Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
अथवार्कचतुर्विंशषड्त्रिंशन्मालिका द्विजः अनामामध्यमाङ्गुष्ठैर् मन्दाद्यैः मालिकार्थिभिः
athavārkacaturviṃśaṣaḍtriṃśanmālikā dvijaḥ anāmāmadhyamāṅguṣṭhair mandādyaiḥ mālikārthibhiḥ
Теперь, о двиджа (дваждырождённый): Маликā (Mālikā), метрическая серия, состоит из (единиц) двадцати четырёх и тридцати шести. Ищущие Маликā должны понимать/выстраивать её посредством пальцевых мер счёта, начиная с manda и прочих, пользуясь namā, madhyamā и aṅguṣṭha (большим пальцем).
Lord Agni (narrating the encyclopedic disciplines to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Identify/construct Mālikā metrical patterns using prescribed mātrā/akṣara counts and finger-counting (tāla-like) methods for composition and recitation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mālikā-chandas (24/36 Units) and Finger-Measure Method","lookup_keywords":["malika-chandas","prosody","24","36","angushtha"],"quick_summary":"Defines the Mālikā metrical series as built from 24 and 36 units, to be grasped through finger-count measures (namā, madhyamā, aṅguṣṭha) and rhythmic categories beginning with manda."}
Concept: Systematic knowledge of chandas enables accurate transmission of sacred and literary speech.
Application: Use finger-counting to check mātrā totals while composing/reciting, ensuring metrical correctness.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas and Prosody: mālikā-metre patterns)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher instructs a student in Mālikā meter, counting rhythmic units on fingers (thumb, middle finger, etc.), with a palm-leaf prosody chart showing 24 and 36 unit patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and śिष्य seated with palm-leaf manuscript, hands prominently showing finger-counting, stylized prosody symbols, warm temple-school ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, scholarly scene with gold-embellished manuscript borders, guru demonstrating finger-counting for meter, student holding stylus, decorative frame and halo-like backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear pedagogical composition: finger positions labeled, 24/36 unit grid on manuscript, calm classroom setting, fine lines and soft colors for instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, literary salon: poet-teacher counting meter on fingers, scribe noting 24/36 patterns, detailed textiles and bookstand, refined facial expressions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: athavā + arka- → athavārka-; aṅguṣṭhaiḥ (visarga sandhi in recitation) written as अङ्गुष्ठैर्; ṣaḍ + triṃśan- → ṣaṭtriṃśan- (assimilation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (Sāhitya-śāstra: chandas/prastāra context)
FAQs
It teaches a chandas (prosody) rule: how Mālikā-type metres are defined by specific counts (noted here as 24 and 36) and verified via a traditional finger-counting method using the thumb, middle, and ring fingers with measures beginning from “manda.”
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves technical śāstras; this verse is part of its Sanskrit literary science section, documenting practical metrical theory used in composing and analyzing kāvya.
Mastery of correct chandas supports accurate recitation and refined composition; in the Purāṇic view, disciplined speech and properly measured verse aid clarity, preserve tradition, and are treated as meritorious learning (vidyā-dāna/adhyayana).