Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 11
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
उत्तमश् च त्रिरुद्घातः षट्त्रिंशत्तालमात्रिकः स्वेदकम्पाभिधातानाम् जननश्चोत्तमोत्तमः
uttamaś ca trirudghātaḥ ṣaṭtriṃśattālamātrikaḥ svedakampābhidhātānām jananaścottamottamaḥ
‘उत्तम’ छंदात त्रिविध उद्घात असतो; त्याचे मापन छत्तीस ताल-मात्रा आहे. ‘स्वेद’ व ‘कंप’ या भेदांचा तो जनक असल्याने तो ‘उत्तमोत्तम’ म्हणतात.
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana) addressing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Selecting and generating derivative rhythmic varieties (Sveda, Kampa) from a base mātrā-metre (Uttama) for poetic performance and musical/recitational setting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Uttama mātrā-chandas (tri-udghāta, 36 tāla-mātrā) and its derivatives","lookup_keywords":["Uttama chandas","tri-udghāta","ṣaṭtriṃśat tāla-mātrā","Sveda chandas","Kampa chandas"],"quick_summary":"Defines Uttama as a 36 tāla-mātrā metre with three udghātas and states it generates the varieties called Sveda and Kampa—indicating a parent–derivative taxonomy in prosody."}
Concept: Śāstric taxonomy: a ‘best’ form is defined by measure and by its capacity to generate structured variants.
Application: Use Uttama as a base template to derive and recognize related rhythmic patterns (Sveda/Kampa) in composition and performance.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Prosody)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A metrical chart showing Uttama (36) at the top branching into two labeled forms: Sveda and Kampa; a teacher demonstrates three udghāta rises with hand movements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized branching tree diagram behind the guru: 'उत्तमः ३६' at trunk, branches 'स्वेद' and 'कम्प', rhythmic wave crests marking tri-udghāta, rich reds/ochres, temple-school setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold-highlighted diagram panels, Uttama enthroned as central medallion, two smaller medallions for Sveda and Kampa, ornate borders, luminous academic-devotional mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: numbered 1-2-3 udghāta arrows, 36 mātrā tally, branching derivation to Sveda/Kampa, fine detailing and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars around a low table with a painted chart, calligraphed labels for Uttama/Sveda/Kampa, precise geometry and floral margins, subtle depiction of hand-gesture counting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उत्तमश् च = उत्तमः + च; त्रिरुद्घातः = त्रिः + उद्घातः; जननश्चोत्तमोत्तमः = जननः + च + उत्तमोत्तमः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372 (continuation of mātrā-vṛtta definitions and classifications)
FAQs
It defines a prosodic/metre-type called ‘Uttama’ by its structural measure (36 tāla-mātrās) and its threefold udghāta, and states that it serves as the source-pattern for the related forms termed ‘Sveda’ and ‘Kampa’.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogues technical disciplines such as literary science (sāhitya-śāstra). This verse exemplifies that encyclopedic scope by giving rule-like specifications of metrical taxonomy using precise terms like mātrā, tāla, and udghāta.
While primarily technical, correct knowledge of chandas supports accurate recitation and composition of sacred and laudatory texts; in Purāṇic framing, such correctness is linked with preserving śāstra, enabling proper praise (stuti), and thereby accruing merit through disciplined speech.