Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 20
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
दृष्टिवक्त्रविचेष्टितैर् इति ग , घ , छ , झ , ञ च स्वचरैर् इति ज विफले इति घ , झ , ञ च पौराद्याश्चोपकुर्वन्ति संश्रयादिह दुर्दिनं तूष्णीं युद्धं जनत्राणं मित्रामित्रपरिग्रहः
dṛṣṭivaktraviceṣṭitair iti ga , gha , cha , jha , ña ca svacarair iti ja viphale iti gha , jha , ña ca paurādyāścopakurvanti saṃśrayādiha durdinaṃ tūṣṇīṃ yuddhaṃ janatrāṇaṃ mitrāmitraparigrahaḥ
‘દૃષ્ટિ-વક્ત્ર-વિચેષ્ટિતૈઃ’ દ્વારા ગ, ઘ, છ, ઝ, ઞ અક્ષરો સૂચિત છે; ‘સ્વચરૈઃ’ દ્વારા જ અક્ષર; અને ‘વિફલે’ દ્વારા ઘ, ઝ, ઞ અક્ષરો સૂચિત છે. વધુમાં, આશ્રયના કારણે નગરવાસી વગેરે અહીં સહાય કરે છે—આપત્તિમાં, મૌનમાં, યુદ્ધમાં, જનરક્ષણમાં, અને મિત્ર-અમિત્ર ગ્રહણમાં।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purana dialog frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Mnemonic/lexicographic encoding of phonemes (varṇa-saṅketa) for grammatical/phonetic instruction, alongside a nīti-list of situations where dependents/clients (āśritas) render aid or seek refuge (calamity, war, etc.).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Varṇa-saṅketa (Letter-Coding) and Āśraya-Nīti Situations","lookup_keywords":["dṛṣṭi-vaktra-viceṣṭitaiḥ","ga gha cha jha ña","svacaraiḥ ja","viphale gha jha ña","āpada yuddha janatrāṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a compact code mapping phrases to specific consonants, and lists contexts (calamity, silence/secret counsel, war, public protection, friend–foe alignment) in which townsmen and dependents act based on refuge/obligation."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic emphasis)
Concept: Knowledge as operational coding: precise control of sound (varṇa) and precise classification of civic-political situations for action.
Application: Use as a teaching aid for phonetics/grammar; in governance, maintain protocols for secrecy, wartime mobilization, and alliance management.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Vyakarana: phonetics/linguistics and lexicography-style lists)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-scribe points to a phonetic chart highlighting ga/gha/cha/jha/ña and ja; beside it, a civic scene of townsmen assisting during calamity and war, with secret counsel (silence) and alliance banners for friend/foe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-register composition: upper—guru with palm-leaf manuscript and varṇa chart (ga gha cha jha ña, ja); lower—townspeople bringing supplies during durdina, soldiers assembling for yuddha, a silent council scene; bold colors, stylized gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated guru with gold-foil halo, ornate manuscript showing consonant groups; side vignettes: war mobilization, relief to citizens, alliance exchange; rich gold detailing and temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional board with Sanskrit letters, arrows mapping phrases to varṇas; adjacent narrative panels for tūṣṇīm (secret meeting), yuddha drill, janatrāṇa (public protection); fine lines, subdued palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like lesson with calligraphic consonants, then bustling city scene: townsmen aiding refugees, soldiers marching, envoys negotiating alliances; intricate architecture and naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पौराद्याश्चोपकुर्वन्ति = पौराद्याः + च + उपकुर्वन्ति. संश्रयादिह = संश्रयात् + इह. Verse contains editorial letter-labels (ग, घ, छ, झ, ञ, ज) treated as indeclinable markers.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on chandas/śikṣā/vyākaraṇa lists; Rājadharma passages on mitra-amitra and āpada-yuddha
FAQs
It gives a technical, grammar-style mapping of certain quoted word-forms to specific consonants (varṇas), and then lists civic/political contexts in which citizens and others provide assistance—useful for linguistic classification and practical governance vocabulary.
In a single verse it moves from phonetic/lexical notation (a Vyākaraṇa-type register of varṇas) to social–political realities (public support in calamity, war, and protection of people), showing how the Agni Purana compiles both linguistic science and rajadharma-style civic principles.
By emphasizing protection of people, refuge, and proper alignment of allies and adversaries in crisis, it supports dharmic social order; aiding others in duḥkha and safeguarding society is traditionally treated as merit-bearing (puṇya) conduct.