Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 12
Chapter 366 — सामान्यनामलिङ्गानि
Common Noun-Forms and Their Grammatical Genders
विहिस्तव्याकुलौ तुल्यौ नृशंसक्रूरघातुकाः पापो धूर्तो वञ्चकः स्यान्मूर्खे वैदेहवालिशौ
vihistavyākulau tulyau nṛśaṃsakrūraghātukāḥ pāpo dhūrto vañcakaḥ syānmūrkhe vaidehavāliśau
‘ବିହିସ୍ତ’ ଓ ‘ଆକୁଲ’ ସମାନାର୍ଥକ। ‘ନୃଶଂସ’, ‘କ୍ରୂର’, ‘ଘାତୁକ’ ନିର୍ଦୟ କ୍ରୂର ହନ୍ତାକୁ ସୂଚାଏ। ‘ପାପ’, ‘ଧୂର୍ତ’, ‘ବଞ୍ଚକ’ ପାପୀ, ଧୂର୍ତ ଓ ପ୍ରତାରକ ଅର୍ଥରେ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ। ମୂର୍ଖ ପାଇଁ ‘ବୈଦେହ’ ଓ ‘ବାଲିଶ’ ଶବ୍ଦ ରହିଛି।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic/śāstra section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Supplies synonym sets for mental states (confused/agitated), moral character (ruthless/killer; sinful/rogue/deceiver), and intellectual deficiency (fool), enabling precise ethical and narrative characterization in literature and discourse.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Synonyms: agitation; cruelty/killer; sinful/rogue/deceiver; fool","lookup_keywords":["ākula","nṛśaṃsa","ghātuka","vañcaka","vāliśa"],"quick_summary":"Defines interchangeable terms for agitation, cruelty and killing, deceitful sinfulness, and foolishness—supporting accurate moral coloring and character depiction."}
Concept: Moral discernment through language: naming vice (cruelty, deceit, sin) and cognitive failing (mūḍhatā) to guide social-ethical judgment.
Application: In teaching and self-review, identify and avoid behaviors labeled nṛśaṃsa/krūra/vañcaka; cultivate steadiness opposite of ākulatā and seek learning to overcome vāliśatā.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Lexicography / Synonyms and Semantic Equivalence)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bībhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four moral-psychological vignettes: a confused agitated person (ākula), a ruthless killer (ghātuka) with harsh demeanor, a deceiver (vañcaka) hiding intent, and a foolish person (vāliśa) making an error; a scholar labels each with synonym sets.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, segmented narrative panels with bold expressions: ākula figure in turmoil, krūra/ghātuka with dark fierce eyes, vañcaka with sly sideways glance, vāliśa with puzzled face; scholar inscribing synonyms on palm leaf.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, moral tableau with gold-framed compartments, central dharma-teacher holding manuscript, each compartment showing the vice-type, rich ornamentation and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart-like scene: four labeled character archetypes with clear gestures, soft colors, emphasis on moral instruction and readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-and-street scenes: agitated man in a crowd, assassin-like cruel figure, trickster exchanging coins, foolish clerk misreading a document; fine detailing, muted palette, calligraphic labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यान्मूर्खे = स्यात् मूर्खे; वैदेहवालिशौ = वैदेह-वालिशौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra: kośa lists for ethical and psychological descriptors (chapter 366 context); Agni Purana Dharmic sections on ahiṃsā and satya (thematic linkage)
FAQs
This verse imparts nighaṇṭu/kośa-style lexical knowledge: it lists synonym sets (paryāyas) for states (ākula/vihista) and character-types (nṛśaṃsa/krūra/ghātuka; pāpa/dhūrta/vañcaka; mūrkha = vaideha/vāliśa).
By functioning like a compact Sanskrit thesaurus within the Purāṇa, it preserves semantic equivalences useful for poetry (kāvya), commentary, and precise diction—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond ritual into language-science and literature.
Indirectly, it sharpens ethical discernment by naming traits like cruelty, deceit, and sin with precise vocabulary—supporting dharma-oriented reflection and correct moral categorization in teaching and discourse.