Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 22
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
मात्राभिर्गणना सा जातिरिति काश्यपः सममर्धसमं वृत्तं विषमं पैङ्गलं त्रिधा
mātrābhirgaṇanā sā jātiriti kāśyapaḥ samamardhasamaṃ vṛttaṃ viṣamaṃ paiṅgalaṃ tridhā
Segundo Kāśyapa, a contagem por mātrās (unidades de tempo métrico) chama-se jāti. E o vṛtta (metro), no sistema de Piṅgala, é tríplice: sama, ardhasama e viṣama.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Applying two metrical measurement systems: mātrā-counting for jāti metres (per Kāśyapa) and classifying vṛtta into sama/ardhasama/viṣama (per Piṅgala) for accurate composition and recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jāti by mātrā-count (Kāśyapa) and threefold Vṛtta (Piṅgala): Sama/Ardhasama/Viṣama","lookup_keywords":["mātrā","jāti","Kāśyapa","Piṅgala","sama ardhasama viṣama"],"quick_summary":"Defines jāti as metre measured by mātrās and presents Piṅgala’s tripartite vṛtta classification—sama, ardhasama, viṣama—guiding how to scan and compose different metrical symmetries."}
Concept: Knowledge transmission via named authorities (Kāśyapa, Piṅgala) and operational definitions: metre is validated by measurable units and symmetry patterns.
Application: When scanning: if mātrā-count governs, treat as jāti; if akṣara-counted vṛtta, determine whether all pādas match (sama), alternate/paired match (ardhasama), or differ (viṣama).
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody and Metre)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody lesson showing mātrā marks (laghu/guru timing) and three symmetry patterns of vṛtta: equal, half-equal, and unequal pādas, with Kāśyapa and Piṅgala named as authorities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two sage-figures (Kāśyapa and Piṅgala) in a scholarly hall; palm-leaf charts showing mātrā ticks and three metrical symmetry columns labeled sama/ardhasama/viṣama.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work, sages seated with manuscripts; decorative chart panels illustrating mātrā counting and the three vṛtta classes; rich reds and greens, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, highly instructional: clear tables of mātrā counts, laghu-guru symbols, and three vṛtta symmetry examples; fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars debating with illustrated folios; a central chart displays sama/ardhasama/viṣama patterns; meticulous calligraphy-like metrical notation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मात्राभिर्गणना = मात्राभिः + गणना; जातिरिति = जातिः + इति (विसर्ग-लोप); सममर्धसमं = समम् + अर्धसमम् (सन्धि-लोप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (chandas: jāti and vṛtta subdivisions)
FAQs
It teaches chandas-vidyā (Sanskrit prosody): jāti is defined through mātrā-counting, and vṛtta is classified (per Piṅgala) into sama, ardhasama, and viṣama types for correct composition and recitation.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves technical śāstra material—here, a concise metrical taxonomy citing classical authorities (Kāśyapa and Piṅgala), showing its coverage of linguistic and literary sciences.
Accurate metre supports correct chanting and refined hymn-composition; in a dharmic context, disciplined, well-formed recitation is treated as a purifying act that safeguards meaning and enhances the efficacy of sacred speech.