Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
शूकरी परपुष्टा च पुन्नामानश् च वामतः प्रतिलोमास्तथेत्यादिः, सिंहमार्जारगर्दभा इत्य् अन्तः पाठः ज भ पुस्तकद्वये नास्ति स्त्रीसञ्ज्ञा भासकारूषकपिश्रीकर्णश्छित्कराः
śūkarī parapuṣṭā ca punnāmānaś ca vāmataḥ pratilomāstathetyādiḥ, siṃhamārjāragardabhā ity antaḥ pāṭhaḥ ja bha pustakadvaye nāsti strīsañjñā bhāsakārūṣakapiśrīkarṇaśchitkarāḥ
‘ಶೂಕರಿ, ಪರಪುಷ್ಟಾ, ಪುನ್ನಾಮಾನ’; ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಎಡಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿರುವವು ‘ಪ್ರತಿಲೋಮ’ (ವಿಪರೀತ) ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. ‘ಸಿಂಹ–ಮಾರ್ಜಾರ–ಗರ್ಧಭ’ ಎಂಬ ಅಂತಃಪಾಠ ‘ಜ’ ಮತ್ತು ‘ಭ’ ಎಂಬ ಎರಡು ಹಸ್ತಪ್ರತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಇವು ಸ್ತ್ರೀಸಂಜ್ಞೆಗಳು—ಭಾಸಕಾ, ಆರೂಷಕಾ, ಪಿಶ್ರೀಕರ್ಣಾ, ಛಿತ್ಕರಾ।
Lord Agni (as primary narrator of encyclopedic material to Vasiṣṭha; this verse functions as a lexical/kośa-style list with manuscript-note style phrasing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Lexical identification of omen-terms and feminine name-forms used in śakuna lists; helps correct reading/recitation and interpretation across manuscripts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Nāma-varga: śakuna-nāmāni (feminine designations and pratiloma note)","lookup_keywords":["nirukta","nāma-varga","pratiloma","śūkarī","parapuṣṭā"],"quick_summary":"Provides a lexicographic list of omen-related names (noting feminine forms) and flags ‘pratiloma’ (contrary) classification; also preserves a textual variant note."}
Concept: Correct naming (saṃjñā) and classification are prerequisites for reliable applied knowledge (here, omen-reading).
Application: When using śakuna manuals, verify terms, gender-forms, and variants to avoid misapplication of signs.
Khanda Section: Nirukta / Nama-varga (Lexicography: lists of terms and synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar compares palm-leaf manuscripts, listing omen-names and marking a missing internal reading; feminine name-forms are highlighted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, a seated paṇḍita with palm-leaf bundles, stylus and ink pot, two manuscript stacks labeled ‘Ja’ and ‘Bha’, a scroll panel listing śūkarī, parapuṣṭā, punnāmāna, pratiloma, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold on manuscript edges and scholar’s ornaments, a central writing desk, name-list in decorative cartouches, emphasis on ‘strīsaṃjñā’ with floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean didactic layout: left column ‘vāma/pratiloma’, right column names, a scholar pointing to variant note, soft shading and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a library scene, meticulous manuscript details, marginalia indicating variant omission, scholars in discussion, subdued palette with fine brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratilomāstathetyādiḥ = pratilomāḥ tathā iti ādiḥ; ity antaḥ = iti antaḥ; kapiśrīkarṇaśchitkarāḥ = kapiśrīkarṇaḥ chitkarāḥ. This verse contains apparent critical/editorial notes (pāṭhaḥ, ja/bha sigla), analyzed as words as given.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230 (Nirukta/Nāma-varga interleaved with Śakuna lists)
FAQs
This verse imparts kośa/nirukta-style lexical knowledge: it lists specific feminine designations (strīsañjñā) and notes ordering/classification terms like pratiloma (reverse/contrary order), along with a manuscript-variant remark.
By preserving vocabulary lists, gendered noun designations, and even variant readings, the Agni Purana functions like an encyclopedia—covering not only theology and ritual but also practical philology (word-lists, grammatical categories, and textual transmission).
The verse is primarily philological rather than devotional; its value is indirect—supporting accurate recitation, interpretation, and preservation of sacred/purāṇic language, which traditional frameworks treat as meritorious through correct study (svādhyāya) and textual fidelity.