Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 11
Chapter 366 — सामान्यनामलिङ्गानि
Common Noun-Forms and Their Grammatical Genders
वरणः शब्दनो नान्दीवादी नान्वीकरः समाः व्यसनार्तोपरक्रौ द्वौ बद्धे कीलितसंयतौ
varaṇaḥ śabdano nāndīvādī nānvīkaraḥ samāḥ vyasanārtoparakrau dvau baddhe kīlitasaṃyatau
‘वरण’, ‘शब्दन’, ‘नान्दीवादी’ आणि ‘नान्वीकर’ हे परस्पर समानार्थी आहेत. तसेच ‘व्यसनार्त’ व ‘उपरक्रौ’ ही जोडीही समानार्थी आहे; आणि ‘बद्ध’ या अर्थी ‘कीलित’ हा पर्याय आहे, तसेच ‘संयत’ हाही तद्वत् समकक्ष शब्दाने व्यक्त होतो.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Kosha-style equivalence mapping for rare/technical synonyms (including paired synonyms), aiding commentators and poets in decoding/choosing uncommon vocabulary.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Synonym sets and paired equivalences (nighaṇṭu-style)","lookup_keywords":["varaṇa","śabdana","nandīvādī","vyasanārta","baddha"],"quick_summary":"Presents synonym clusters and paired equivalents, a nighaṇṭu method that supports quick lexical lookup and consistent semantic interpretation across texts."}
Concept: Systematizing language knowledge through lists to stabilize meaning in transmission.
Application: Use as a reference grid when encountering uncommon epithets in kavya/purana; prevents mistranslation by anchoring to synonym sets.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Nighaṇṭu / Synonyms and Lexicography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lexicon page shows grouped synonyms and paired terms; a teacher points to two-column pairings, while students copy them onto palm leaves.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gurukula scene with palm-leaf copying, large stylized manuscript page showing synonym clusters and paired words, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate manuscript with gold borders, acharya indicating paired synonyms with a stylus, students seated in rows, decorative floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic two-column synonym chart, calm classroom setting, emphasis on legibility and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scriptorium scene with scholars comparing word lists, illuminated margins, careful depiction of writing tools and paper."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यसनार्तोपरक्रौ = व्यसन-आर्त-उपरक्रौ (द्वन्द्व); कीलितसंयतौ = कीलित-संयतौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra: kośa/nighaṇṭu prakaraṇa (chapter 366 context)
FAQs
Lexicographic knowledge (nighaṇṭu-vidyā): the verse gives synonym-pairs and equivalent word-forms used for precise Sanskrit usage in composition, recitation, and interpretation.
By preserving a compact thesaurus of Sanskrit terms and variants, it supports multiple disciplines—ritual manuals, dharma texts, and kāvya—where exact word-choice and interpretation of rare forms is essential.
Correct understanding and usage of sacred language aids accurate recitation and transmission of śāstra; linguistic precision is treated as supportive to dharma and the faithful preservation of revelation and tradition.