Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
कटको वर्धमानश्चाप्यसङ्गो निषधस् तथा दोलः पुष्पपुटश् चैव तथा मकर एव च
kaṭako vardhamānaścāpyasaṅgo niṣadhas tathā dolaḥ puṣpapuṭaś caiva tathā makara eva ca
ਕਟਕ, ਵਰਧਮਾਨ, ਅਸੰਗ, ਨਿਸਧ; ਦੋਲ, ਪੁਸ਼ਪਪੁਟ ਅਤੇ ਮਕਰ—ਇਹ ਵੀ (ਆਭੂਸ਼ਣ-ਰੂਪ/ਅਲੰਕਾਰਕ ਡਿਜ਼ਾਇਨ) ਦੇ ਨਾਮ/ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਮੰਨੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the encyclopedic catalog of technical terms)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Jewelry design taxonomy for artisans and patrons—selecting, commissioning, and identifying ornament types/motifs (including auspicious and zoomorphic forms).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ābharaṇa-bhedāḥ: Kaṭaka, Vardhamāna, Asaṅga, Niṣadha, Dola, Puṣpa-puṭa, Makara","lookup_keywords":["ābharaṇa","kaṭaka","vardhamāna","dola","puṣpa-puṭa","makara"],"quick_summary":"Lists recognized ornament names/types and motifs; serves as a quick reference for goldsmiths and for ritual/ceremonial adornment standards."}
Concept: Maṅgala-śilpa: adornment as auspicious order—beauty aligned with ritual propriety and social codes.
Application: Choose ornament types appropriate to occasion (pūjā, marriage, festival) and to iconographic convention; artisans follow named standards to meet patron expectations.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra / Abharana-vidhi (Ornaments and decorative forms)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A goldsmith’s workshop displays labeled ornament prototypes: kaṭaka bracelet, vardhamāna motif plaque, asaṅga and niṣadha patterns, dola pendant, puṣpa-puṭa floral cluster, and a makara-shaped earring/pendant.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan and patron in a jewelry workshop, stylized ornaments arranged in a row with clear silhouettes, makara motif prominent, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly adorned deity or royal figure wearing kaṭaka and makara ornaments, heavy gold-leaf embossing, floral puṣpa-puṭa details, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, catalog-like presentation of each ornament type with fine outlines and labels, subtle shading, emphasis on design motifs and symmetry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, jeweler presenting a tray of ornaments to a noblewoman, intricate gem detailing, makara motif rendered with fine brushwork, architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्धमानश्चापि→वर्धमानः च अपि; पुष्पपुटश्→पुष्पपुटः; चैव→च एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (Śilpa/ābharaṇa and decorative taxonomy sections)
FAQs
It transmits technical nomenclature used in Śilpa/ornamentation—names of specific ornament-types and decorative motifs (e.g., kaṭaka bracelet, makara motif) for accurate identification and prescription in craft and ritual contexts.
By cataloging specialized terms from material culture (jewelry and motifs), it functions like a technical glossary—showing the Purana’s scope beyond theology into applied arts (śilpa) and standardized terminology.
Correct knowledge of names and forms supports proper execution of auspicious adornment and iconographic standards; such correctness is traditionally linked with ritual propriety (śuddhi) and merit through accurate sacred craftsmanship.