Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 16
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
हंसास्यहंसपक्षौ च सन्दंशमुकुलौ तथा आकल्पितं कल्पितञ्चेति ख काङ्गूलकालपद्माविति ञ कांमूलकालपद्मौ काङ्गूलकालपद्मौ एतत्पाठद्वयं न समीचीनं उर्णनाभस्ताम्रचूडश् चतुर्विंशतिरित्यमी
haṃsāsyahaṃsapakṣau ca sandaṃśamukulau tathā ākalpitaṃ kalpitañceti kha kāṅgūlakālapadmāviti ña kāṃmūlakālapadmau kāṅgūlakālapadmau etatpāṭhadvayaṃ na samīcīnaṃ urṇanābhastāmracūḍaś caturviṃśatirityamī
«(Именуются:) “с ликом лебедя” и “с крылом лебедя”; также “щипцеобразный” и “бутоновидный”; далее “неустроенный” и “устроенный” — таково чтение kha-редакции. ña-редакция читает “kāṅgūla–kāla–padma”; (иная имеет) “kāṃmūla–kāla–padma” / “kāṅgūla–padma”. Оба эти разночтения неудовлетворительны. “паукообразный” и “медногребневый” — всего их двадцать четыре.»
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to Sage Vasiṣṭha (dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Text-critical handling of variant readings (pāṭha-bheda) and maintaining accurate technical lists; supports correct transmission of enumerations used in arts/sciences.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pāṭha-bheda note within a 24-item technical list (haṃsāsya etc.)","lookup_keywords":["haṃsāsya","saṃdaṃśa","mukula","ākalpita","kalpita","pāṭha-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Records item-names in a technical catalogue and flags conflicting manuscript recensions (kha/ña), noting unsatisfactory readings; concludes the set totals twenty-four."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic patterning in name-lists)
Concept: Śāstra depends on accurate transmission; variant readings must be evaluated against coherence and count.
Application: When teaching or compiling manuals, preserve recension notes, prefer internally consistent readings, and keep the declared total (24) intact.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas/Varna–Vinyasa and technical lists)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar compares two palm-leaf manuscripts labeled kha and ña, marking variant readings; beside him a board shows a numbered list of 24 item-names including swan-faced, forceps-like, bud-like, spider-like, copper-crested.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar in a library setting with palm leaves, stylus, and ink, two manuscript bundles tagged kha/ña, decorative borders, list-board with 24 marks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated scholar with gold-highlighted palm-leaf bundles, ornate manuscript chest, a gilded panel showing the 24-item enumeration.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition, two columns for variant readings, red correction marks, numbered tally to 24, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier of scribes, detailed calligraphy, marginalia indicating variants, a master editor pointing to the unsatisfactory reading note."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हंसास्यहंसपक्षौ = (हंसास्यः + हंसपक्षः) द्वन्द्व-द्विवचन; सन्दंशमुकुलौ = (सन्दंशः + मुकुलः) द्वन्द्व-द्विवचन; कल्पितञ्चेति→कल्पितम् च इति; पाठे ‘ख/ञ’ इत्यादि सम्पादकीय-संकेताः तथा पाठभेद-वाक्यं (‘एतत्पाठद्वयं…’) अन्तर्गतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (lists of forms/names; concluding saṅkhyā statements)
FAQs
It transmits a technical enumeration used in Sanskrit literary/phonetic classification—listing named forms (e.g., ‘swan-faced’, ‘bud-like’) and noting manuscript-recension variants (kha/ña) for compound items like “kāṅgūla–kāla–padma.”
Instead of narrative theology, it preserves specialist catalogues and even editorial remarks about variant readings—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a compendium that includes śāstra-style lists, technical nomenclature, and transmission history.
The verse is primarily śāstric and classificatory rather than ritual; its value is indirect—supporting correct learning and preservation of authoritative terminology, which traditional dharma regards as meritorious when used for accurate recitation and instruction.