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
Dan (metra/jenis) yang dinamakan Uttama mempunyai udghāta tiga lapis; ukurannya tiga puluh enam tāla-mātrā. Ia menjadi sumber kelahiran ragam yang disebut Sveda dan Kampa, maka ia disebut “yang terbaik di antara yang terbaik”.
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.