Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 47
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
पटुस्तु पेशलो दक्षो मृगयुर्लुब्धकः स्मृतः चाण्डालस्तु दिवाकीर्तिः पुस्तं लेप्यादिकर्मणि
paṭustu peśalo dakṣo mṛgayurlubdhakaḥ smṛtaḥ cāṇḍālastu divākīrtiḥ pustaṃ lepyādikarmaṇi
‘ಪಟು’, ‘ಪೇಶಲ’, ‘ದಕ್ಷ’ ಎಂಬ ಪದಗಳು ನಿಪುಣ/ಕುಶಲ ಅರ್ಥದಲ್ಲಿ. ಬೇಟೆಗಾರನು ‘ಮೃಗಯು’ ಹಾಗೂ ‘ಲುಬ್ಧಕ’ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುವನು. ‘ಚಾಂಡಾಲ’ನಿಗೆ ‘ದಿವಾಕೀರ್ತಿ’ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರೂ ಇದೆ. ‘ಪುಸ್ತಂ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಲೇಪನಾದಿ ಪ್ಲಾಸ್ಟರ್/ಲೇಪ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in an encyclopedic, glossary-like section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Lexicographic synonymy for precise word-choice in composition, commentary, and administrative writing; also aids learners in semantic equivalence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Synonyms: skilled person, hunter, cāṇḍāla epithet, and ‘pustam’ (plastering)","lookup_keywords":["paṭu","peśala","dakṣa","mṛgayu lubdhaka","pustam lepa"],"quick_summary":"Defines common synonym sets (paṭu/peśala/dakṣa; mṛgayu/lubdhaka) and gives specialized senses (pustam for plastering/coating work), serving as a compact śabda-kośa entry."}
Alamkara Type: Paryāyokti (synonymic expression)
Concept: Śabda-pramāṇa in worldly knowledge: correct naming and synonymy as a tool for learning and communication.
Application: Improves comprehension of texts and accuracy in drafting, teaching, and commentary by mapping multiple words to one meaning and noting technical senses.
Khanda Section: Nighaṇṭu / Śabda-kośa (Lexicography and Synonyms)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher in a gurukula points to a palm-leaf lexicon while students repeat synonym sets; in a side vignette, artisans plaster a wall (lepa/pustam) to show the technical meaning.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru seated with palm-leaf, students in rows, side panel of workers applying plaster on temple wall, earthy reds/ochres, bold outlines, decorative script band with paṭu peśala dakṣa; mṛgayu lubdhaka; pustam.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, guru with golden arch backdrop, students holding stylus and palm leaves, small inset of plastering work with gold highlights on tools, rich ornamentation and textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with labeled synonym pairs in neat cartouches, delicate shading, inset showing plaster application on wall surface, emphasis on clarity and pedagogy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like lesson scene with calligraphic panels of synonyms, naturalistic plasterers in courtyard applying coating, fine architectural detail and patterned floor tiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पटुस्तु → पटुः + तु; चाण्डालस्तु → चाण्डालः + तु; दिवाकीर्तिः → दिवा + कीर्तिः; लेप्यादिकर्मणि → लेप्य + आदि + कर्मणि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (Nighaṇṭu/Śabda-kośa synonym lists); Agni Purana 366 (Nāmaliṅgānuśāsana: nouns and genders)
FAQs
It functions as lexical instruction: it teaches precise synonym-sets for competence (paṭu/peśala/dakṣa), hunting terms (mṛgayu/lubdhaka), a social designation (cāṇḍāla/divākīrti), and a technical building/finishing term (pusta) used for plastering and coating work (lepa).
Beyond myths and rituals, the Agni Purana preserves nighaṇṭu-style vocabulary lists spanning professions, social categories, and technical crafts—showing it as a reference compendium for language and applied knowledge.
Direct karmic merit is not the focus here; the significance is indirect—right understanding and correct usage of terms supports accurate transmission of dharma, ritual instructions, and technical procedures, reducing error (doṣa) in practice and study.