Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 47
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
पटुस्तु पेशलो दक्षो मृगयुर्लुब्धकः स्मृतः चाण्डालस्तु दिवाकीर्तिः पुस्तं लेप्यादिकर्मणि
paṭustu peśalo dakṣo mṛgayurlubdhakaḥ smṛtaḥ cāṇḍālastu divākīrtiḥ pustaṃ lepyādikarmaṇi
Слова ‘paṭu’, ‘peśala’ и ‘dakṣa’ употребляются в значении «умелый/компетентный». Охотник называется ‘mṛgayu’ и также ‘lubdhaka’. ‘cāṇḍāla’ обозначается ещё именем ‘divākīrti’. ‘pustam’ означает оштукатуривание и прочие работы по нанесению покрытий.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in an encyclopedic, glossary-like section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Lexicographic synonymy for precise word-choice in composition, commentary, and administrative writing; also aids learners in semantic equivalence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Synonyms: skilled person, hunter, cāṇḍāla epithet, and ‘pustam’ (plastering)","lookup_keywords":["paṭu","peśala","dakṣa","mṛgayu lubdhaka","pustam lepa"],"quick_summary":"Defines common synonym sets (paṭu/peśala/dakṣa; mṛgayu/lubdhaka) and gives specialized senses (pustam for plastering/coating work), serving as a compact śabda-kośa entry."}
Alamkara Type: Paryāyokti (synonymic expression)
Concept: Śabda-pramāṇa in worldly knowledge: correct naming and synonymy as a tool for learning and communication.
Application: Improves comprehension of texts and accuracy in drafting, teaching, and commentary by mapping multiple words to one meaning and noting technical senses.
Khanda Section: Nighaṇṭu / Śabda-kośa (Lexicography and Synonyms)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher in a gurukula points to a palm-leaf lexicon while students repeat synonym sets; in a side vignette, artisans plaster a wall (lepa/pustam) to show the technical meaning.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru seated with palm-leaf, students in rows, side panel of workers applying plaster on temple wall, earthy reds/ochres, bold outlines, decorative script band with paṭu peśala dakṣa; mṛgayu lubdhaka; pustam.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, guru with golden arch backdrop, students holding stylus and palm leaves, small inset of plastering work with gold highlights on tools, rich ornamentation and textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with labeled synonym pairs in neat cartouches, delicate shading, inset showing plaster application on wall surface, emphasis on clarity and pedagogy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like lesson scene with calligraphic panels of synonyms, naturalistic plasterers in courtyard applying coating, fine architectural detail and patterned floor tiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पटुस्तु → पटुः + तु; चाण्डालस्तु → चाण्डालः + तु; दिवाकीर्तिः → दिवा + कीर्तिः; लेप्यादिकर्मणि → लेप्य + आदि + कर्मणि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (Nighaṇṭu/Śabda-kośa synonym lists); Agni Purana 366 (Nāmaliṅgānuśāsana: nouns and genders)
FAQs
It functions as lexical instruction: it teaches precise synonym-sets for competence (paṭu/peśala/dakṣa), hunting terms (mṛgayu/lubdhaka), a social designation (cāṇḍāla/divākīrti), and a technical building/finishing term (pusta) used for plastering and coating work (lepa).
Beyond myths and rituals, the Agni Purana preserves nighaṇṭu-style vocabulary lists spanning professions, social categories, and technical crafts—showing it as a reference compendium for language and applied knowledge.
Direct karmic merit is not the focus here; the significance is indirect—right understanding and correct usage of terms supports accurate transmission of dharma, ritual instructions, and technical procedures, reducing error (doṣa) in practice and study.