Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 37
Chapter 370: नरकनिरूपणम्
Naraka-nirūpaṇa) — Description of Hell (with the physiology of dying and the subtle transition
अजः पशुंपयः काको यानमुष्ट्रः फलं कपिः मधु दंशः फलं गृध्रो गृहकाक उपस्करं
ajaḥ paśuṃpayaḥ kāko yānamuṣṭraḥ phalaṃ kapiḥ madhu daṃśaḥ phalaṃ gṛdhro gṛhakāka upaskaraṃ
‘ಅಜ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಮೇಕೆ; ‘ಪಶುಂಪಯಃ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಪಶುಗಳ ಹಾಲು; ‘ಕಾಕ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಕಾಗೆ; ‘ಯಾನ-ಉಷ್ಟ್ರ’ ಎಂದರೆ ವಾಹನವಾಗಿ ಬಳಸುವ ಒಂಟೆ; ‘ಕಪಿ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಕೋತಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಹಣ್ಣು; ‘ದಂಶ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಜೇನು ಮಾಡುವ ಭ್ರಮರ; ‘ಗೃಧ್ರ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಗಿಡುಗ ಹಾಗೂ ಹಣ್ಣು; ‘ಗೃಹಕಾಕ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಮನೆಯ ಕಾಗೆ; ‘ಉಪಸ್ಕರ’ ಎಂದರೆ ಗೃಹೋಪಕರಣಗಳು.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in an encyclopedic, lexicon-style chapter)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Lexical clarity for ritual, medicine, and daily usage: provides synonym/meaning mapping to avoid ambiguity in interpretation and instruction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Nāmamālā: polysemy and glosses (aja, paśuṃpayaḥ, uṣṭra, kapi, daṃśa, gṛdhra, upaskara)","lookup_keywords":["nighaṇṭu","nāmamālā","kapi fruit","daṃśa bee","upaskara implements"],"quick_summary":"A compact glossary assigns meanings and notes multiple senses (e.g., kapi and gṛdhra also used for ‘fruit’), functioning as a lookup aid for technical reading and correct word-choice."}
Alamkara Type: Śleṣa (potential via polysemy)
Concept: Śabda-jñāna as a tool: correct understanding of words underpins correct action in dharma, ritual, and applied sciences.
Application: Use as a kośa-entry: when encountering these terms in prescriptions, rituals, or narratives, select the intended sense by context.
Khanda Section: Nighaṇṭu / Nāmamālā (Lexicon of synonyms and technical vocabulary)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scholar’s lexicon scene: palm-leaf manuscript with listed words, surrounded by small vignettes of goat, crow, camel, monkey, bee, vulture, house-crow, and household implements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central scribe with palm-leaf manuscript, around him circular medallions depicting aja (goat), kāka (crow), uṣṭra (camel), kapi (monkey/fruit), daṃśa (bee), gṛdhra (vulture/fruit), gṛhakāka, upaskara (pots/tools).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated vidvān with manuscript, gold-embellished borders, icon-like animal medallions and a neatly arranged set of household implements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram aesthetic, labeled illustrations of each term with fine detailing and soft colors, manuscript text visible.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic animals and still-life of implements, scholar in a library setting, margins filled with small labeled studies."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पशुंपयः (as given) is resolved as पशुम् + पयः (anusvāra from sandhi/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 370 (Nighaṇṭu / Nāmamālā segment continuing across adjacent verses)
FAQs
This verse imparts Nighaṇṭu-vidyā: a lexicon-style mapping of key Sanskrit terms (animals, honey-bee, household implements) and their recognized synonym-uses in traditional word-lists.
By preserving compact synonym lists and semantic classifications, it functions like a reference index—showing the Agni Purana’s role not only in ritual and theology but also in Sanskrit knowledge-systems such as lexicography and technical vocabulary.
While not a direct ritual injunction, mastering correct terminology supports accurate recitation, teaching, and interpretation of śāstric texts—traditionally regarded as meritorious because it safeguards right understanding (samyag-jñāna) of dharma literature.