Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 26
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
मन्त्रदूतप्रयाणाजिनियतं नातिविस्तरम् शक्कर्यातिजगत्यातिशक्कर्या त्रिष्टुभा तथा
mantradūtaprayāṇājiniyataṃ nātivistaram śakkaryātijagatyātiśakkaryā triṣṭubhā tathā
ಮಂತ್ರದೂತ, ಪ್ರಯಾಣ, ಆಜಿನೀ ಎಂಬ ಛಂದಸ್ಸುಗಳು ನಿಯತವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಅತಿವಿಸ್ತಾರವಲ್ಲ; ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಶಕ್ಕರೀ, ಅತಿಜಗತೀ, ಅತಿಶಕ್ಕರೀ ಮತ್ತು ತ್ರಿಷ್ಟುಭವೂ ಛಂದಸ್ಸುಗಳಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿತ.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identify and employ specific Vedic/classical metres (e.g., Triṣṭubh) and named prosodic varieties for composing hymnic or literary verses with controlled length; useful for chandas-based composition, recitation, and textual analysis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Chandas-nāma-saṅgraha: Mantra-dūta, Prayāṇa, Ājinī, Śakkarī, Ati-jagatī, Ati-śakkarī, Triṣṭubh","lookup_keywords":["chandas","triṣṭubh","jagatī","śakkarī","ājinī"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists several metres and notes their regulated, not overly expansive nature. Use it as a mnemonic index for prosody study and for selecting a metre suited to concise, rule-bound expression."}
Concept: Niyama (rule) and mātrā/akṣara-measure as the basis of disciplined expression.
Application: For composition/recitation, choose a metre and keep to its regulated extent; for analysis, recognize metre-names as indexing devices for prosodic rules.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody and Metre)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody chart showing rows of metre names with bead-like counts (akṣara/mātrā) and a scribe marking regulated lengths; Triṣṭubh highlighted as a major metre.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized palm-leaf chart with metre names in Devanagari, rhythmic wave motifs suggesting cadence, scribe with stylus, Triṣṭubh panel emphasized with bold border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-leaf framing a central prosody chart, decorative beads representing syllable counts, rich reds and greens, Triṣṭubh name embossed in gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram: columns for metre-name and syllable pattern, a teacher pointing with a stick; subdued palette, high legibility.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scriptorium, scholars comparing metrical tables, fine calligraphy of metre names, marginal geometric motifs representing rhythmic units."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāti → na + ati; mantradūtaprayāṇājiniyatam → mantra-dūta-prayāṇa-ādi-niyatam; śakkaryātijagatyātiśakkaryā → śakkaryā + ati-jagatī + ati-śakkaryā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (chandas section: metre names and characteristics)
FAQs
It imparts chandas-vidyā (prosodic knowledge) by listing specific metres and indicating their regulated, non-excessive (standardized) metrical form—useful for composing or identifying correctly metered verses.
By cataloguing metres such as Triṣṭubh and extended forms like Ati-jagatī, the text functions as a compact handbook of Sanskrit literary science (sāhitya/śāstra), alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, etc.).
Correct metre supports accurate recitation and disciplined composition; in traditional understanding, well-formed chandas preserves textual integrity and enhances the efficacy and purity (śuddhi) of sacred or devotional utterance.