Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 43
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
प्राक्पदस्यान्तिमं प्रत्यक् पादादौ प्रातिलोम्यतः अन्त्यपादान्तिमञ्चाद्यपादादावक्षरद्वयं
prākpadasyāntimaṃ pratyak pādādau prātilomyataḥ antyapādāntimañcādyapādādāvakṣaradvayaṃ
पाद के आरंभ में क्रम उलटकर पूर्ववर्ती पद का अंतिम अक्षर लेना चाहिए; तथा अंतिम पाद का अंतिम अक्षर भी (लेना चाहिए)। इस प्रकार प्रथम पाद के आरंभ में दो अक्षर (युग्म) होते हैं।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Applying reversal/retrograde pāda-linking rules in metrical composition or analysis: carrying over final syllables from adjacent pādas to determine initial syllable pairs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prātilomya Pāda-Linking: Using Previous/Last Pāda Finals as Initial Syllables","lookup_keywords":["prātilomya","pāda-ādi","antima-akṣara","chandas-procedure","pāda-sandhi"],"quick_summary":"Gives a method for pāda-initial determination by reversing order: take the final syllable of the preceding pāda, and also the final syllable of the last pāda—yielding a two-syllable start for the first pāda in the scheme."}
Concept: Krama (sequence) can be manipulated (prātilomya) to reveal hidden structure; disciplined constraints generate coherence.
Application: In composing constrained metres or patterned verses, use prescribed carry-over syllables to maintain the intended cyclic linkage across pādas.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas/Prosody and Pada-analysis)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic showing four pādas in a loop: arrows from each pāda’s final syllable to the next pāda’s beginning, and an arrow from the last pāda’s final syllable back to the first pāda’s start, forming a two-syllable initial pair.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized circular diagram of four pādas with arrows, palm-leaf manuscript aesthetic, teacher indicating the backward linkage (prātilomya), earthy tones and temple-school setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: decorative circular prosody chart with gold-highlighted arrows linking pāda endings to beginnings, scholar-scribe motif, rich reds and greens, embossed manuscript frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: crisp instructional chart—four pāda boxes, highlighted antima-akṣaras, arrows showing reversal, small Sanskrit labels 'antima' 'ādi' 'prātilomya'.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a diagram on paper held by a scholar, fine arrows and annotations, elegant border, subdued palette with precise linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राक्पदस्य = प्राक् + पदस्य; पदस्यान्तिमं = पदस्य + अन्तिमम्; पादादौ = पाद + आदौ; अन्त्यपादान्तिमञ्च = अन्त्यपादान्तिमम् + च; आद्यपादादावक्षरद्वयं = आद्यपादादौ + अक्षरद्वयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (continued chandas/pāda-lakṣaṇa rules)
FAQs
It teaches a technical prosodic procedure: in metrical/pada analysis, syllables may be identified or supplied by a reverse-order (prātiloma) rule linking the end of a preceding unit (pada/pāda) to the beginning of another.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana codifies literary-technical disciplines like chandas (prosody), showing it functions as a compendium that includes methods for verse construction, parsing, and metrical correctness.
While primarily technical, correct chandas and accurate recitation support faultless mantra/śāstra transmission; precision in syllables is traditionally held to preserve efficacy (śakti) and avoid errors (doṣa) in sacred learning.