Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 36
Chapter 360 — अव्ययवर्गाः
Groups of Indeclinables
अद्यात्राह्न्य् अथ पूर्वेह्नीत्यादौ पूर्वोत्तरा परात् तथाधरान्यान्यतरेतरात्पूर्वेद्युरादयः
adyātrāhny atha pūrvehnītyādau pūrvottarā parāt tathādharānyānyataretarātpūrvedyurādayaḥ
ਹੁਣ “ਅਦ੍ਯ” (ਅੱਜ), “ਤ੍ਰਾਹ੍ਨਿ/ਅਤ੍ਰਾਹ੍ਨਿ” (ਉਸ ਦਿਨ), “ਪੂਰ੍ਵੇਹ੍ਨਿ” (ਪੂਰਵਾਹਨ ਵਿੱਚ) ਆਦਿ ਸਮੇਂ-ਵਾਚਕ ਸ਼ਬਦਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਯੋਗ ਰੂਪ-ਨਿਰਮਾਣ/ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਦੀ ਵਿਆਖਿਆ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ‘ਪੂਰਵ-ਉੱਤਰ’ (ਪਹਿਲਾਂ-ਬਾਅਦ), ‘ਉੱਚਾ-ਨੀਵਾਂ’ (ਪਰ/ਉੱਤਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਅਧਰ), ‘ਪਰਸਪਰ’ (ਅਨ੍ਯੋਨ੍ਯਤਰ, ਇਤਰੇਤਰ) ਅਤੇ “ਪੂਰ੍ਵੇਦ੍ਯੁḥ” (ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦਿਨ) ਆਦਿ ਰੂਪ ਵੀ ਦਰਸਾਏ ਗਏ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha (contextual attribution for the grammar/encyclopedic sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Guides formation/understanding of temporal compounds and relational pairs (prior–subsequent, higher–lower, reciprocal) used in precise narration, ritual scheduling, and technical prose.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Derivational set of time-expressions and relational compounds: adya/atrāhni, pūrvehni, pūrvottara, adhara, anyonyatara/itaretara, pūrvedyuḥ","lookup_keywords":["adya atrāhni","pūrvehni","pūrvottara","anyonyatara itaretara","pūrvedyuḥ"],"quick_summary":"Introduces a cluster of temporal expressions (today/that day/forenoon/previous day) and relational compound patterns (prior–later, higher–lower, reciprocal), indicating their grammatical formation and usage domains."}
Alamkara Type: Samasa-vyavastha (compound-governed diction)
Concept: Relational thinking (pūrva/uttara, adhara/para, itaretara) is encoded through grammatical structures; language mirrors ordered cognition.
Application: Use standardized relational compounds to avoid ambiguity in instructions (ritual steps, procedural texts, chronicles): ‘pūrvehni’ vs ‘pūrvedyuḥ’, ‘pūrvottara’ for sequencing, ‘itaretara’ for mutuality.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana / Shabda-shastra (Grammar and lexicography: temporal adverbs and directional compounds)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grammatical ‘map’ showing time-terms (today, that day, forenoon, previous day) on a timeline, and relational pairs (prior–later, higher–lower, reciprocal) as linked nodes; a teacher explains the chart to students.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru before a stylized timeline scroll labeled adya, atrāhni, pūrvehni, pūrvedyuḥ; side motifs show paired arrows for pūrvottara and vertical arrows for adhara/para; ornate borders and earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted diagrammatic scroll with Devanagari labels, central seated guru, surrounding medallions for pūrvottara, adhara, itaretara/anyonyatara, rich reds/greens with gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear pedagogical chart: horizontal timeline with labeled nodes, plus relational pair boxes; fine linework, minimal background, emphasis on legibility and structure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scholarly lesson with a beautifully illuminated chart page: timeline and relational diagrams, students taking notes, delicate borders and subdued colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अद्यात्राह्न्य् = adya + atra + ahni. पूर्वेह्नि = pūrve + ahni. इत्यादौ = iti + ādau. पूर्वोत्तरा = pūrva + uttarāḥ (द्वन्द्व). तथाधरान्य् = tathā + adharāḥ + anyāḥ. अन्यतरेतरात् = anyatara + itarāt. पूर्वेद्युरादयः = pūrva + dyuḥ + ādayaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 360.35 (temporal adverbs); Agni Purana 360 (Sāhitya/Vyākaraṇa technical run)
FAQs
This verse imparts Vyākaraṇa-vidyā: it catalogs and frames the derivational/usage set of Sanskrit time-words (e.g., adya, pūrvehni, pūrvedyuḥ) and relational pairs (pūrva–uttara, anyonya/itaretara) used for precise temporal and comparative reference.
By including a compact grammatical-lexical register of technical Sanskrit expressions for time and reciprocity, the Agni Purana functions as a reference manual beyond ritual—preserving linguistic science alongside theology, dharma, and other disciplines.
Its significance is indirect: mastery of correct Sanskrit usage supports accurate transmission of mantras, vows, and ritual timings; linguistic precision is treated as a safeguard for dharma-practice and faithful preservation of sacred knowledge.