Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 15
Chapter 366 — सामान्यनामलिङ्गानि
Common Noun-Forms and Their Grammatical Genders
श्रेयान् श्रेष्ठः पुष्कलः स्यात्प्राग्र्याग्र्यग्रीयमग्रिमं वड्रोरु विपुलं पीनपीव्नी तु स्थूलपीवरे
śreyān śreṣṭhaḥ puṣkalaḥ syātprāgryāgryagrīyamagrimaṃ vaḍroru vipulaṃ pīnapīvnī tu sthūlapīvare
‘Śreyān’, ‘śreṣṭha’, dan ‘puṣkala’ dipakai dalam arti “unggul/terbaik”. ‘Prāgrya’, ‘agr ya’, ‘agrīya’, dan ‘agrima’ bermakna “terdepan/pertama”. ‘Vaḍroru’ dan ‘vipula’ berarti “lebar/luas”. ‘Pīna’ dan ‘pīvnī’ untuk “berisi/berdaging”, sedangkan ‘sthūla’ dan ‘pīvara’ untuk “gemuk/bertubuh besar”.
Lord Agni (teaching a compendium of vocabulary in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Lexical precision for composition and commentary: selecting exact synonyms for excellence, precedence, breadth, and corpulence in poetry, prose, and technical description.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Paryāya-kośa: Synonyms for excellence, foremostness, breadth, and stoutness","lookup_keywords":["śreyān-śreṣṭha-puṣkala","agrima-prāgrya","vipula","pīna-pīvara","sthūla"],"quick_summary":"Provides synonym clusters for key descriptive meanings. Useful for poets, commentators, and physicians describing constitution or appearance with nuance."}
Dosha: Kapha
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Lexicography / Synonyms and Nighaṇṭu-style vocabulary)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe compiles a synonym table on palm leaves; beside him stand exemplar figures: a 'foremost' leader, a broad-shouldered person, and a stout person, each labeled with synonym clusters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar-scribe with palm-leaf manuscript, four labeled clusters in stylized script, exemplar figures with traditional attire, warm ochres and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central manuscript with gold-highlighted headings (śreyān, agrima, vipula, pīvara), side figures as exemplars, ornate frame and gilding","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart aesthetic, neat Devanagari labels, calm indoor scholarly setting, subtle shading on exemplar body-types","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with calligrapher and assistants, marginal illustrations of 'foremost' noble and stout figure, fine detailing and pastel palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात्प्राग्र्य... = स्यात् + प्राग्र्य... (त् + प्). पीनपीव्नी is split as पीन + पीव्नी (paired adjectives). स्थूलपीवरे is split as स्थूल + पीवरे (paired adjectives).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra lexicon sections (paryāya lists) contiguous to this passage; Agni Purana Ayurveda sections where bodily descriptors (sthūla/pīvara) appear in prakṛti-lakṣaṇa
FAQs
This verse imparts kośa-vidyā (lexicographic knowledge): it groups Sanskrit adjectives into synonym-sets used for precise composition, explanation, and interpretation.
By preserving synonym-lists and semantic groupings, the Agni Purana functions as a reference manual not only for ritual and dharma but also for linguistic and literary competence—supporting study, commentary, and poetic composition.
While not a ritual injunction, correct understanding and usage of sacred language supports accurate recitation, teaching, and transmission of dharma-texts, which is traditionally regarded as meritorious and protective against interpretive error.