Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
अनुलोमविलोमेन समस्तव्यस्तयोगतः कर्णाविकर्णयोगेन अत ऊर्ध्वं विभागशः
anulomavilomena samastavyastayogataḥ karṇāvikarṇayogena ata ūrdhvaṃ vibhāgaśaḥ
ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਕ੍ਰਮਵਾਰ ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਰੱਖੇ ਜਾਣ—ਅਨੁਲੋਮ ਤੇ ਵਿਲੋਮ ਕ੍ਰਮ ਨਾਲ, ਸਮਸਤ ਤੇ ਵ੍ਯਸਤ ਯੋਗ ਨਾਲ, ਅਤੇ ਕਰਣ ਤੇ ਅਵਿਕਰਣ ਸੰਯੋਗ-ਵਿਧੀ ਨਾਲ।
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Provides combinatorial/arrangement rules (anuloma-viloma, samasta-vyasta, karṇa-avikarṇa) used in prosody, phonetic permutation, and prastāra-style analysis for meters or syllabic matrices.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Anuloma–Viloma and Samasta–Vyasta Arrangements; Karṇa–Avikarṇa Modes","lookup_keywords":["anuloma","viloma","samasta","vyasta","karṇa avikarṇa"],"quick_summary":"Teaches systematic division/arrangement methods—forward/reverse, combined/separated, and diagonal/non-diagonal modes—useful for enumerating patterns in chandas or syllabic grids."}
Concept: Knowledge can be exhaustively mapped through ordered permutations and defined modes of combination.
Application: When analyzing a meter/mantra-matrix, list patterns in forward and reverse order, then in compounded vs separated forms, and finally by diagonal vs non-diagonal traversals to avoid omissions.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas/Prosody and Matra-Varna analysis)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic teaching of pattern-division: a grid or sequence being read forward and backward, grouped and ungrouped, and traced diagonally (karṇa) or straight (avikarṇa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: a guru-scribe scene with a palm-leaf board showing sequences and a square grid; arrows indicating anuloma/viloma and diagonal karṇa paths; earthy pigments, bold outlines, temple-school ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate framed instructional panel with gold accents; central grid with arrows (forward, reverse, diagonal); a seated teacher holding stylus; decorative but clear geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic illustration with crisp grid lines, labeled arrows for anuloma/viloma and karṇa/avikarṇa; minimal background, focus on the analytical diagram and students copying it.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar’s workshop with manuscripts; a geometric chart on a low desk with fine arrows; meticulous calligraphy-like labels; subdued palette and detailed textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samastavyastayogataḥ → samasta-vyasta-yogataḥ (adverbial -tas); karṇāvikarṇayogena → karṇa-avikarṇa-yogena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Sahitya-shastra / Chandas sections (prosody and mātrā-varṇa analysis, surrounding chapters)
FAQs
It gives a technical scheme for classifying or enumerating metrical/phonetic patterns using ordered and reverse permutations (anuloma–viloma), combined vs. separated grouping (samasta–vyasta), and the karṇa/avikarṇa modes used in chandas-style analysis.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves śāstric knowledge like Sanskrit metrics and literary science; this verse signals a systematic, almost algorithmic method of dividing and listing patterns—showing the text’s encyclopedic reach into grammar/prosody.
While primarily technical, correct chandas and ordered recitation support accurate preservation and chanting of sacred texts; such precision is traditionally linked with purity of utterance and the merit (puṇya) of faultless recitation.