Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 16
Granthaprasthāvanā (Preface): Sāra of Knowledge, Twofold Brahman, and the Purpose of Avatāras
अयपाठः पुण्यमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः यद् गदित्वा इति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः ज्ञानसन्दीपनादेव इति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः ब्रह्माग्नेयं पुराणमिति ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः यद् द्विज इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं ज्योतिषाङ्गतिः छन्दो ऽभिधानं मीमांसा धर्मशास्त्रं पुराणकम्
ayapāṭhaḥ puṇyamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ yad gaditvā iti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ jñānasandīpanādeva iti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ brahmāgneyaṃ purāṇamiti ga, gha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ yad dvija iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ jyotiṣāṅgatiḥ chando 'bhidhānaṃ mīmāṃsā dharmaśāstraṃ purāṇakam
ສິກສາ (Śikṣā) ກັລປະ—ພິທີກຳ (Kalpa) ວະຍາກະຣະນະ (Vyākaraṇa) ນິຣຸກຕະ (Nirukta) ຈະໂຍຕິສະ—ດາລາສາດ/ໂຫລາສາດ (Jyotiṣa) ຈັນທັສ—ສັນທະລັກ (Chandas) ອະພິທານ—ພະຈະນານຸກົມ (Abhidhāna) ມີມາງສາ (Mīmāṃsā) ທັມມະສາດ (Dharmaśāstra) ແລະ ປຸຣານະ (Purāṇa) — ເຫຼົ່ານີ້ແມ່ນສາຂາແຫ່ງວິຊາທີ່ຖືກກ່າວໄວ້।
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s scope, traditionally to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Curricular map of śāstric study: identifies core disciplines (Vedāṅgas and allied śāstras) to structure learning, teaching, and reference within the Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śāstra-saṅgraha: Vedāṅga-ādi vidyāḥ","lookup_keywords":["śikṣā","kalpa","vyākaraṇa","jyotiṣa","dharmaśāstra"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates key branches of learning—Vedāṅgas plus lexicography, Mīmāṃsā, Dharmaśāstra, and Purāṇa—serving as an index of what the text can teach or reference."}
Concept: Vidyā-vibhāga as a map of knowable disciplines; Purāṇa positioned among authoritative śāstras.
Application: Use as a reading guide: when encountering technical passages, locate them under the relevant discipline (kalpa, vyākaraṇa, jyotiṣa, etc.).
Khanda Section: Purana-paricaya (Scope of Knowledge / Encyclopedic Subjects)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated ṛṣi-teacher enumerates disciplines on palm-leaf manuscripts; students hold writing boards; symbolic icons for each śāstra (stars for jyotiṣa, grammar scroll for vyākaraṇa, ritual fire for kalpa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, gurukula interior with oil lamps, saffron-clad ṛṣi pointing to palm-leaf manuscript headings: śikṣā, kalpa, vyākaraṇa, nirukta, jyotiṣa, chandas, abhidhāna, mīmāṃsā, dharmaśāstra, purāṇa; rich earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ṛṣi on ornate seat, gold-leaf halo, palm-leaf manuscripts arranged like a mandala of vidyās; small emblems (nakṣatra wheel, yajña-kuṇḍa, grammar scroll) with heavy gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading, instructional tableau: teacher labeling a board with the list of śāstras; students attentive; minimal background, emphasis on legible headings and manuscript tools.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly library scene with a sage-scholar, assistants holding catalogued manuscripts; delicate borders, fine calligraphy panels naming the disciplines; subdued palette with detailed textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: छन्दो ऽभिधानम् = chandaḥ + abhidhānam (visarga before vowel, written ’o ’). ज्योतिषाङ्गतिः treated as jyotiṣa-aṅgatiḥ (tatpuruṣa compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 1.17 (apara/parā vidyā distinction)
FAQs
It enumerates core śāstric disciplines—especially Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Jyotiṣa (calendrical timing)—that support correct performance and interpretation of Vedic-Purāṇic practice.
By listing multiple knowledge-systems (phonetics, grammar, etymology, metrics, lexicography, hermeneutics, and law), it signals that the Agni Purana functions as a compendium integrating ritual, language-science, interpretation, and dharma.
The verse frames these disciplines as supports for right understanding and right action (dharma); mastering or honoring them is presented as a means to align practice with scriptural intent, thereby promoting religious merit and purity of conduct.