Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
अथवार्कचतुर्विंशषड्त्रिंशन्मालिका द्विजः अनामामध्यमाङ्गुष्ठैर् मन्दाद्यैः मालिकार्थिभिः
athavārkacaturviṃśaṣaḍtriṃśanmālikā dvijaḥ anāmāmadhyamāṅguṣṭhair mandādyaiḥ mālikārthibhiḥ
Kini, wahai dvija: rangkaian metrum Mālikā bertakaran dua puluh empat dan tiga puluh enam. Para pencari Mālikā hendaknya memahaminya dan menyusunnya melalui hitungan ukuran jari—bermula dari manda—dengan jari manis (anāmā), jari tengah (madhyamā), dan ibu jari (aṅguṣṭha).
Lord Agni (narrating the encyclopedic disciplines to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Identify/construct Mālikā metrical patterns using prescribed mātrā/akṣara counts and finger-counting (tāla-like) methods for composition and recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mālikā-chandas (24/36 Units) and Finger-Measure Method","lookup_keywords":["malika-chandas","prosody","24","36","angushtha"],"quick_summary":"Defines the Mālikā metrical series as built from 24 and 36 units, to be grasped through finger-count measures (namā, madhyamā, aṅguṣṭha) and rhythmic categories beginning with manda."}
Concept: Systematic knowledge of chandas enables accurate transmission of sacred and literary speech.
Application: Use finger-counting to check mātrā totals while composing/reciting, ensuring metrical correctness.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas and Prosody: mālikā-metre patterns)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher instructs a student in Mālikā meter, counting rhythmic units on fingers (thumb, middle finger, etc.), with a palm-leaf prosody chart showing 24 and 36 unit patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and śिष्य seated with palm-leaf manuscript, hands prominently showing finger-counting, stylized prosody symbols, warm temple-school ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, scholarly scene with gold-embellished manuscript borders, guru demonstrating finger-counting for meter, student holding stylus, decorative frame and halo-like backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear pedagogical composition: finger positions labeled, 24/36 unit grid on manuscript, calm classroom setting, fine lines and soft colors for instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, literary salon: poet-teacher counting meter on fingers, scribe noting 24/36 patterns, detailed textiles and bookstand, refined facial expressions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: athavā + arka- → athavārka-; aṅguṣṭhaiḥ (visarga sandhi in recitation) written as अङ्गुष्ठैर्; ṣaḍ + triṃśan- → ṣaṭtriṃśan- (assimilation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (Sāhitya-śāstra: chandas/prastāra context)
FAQs
It teaches a chandas (prosody) rule: how Mālikā-type metres are defined by specific counts (noted here as 24 and 36) and verified via a traditional finger-counting method using the thumb, middle, and ring fingers with measures beginning from “manda.”
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves technical śāstras; this verse is part of its Sanskrit literary science section, documenting practical metrical theory used in composing and analyzing kāvya.
Mastery of correct chandas supports accurate recitation and refined composition; in the Purāṇic view, disciplined speech and properly measured verse aid clarity, preserve tradition, and are treated as meritorious learning (vidyā-dāna/adhyayana).