Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 327 — छन्दःसारः
Chandas-sāra: The Essence of Metres
उपाध्मानीयतो दीर्घो गुरुर्ग्लौ नौ गणाविह वसवोष्टौ च चत्वारो वेदादित्यादिलोपतः
upādhmānīyato dīrgho gururglau nau gaṇāviha vasavoṣṭau ca catvāro vedādityādilopataḥ
ਉਪਧਮਾਨੀਯ (ਓਠਾਂ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਧੁਨੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਵਿਸਰਗ) ਹੋਣ ਤੇ ਦੀਰਘ ਸੁਰ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ (ਭਾਰੀ ਅੱਖਰ) ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇੱਥੇ ਗਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ‘ਗਲੌ’ ਅਤੇ ‘ਨੌ’ ਹਨ। ਵਸੂ ਅੱਠ, ਓਠ ਦੋ ਅਤੇ ਦਿਸ਼ਾਵਾਂ ਚਾਰ—‘ਵੇਦ’ ‘ਆਦਿਤ੍ਯ’ ਆਦਿ ਸ਼ਬਦਾਂ ਦੇ ਆਦਿ ਅੱਖਰ ਲੋਪ ਨਾਲ ਇਹ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Chandas","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Scanning Sanskrit metres by correctly classifying syllable weight (guru/laghu) and recalling gaṇa-names via mnemonic elisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Upadhmānīya-based guru rule and gaṇa mnemonic (glau/nau)","lookup_keywords":["upadhmānīya","guru-laghu","gaṇa","glau","nau"],"quick_summary":"Treat a long vowel as guru when conditioned by upadhmānīya; remember specific gaṇa labels (glau, nau) and numeric facts (8 Vasus, 2 lips, 4 quarters) through initial-syllable elision mnemonics."}
Concept: Śabda-śāstra precision: phonetic markers and mnemonic devices preserve metrical knowledge.
Application: Use phonetic rules and compact mnemonics to ensure correct recitation, composition, and metrical verification.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Vyakarana (Prosody/Grammar in Sahitya-shastra)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traditional paṇḍita teaches students metrical gaṇas on a palm-leaf manuscript, pointing to symbols for guru/laghu and the terms glau and nau; mnemonic numbers (8,2,4) appear as diagrammatic cues.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a seated guru with palm-leaf manuscript, students in attentive poses, stylized Sanskrit akṣaras ‘ग्लौ’ ‘नौ’, diagram of 8 Vasus, 2 lips, 4 directions, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate frame and gold leaf accents, guru and disciples with palm-leaf and stylus, highlighted Sanskrit syllables ‘ग्लौ’ ‘नौ’ in gold, symbolic icons for Vasus and four quarters, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional tableau with clear labels for guru/laghu, small chart of gaṇas, subtle pastel background, scholarly ambience","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly classroom scene, detailed textiles and manuscripts, calligraphic cartouche showing ‘ग्लौ’ ‘नौ’, marginalia with numeric mnemonic (8/2/4), delicate brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुरुर्ग्लौ → गुरुः ग्लौ; गणाविह → गणौ इह; वसवोष्टौ → वसवः अष्टौ; वेदादित्यादिलोपतः → वेद-आदित्य-आदि-लोपतः (समास/सन्धि-विग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 327 (Chandaḥ-sāra: gaṇa/laghu-guru rules); Agni Purana 328 (Chandaḥ-sāra: Vedic metres and expansions)
FAQs
It teaches a chandas (prosody) rule: syllable-weight determination around the upadhmānīya, and it records gaṇa nomenclature (glau, nau) plus mnemonic counting (Vasus=8, lips=2, quarters=4) used in metrical/phonetic instruction.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves technical śāstra material—here, Sanskrit phonetics and prosody—showing its role as a compendium that includes linguistic sciences alongside ritual, polity, and arts.
Correct prosody and phonetic recitation supports accurate mantra/śāstra transmission; preserving correct sound-structure is traditionally regarded as meritorious because it safeguards Vedic and Purāṇic learning.