Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 36
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
यथा जीमूतघोषेण हृष्यन्ति वरवारणाः तथास्तु तव शब्देन हर्षो ऽस्माकं मुदावह
yathā jīmūtaghoṣeṇa hṛṣyanti varavāraṇāḥ tathāstu tava śabdena harṣo 'smākaṃ mudāvaha
जैसे मेघ-गर्जन से श्रेष्ठ हाथी हर्षित होते हैं, वैसे ही तुम्हारे शब्द से हमारा हर्ष हो; वह हमें आनंद देने वाला हो।
Lord Agni (narrator) in a didactic-poetic framing typical of the Agni Purana’s sahitya sections
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use of simile to communicate the auspicious, joy-producing effect of sound (drum/utterance) on one’s own side; applicable to praise-poetry and ritual acclamation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jīmūta-ghoṣa-upamā: joy like elephants at thunderclouds","lookup_keywords":["upamā","jīmūta-ghoṣa","vāra-vāraṇa","harṣa","śabda"],"quick_summary":"A simile compares the delight of noble elephants hearing cloud-rumble to the joy desired from the addressed sound/utterance."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Auspicious sound (maṅgala-śabda) elevates collective mood and readiness.
Application: In ceremonies or assemblies, employ uplifting sonic cues (drum, proclamation, chant) to generate shared confidence and joy.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Poetics & Aesthetic Theory)
Primary Rasa: Hāsya
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Noble elephants in a forest rejoice as thunderclouds rumble; the scene parallels a celebratory proclamation/drum-call bringing joy to listeners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dark monsoon clouds, stylized lightning, a line of majestic elephants with raised trunks and joyful eyes; parallel panel of people rejoicing at a resonant sound.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central elephant with ornate caparison, gold highlights on raincloud edges and decorative borders; devotees/warriors smiling as a ceremonial sound is made.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined landscape with monsoon sky; elephants reacting to distant cloud-rumble; include a small vignette of a herald/drummer to show the analogy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed forest with elephants, peacocks, and rolling clouds; courtiers or soldiers in the margin responding happily to a resonant utterance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Megh Malhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथास्तु = तथा + अस्तु. हर्षोऽस्माकं = हर्षः + अस्माकं (विसर्ग-लोपः, ओऽ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya/Alamkara portions on upamā and rasa; Agni Purana Dhanurveda passages where drums/gloss are praised for troop-joy
FAQs
It illustrates a poetics principle: the intended aesthetic effect (harṣa/mudā) produced by speech through a vivid simile (upamā), showing how sound and imagery can evoke rasa-like delight.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also systematizes literary theory; this verse exemplifies how the text teaches kavya-shastra concepts—emotive impact, imagery, and stylistic devices—alongside other sciences.
It frames speech as a beneficent force: words should uplift and gladden listeners; such joy-giving, non-harmful utterance supports sattvic conduct and merits through pleasing, harmonious communication.