Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 32
Mantra-paribhāṣā (मन्त्रपरिभाषा) — Colophon/Closure
दूतस्य वाक् प्रदुष्टा सा पूर्वामजार्धनिन्दिता विभक्तैस्तस्य वाक्यान्तैर्विषर्निर्विषकालता
dūtasya vāk praduṣṭā sā pūrvāmajārdhaninditā vibhaktaistasya vākyāntairviṣarnirviṣakālatā
Речь посланника может исказиться и порицается как порок, именуемый «pūrvāmajārdha-ninditā»; а при неверном разделении концов фраз возникает порок «viṣa–nirviṣa–kālatā», то есть из‑за ошибочного членения и темпа слов «яд» превращается в «не‑яд» (или наоборот).
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Editing and training messengers/reciters to avoid meaning-destroying faults caused by wrong word-division (sandhi/vibhakti breaks) and ill-timed pauses.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kāvya-doṣa: Pūrvāmajārdha-ninditā and Viṣa–nirviṣa–kālatā (faulty division/pausing)","lookup_keywords":["kavya-dosha","vakya-shuddhi","pada-vibhaga","viṣa-nirviṣa","dūta-vāk"],"quick_summary":"The verse defines two speech-faults: (1) a messenger’s utterance becoming blameworthy by a specific prior-half censure, and (2) catastrophic semantic reversal when sentence-endings are split or paused wrongly—like turning ‘poison’ into ‘non-poison’."}
Alamkara Type: Doṣa (vakya-doṣa / pada-doṣa)
Concept: Śabda-pramāda (carelessness in speech) causes artha-viparyaya (meaning inversion).
Application: In diplomacy, ritual recitation, and literature, enforce correct segmentation and pausing to preserve intended meaning.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya–dosha and vakya-shuddhi)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal messenger recites a message; scribes and poets point out a dangerous mis-division of words that flips meaning (poison vs non-poison).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, palace hall with a dūta speaking before a king, scholars gesturing to palm-leaf manuscript, highlighted split words showing ‘viṣa’ and ‘nirviṣa’, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king on throne with gold ornamentation, messenger mid-speech, a learned poet holding manuscript, gold leaf accents on court décor, symbolic text panel showing corrected word-division","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional court scene, clear facial expressions of caution, a teacher pointing to syllable breaks on a manuscript, delicate lines and soft colors, emphasis on didactic correction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court assembly, messenger speaking, calligrapher illustrating word breaks, small cartouche showing ‘viṣa/nirviṣa’, fine textiles and architectural detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: amajārdhaninditā → amajārdha-ninditā; vibhaktais tasya → vibhaktaiḥ tasya; vākyāntair viṣaḥ → vākyāntaiḥ viṣaḥ; viṣaḥ nirviṣakālatā → viṣaḥ nirviṣa-kālatā
Related Themes: Agni Purana 293 (Sāhitya-śāstra: kāvya-doṣa, vākya-śuddhi)
FAQs
It teaches kavya/communication technique: avoid named speech-defects in a messenger’s delivery—especially wrong splitting at sentence-endings that can invert meaning (e.g., ‘poison’ vs ‘non-poison’).
Beyond ritual and theology, it preserves applied sastra on language—poetics, semantics, and practical governance communication—showing the Purana’s coverage of refined literary-grammatical standards.
Truthful, precise speech is treated as dharmic conduct; avoiding misleading or corrupted wording prevents harm caused by miscommunication, especially in duties like diplomacy and royal messaging.