Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 29
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
सुमन्तुश् च सुकर्मा च एकैकां संहितां ततः गृह्णते च सुकर्माख्यः सहस्रं संहितां गुरुः
sumantuś ca sukarmā ca ekaikāṃ saṃhitāṃ tataḥ gṛhṇate ca sukarmākhyaḥ sahasraṃ saṃhitāṃ guruḥ
ຕໍ່ມາ ສຸມັນຕຸ ແລະ ສຸກັມມາ ແຕ່ລະຄົນໄດ້ຮັບສັມຫິຕາ (Saṃhitā) ຄົນລະໜຶ່ງ. ແລະຜູ້ທີ່ເອີ້ນວ່າ ສຸກັມມາ ໄດ້ຮັບສັມຫິຕາ ໜຶ່ງພັນ ຈາກອາຈານຂອງຕົນ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Understanding the scale of textual transmission (single saṃhitā vs. many) for historiography of Itihāsa–Purāṇa and Vedic pedagogy; supports cataloging and curriculum design in traditional pāṭhaśālās.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Saṃhitā-Transmission: Sumantu and Sukarmā","lookup_keywords":["Sumantu","Sukarmā","saṃhitā","sahasra","guru-śiṣya"],"quick_summary":"Describes allocation of saṃhitās among disciples, emphasizing Sukarmā’s reception of a vast corpus (a ‘thousand’ saṃhitās), highlighting multiplicity in oral-textual streams."}
Alamkara Type: Atishayokti
Concept: Knowledge proliferates through disciplined reception and redistribution; ‘thousand’ signifies expansive branching and preservation capacity of oral culture.
Application: Treat textual plurality as expected; reconcile variants by tracing teacher-lineage and saṃhitā-family rather than assuming a single uniform text.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Itihasa–Purana transmission; Vedic recension lineage)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two disciples, Sumantu and Sukarmā, receiving manuscripts from a guru; Sukarmā shown with an abundant stack symbolizing ‘a thousand saṃhitās,’ while Sumantu holds a single bundle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru seated with two disciples; one receives a single palm-leaf bundle, the other receives many bundles arranged like a fan, stylized numeration motifs, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted manuscript stacks around Sukarmā, guru with halo, symmetrical composition, ornate borders, deep maroon background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, classroom scene with labeled bundles ‘eka’ and ‘sahasra,’ fine detailing on palm leaves, calm instructional mood, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate study chamber: guru handing texts, Sukarmā’s attendants carrying numerous manuscript bundles, detailed shelves, patterned carpets, delicate faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुमन्तुश् च → सुमन्तुः + च; सुकर्माख्यः → सुकर्मा + आख्यः (स्वर-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 150.30; Agni Purana 150.31
FAQs
It imparts vidyā of textual transmission: how Saṃhitās are received and preserved through named transmitters (Sumantu, Sukarmā) within a guru–śiṣya lineage.
By documenting the mechanics of compilation and distribution of Saṃhitās (single and multiple recensions), it treats knowledge-management itself as a subject—showing how ritual, doctrine, and literature are conserved and multiplied across generations.
It underscores the sanctity of guru-paramparā: receiving and safeguarding authoritative teachings is presented as a dharmic act that maintains śruti/smṛti continuity and supports merit through faithful preservation of sacred knowledge.