Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
चतुर्थी स्त्री सुरा ज्ञेया ययेदं मोहितं जगत् माद्यति प्रमदां दृष्ट्वा सुरां पीत्वा तु माद्यति
caturthī strī surā jñeyā yayedaṃ mohitaṃ jagat mādyati pramadāṃ dṛṣṭvā surāṃ pītvā tu mādyati
Caturthī (unit/jejak prosodi yang keempat) hendaklah diketahui sebagai ‘wanita’ dan sebagai ‘surā (arak)’, yang dengannya dunia ini terpesona. Seseorang mabuk apabila melihat wanita jelita; dan sesungguhnya mabuk juga apabila meminum surā.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Use conventional mnemonic naming in chandas/prosody by associating a metrical unit with evocative terms (‘woman’, ‘liquor’) to aid retention and illustrate delusion/intoxication as poetic effect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mnemonic naming of the fourth prosodic unit as ‘Strī’ and ‘Surā’","lookup_keywords":["chandas","prosody","pāda/gaṇa","mnemonic","strī-surā"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a conventional label for a prosodic element and explains it through an analogy of intoxication—by beauty and by drink—serving as a memory device and a poetic illustration."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative analogy)
Concept: Pedagogy of śāstra: technical knowledge (chandas) is stabilized through vivid saṃjñā and relatable examples.
Application: When teaching/learning meter, attach memorable images/terms to gaṇas or mātrā-patterns; practice recitation with clear mind, avoiding intoxicants.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody—definitions of metrical feet and their conventional names)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody lesson scene: a teacher points to a palm-leaf chart of metrical units while two symbolic figures—an alluring woman and a wine-cup—stand as personifications of the mnemonic names for the ‘fourth’ unit; students recite in rhythm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, classroom-like gurukula: guru with stylus, palm-leaf prosody chart, personified Strī and Surā as symbolic side figures, rhythmic hand-gestures of students, bold outlines and flat color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and disciples with gold-highlighted palm-leaf manuscript, ornate personifications of woman and liquor as allegorical attendants, rich gold work and temple-arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical instructional illustration: prosody chart prominently displayed with neat calligraphy, minimal allegory (woman silhouette and cup icon), fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly majlis: poet-teacher with manuscript, students seated on carpet, subtle allegorical motifs (goblet, graceful lady) in margins, delicate detailing and balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ययेदं = यया + इदम्; (पुनरुक्ति) माद्यति ... माद्यति; क्त्वान्तौ: दृष्ट्वा, पीत्वा
Related Themes: Agni Purana: chandas/alaṅkāra chapters defining gaṇas, mātrā, and saṃjñā; Agni Purana: nīti passages on mada and kāma as deluders
FAQs
It imparts chandas-vidyā (prosodic knowledge) by naming/defining the “fourth” metrical unit and explaining its conventional designation through a mnemonic analogy.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves technical disciplines like Sanskrit metrics and poetics; this verse exemplifies that breadth by teaching specialized chandas terminology using memorable illustrative comparisons.
Its takeaway is cautionary and didactic: worldly delusion and ‘intoxication’ can arise from sense-objects (desire and drink), a reminder that disciplined awareness supports dharma even while studying technical arts.