Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 54
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
श्लोकस्याद्यन्तदशमाः समा आद्यन्तिमौ युजोः आदौ वर्णः समौ तुर्यपञ्चमावाद्यतर्ययोः
ślokasyādyantadaśamāḥ samā ādyantimau yujoḥ ādau varṇaḥ samau turyapañcamāvādyataryayoḥ
No metro śloka, a primeira, a última e a décima sílaba são pesadas (guru). Nos pādas pares, a primeira e a última sílaba são pesadas; e, no início dos demais pādas, a quarta e a quinta sílaba são pesadas segundo esta regra.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Śloka-scansion rules: determining guru/laghu positions (especially 1st, 10th, last; and even-pāda constraints) for correct composition, chanting, and teaching of anuṣṭubh/śloka.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śloka (Anuṣṭubh) guru-niyama at fixed syllable positions","lookup_keywords":["sloka-metre","anustubh","guru-laghu","dashama","yuj-pada"],"quick_summary":"States positional heaviness rules in śloka: certain syllables (including the 10th and finals) must be guru, with additional constraints in even pādas. This guides accurate scansion and composition."}
Concept: Discipline of form (niyama) as the basis for intelligibility and beauty in śāstric speech.
Application: Scan each pāda, mark the 1st/10th/last syllables, and ensure guru placement before public recitation or inscription.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Prosody / Metrics)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody lesson: a śloka written in four pādas with guru syllables (1st, 10th, last) marked by heavy strokes; even pādas highlighted separately to show their special constraints.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, teacher and students with a large palm-leaf panel showing four pādas, guru positions marked in black-red, stylized classroom in temple corridor, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, manuscript with gold-highlighted guru marks, scholar holding stylus, ornate border, warm lamp-lit interior.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, neat scansion chart of anuṣṭubh with numbered syllables and guru marks at 1,10,final; even pādas boxed, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, library scene with a calligrapher annotating a verse, small bold marks on specific syllables, refined architectural setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्लोकस्याद्यन्तदशमाः = श्लोकस्य आदि-अन्त-दशमाः; तुर्यपञ्चमावाद्यतर्ययोः = तुर्य-पञ्चमौ आदि-अन्तर्ययोः (sandhi: औ + आ → आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (śloka and vṛtta rules in surrounding verses)
FAQs
It imparts chandas-vidyā: practical rules for recognizing/constructing the śloka metre by fixing certain syllable positions (e.g., 1st, 10th, and last) as guru (heavy).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves technical śāstra material—here, Sanskrit prosody—showing its broad coverage of literary science (sāhitya/chandas) alongside other disciplines.
Correct metre supports accurate recitation and preservation of sacred and classical texts; disciplined, error-free chanting is traditionally regarded as purifying and merit-producing (puṇya) through right speech (vāk-śuddhi).