nānārtha-śabda

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

Lexicographic knowledge (nighaṇṭu-vidyā): the verse gives synonym-pairs and equivalent word-forms used for precise Sanskrit usage in composition, recitation, and interpretation.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

By preserving a compact thesaurus of Sanskrit terms and variants, it supports multiple disciplines—ritual manuals, dharma texts, and kāvya—where exact word-choice and interpretation of rare forms is essential.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Correct understanding and usage of sacred language aids accurate recitation and transmission of śāstra; linguistic precision is treated as supportive to dharma and the faithful preservation of revelation and tradition.