Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 347: One-syllable Appellations (एकाक्षराभिधानम्)
मन्त्राः पृथक् पृथग्वा स्युर्द्विरेफद्विर्मुखाक्षिणः* कात्यायनं अकन्द आह यत्तद्व्याकरणं वदे
mantrāḥ pṛthak pṛthagvā syurdvirephadvirmukhākṣiṇaḥ* kātyāyanaṃ akanda āha yattadvyākaraṇaṃ vade
ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ, ਇਕ-ਇਕ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੀ ਜਪੇ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ; ਜਾਂ ‘ਰੇਫ’ (ਰ੍) ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਗਣਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਤੇ ‘ਮੁਖ’ ਤੇ ‘ਅਕ੍ਸ਼ਿ’ ਵਰਗ ਦੇ ਅੱਖਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਦੁੱਗਣਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਵਿਨਿਆਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਅਕੰਦ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਤ੍ਯਾਯਨ ਦਾ ਮਤ ਕਿਹਾ ਹੈ; ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਉਹ ਵਿਆਕਰਣ-ਨਿਯਮ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹਾਂ।
Lord Agni (teaching the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic śāstra-material to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guidance on mantra-text formation/recitation variants and orthographic doubling (dvitva) rules as attributed to Kātyāyana tradition for correct mantra-pāṭha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantra-pāṭha Variants and Dvitva (Double Repha / Letters) Rule","lookup_keywords":["dvirepha","dvitva","mantra pāṭha","Kātyāyana","Akanda"],"quick_summary":"States that mantras may be recited separately or arranged with prescribed letter-doubling (e.g., doubled ‘r’), presenting it as a grammatical/phonetic rule in the Kātyāyana line."}
Concept: Śabda-śuddhi (phonetic/orthographic correctness) is integral to mantra efficacy and textual transmission.
Application: When copying/reciting mantras, follow established dvitva conventions and recognized variant arrangements; avoid arbitrary spellings that break tradition.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana (Sanskrit Grammar) / Shabda-shastra
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe and teacher examine a manuscript of mantras, pointing to doubled letters (dvirepha) and discussing correct pāṭha; palm-leaf folios and inked exemplars shown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholarly scene in a temple library, guru pointing to palm-leaf with highlighted doubled ‘ra’ marks, student listening, warm lamp light, stylized script motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated guru with manuscript, gold-highlighted Sanskrit letters showing dvirepha, student with stylus, ornate border suggesting śāstra authority","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram: examples of single vs doubled repha and other doubled letters, guru-student setting, clean lines and legible script blocks","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like manuscript room, scholars comparing exemplars, fine calligraphy with emphasized doubled letters, subdued palette and intricate textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pṛthagvā = pṛthak vā; dvirephadvirmukhākṣiṇaḥ = dvi-repha-dvi-mukha-akṣiṇaḥ; yattadvyākaraṇaṃ = yat tat vyākaraṇam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 348.1 (transition to formal Vyākaraṇa chapter; note on textual defects)
FAQs
It gives a grammatical/phonetic rule for mantra handling: mantras can be treated individually, and certain recensional forms may feature doubled sounds—especially doubled ‘r’ (repha) and other specified letter-classes—citing Kātyāyana as authority.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves śāstric material like Vyākaraṇa and phonetics, showing how mantra-practice is linked to technical language-science and traditional grammatical authorities.
By insisting on correct mantra-form and sanctioned phonetic variants, it supports accurate recitation—traditionally held to preserve efficacy (śakti) and ensure the intended ritual merit (puṇya) is properly generated.