Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
चतुर्दशसमद्वन्द्वः षोडशाक्षयश् च शस्यते धर्मार्थकामसंयुक्तो धर्मो ह्य् एकाधिको मतः
caturdaśasamadvandvaḥ ṣoḍaśākṣayaś ca śasyate dharmārthakāmasaṃyukto dharmo hy ekādhiko mataḥ
両半句が等しく、それぞれ十四音節から成る韻律が推奨され、また別の形では十六音節をもつものとして称揚される。作品がダルマ（dharma）・アルタ（artha）・カーマ（kāma）と結びつくとき、ダルマが一段優位と見なされる。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides composition/selection of metres (14-syllable even halves; also 16-syllable form) and gives a dharma-centric value hierarchy for composing didactic, ritual, or courtly verses.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Samavṛtta guidance (14/16 syllables) & Purushārtha hierarchy in composition","lookup_keywords":["chandas","samavṛtta","caturdaśa","ṣoḍaśākṣara","dharma-artha-kāma"],"quick_summary":"Recommends an even-pāda metre of fourteen syllables (and praises a sixteen-syllable form). In works combining dharma, artha, and kāma, dharma should predominate."}
Concept: Among the puruṣārthas when jointly treated, dharma is to be regarded as predominant (ekādhika).
Application: Compose praise, policy, or mantra-adjacent verses so that pleasure and utility remain subordinate to ethical duty.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Mantra-śāstra (Prosody / Metrical Science)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned teacher instructs students on prosody with palm-leaf manuscripts; a board shows 14- and 16-syllable pāda counts; beside it, a symbolic scale where dharma outweighs artha and kāma by one measure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru in a traditional pāṭhaśālā, students seated, palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized syllable marks in a panel, dharma-artha-kāma symbols with dharma slightly larger, warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated guru with manuscript, ornate arch, gold leaf on manuscript edges and syllable-count panel, three puruṣārtha emblems with dharma highlighted in gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: grid of syllables (14 and 16), teacher pointing with stylus, subtle decorative borders, emphasis on clarity and pedagogy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scholarly scene, calligrapher and poet discussing metre, marginal notes showing 14/16 counts, refined textiles, balanced indoor setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षोडशाक्षयश् = षोडशाक्षयः; धर्मो ह्य् = धर्मः + हि (विसर्गसन्धि); धर्मार्थकामसंयुक्तः = धर्म-अर्थ-काम-संयुक्तः (समास/सन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana chandas/alaṅkāra prakaraṇas on metres and poetic faults/qualities; Agni Purana dharma sections on puruṣārtha balance
FAQs
It gives chandas-vidyā guidance: a metrical rule describing an even/balanced two-part structure with fourteen syllables per half, and another praised form with sixteen syllables—used for composing regulated Sanskrit verse.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves śāstric arts like chandas and kāvya theory; this verse exemplifies its coverage of technical literary science alongside ethical doctrine.
It frames literary composition as value-guided: even when poetry addresses artha and kāma, dharma should remain slightly predominant, aligning expression with merit (puṇya) and right conduct.