Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
एकाशीत्याथवा सूत्रैस्त्रिंशताप्पष्टयुक्तया शरीरोन्मादवायव इति घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः स्वधाभुजामिति ख, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः गुहो रविरिति ख, ग, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकचतुष्टयपाठः सदेश इति ख, ग, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः पञ्चाशता वा कर्तव्यं तुल्यग्रन्थ्यन्तरालकं
ekāśītyāthavā sūtraistriṃśatāppaṣṭayuktayā śarīronmādavāyava iti gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ svadhābhujāmiti kha, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ guho raviriti kha, ga, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakacatuṣṭayapāṭhaḥ sadeśa iti kha, ga, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ pañcāśatā vā kartavyaṃ tulyagranthyantarālakaṃ
Ou bien il doit y avoir quatre-vingt-un sūtras, ou (autrement) trente sūtras avec soixante-cinq (de plus). Dans le manuscrit marqué, la leçon est « śarīronmāda-vāyava » (notée ‘gha’) ; dans trois manuscrits marqués, la leçon est « svadhābhujām » (kha, gha, ṅa) ; dans quatre manuscrits marqués, la leçon est « guho raviḥ » (kha, ga, gha, ṅa) ; et dans le manuscrit marqué, la leçon est « sadeśaḥ » (kha, ga, gha, ṅa). Ou bien on doit en faire cinquante (unités), avec des intervalles égaux entre les nœuds/sections du texte (granthi), c’est-à-dire des divisions régulièrement espacées.
Lord Agni (traditional frame: Agni instructing Vasiṣṭha; here preserving a technical textual/prosodic note with manuscript variants)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Text-critical and prosodic/structural counting guidance: how many sūtras/units to arrange, and how to normalize variant readings across manuscripts while keeping equal section-divisions (granthi).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sūtra-saṅkhyā and pāṭha-bheda: manuscript variants and granthi-intervals","lookup_keywords":["sūtra-saṅkhyā","pāṭha-bheda","granthi","manuscript reading","chandas"],"quick_summary":"Records alternative total counts for sūtras/units and preserves variant readings from different marked manuscripts; also prescribes equal spacing of textual divisions (granthi) when restructuring into 50 units."}
Concept: Śāstra is stabilized by saṅkhyā (count), pāṭha-niyama (controlled reading), and orderly vibhāga (division).
Application: When teaching/reciting or copying, choose a consistent sūtra-count, document variants, and keep evenly spaced section breaks for memorization and transmission.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody and Sūtra-counting conventions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe and teacher comparing multiple palm-leaf manuscripts with marginal symbols (kha/ga/gha/ṅa), noting variant phrases, while a diagram shows 81 vs (30+65) vs 50 units with evenly spaced granthi markers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, warm ochres, a guru in a pāṭhaśālā holding palm leaves, students pointing to variant readings marked with letter-signs, a side panel showing counted sūtra beads and evenly spaced knots (granthi)","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate desk with palm-leaf manuscripts, gold-highlighted marginal markers kha-ga-gha-ṅa, a central scroll showing numbers 81, 30+65, 50, symmetrical layout emphasizing order","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional manuscript-study scene, clear depiction of palm-leaf bundles with labeled variants, a neat counting chart for sūtra totals and equal granthi intervals, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars in a library comparing codices, fine calligraphy of variant phrases, a counting table in the margin, detailed textiles and bookstands"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एकाशीत्याथवा = एकाशीत्या अथवा; सूत्रैस्त्रिंशता = सूत्रैः त्रिंशता; (पाठभेद-सूचनाः ‘ख/ग/घ/ङ’ इत्यादयः पाण्डुलिपि-संकेताः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra/Chandas portions discussing sūtra counts and textual organization; Agni Purana sections that list meters and define sūtra-lakṣaṇa (general)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule for enumerating/arranging sūtras (81, or 30+65, or 50 units) and notes variant manuscript readings used in establishing the correct textual form.
Beyond theology, it preserves śāstric editorial/prosodic conventions—how sections are counted, divided (granthi), and how variant readings are recorded—showing the Purāṇa’s compilation of technical knowledge.
Indirectly, accurate transmission and orderly division of sacred instruction (sūtra/granthi) is treated as preserving dharma: correct readings support correct recitation, study, and application of the Purāṇic teachings.