Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 38
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
द्विधा गोमूत्रिकां पूर्वामाहुरश्वपदां परे अन्त्याङ्गोमूत्रिकां धेनुं जालबन्धं वदन्ति हि
dvidhā gomūtrikāṃ pūrvāmāhuraśvapadāṃ pare antyāṅgomūtrikāṃ dhenuṃ jālabandhaṃ vadanti hi
पूर्वा गोमूत्रिका द्विधा इति केचिदाहुः; परे ताम् ‘अश्वपदा’ इति वदन्ति। अन्त्याङ्गगोमूत्रिका ‘धेनु’ इति, सा हि ‘जालबन्ध’ इति प्रसिद्धा॥
Lord Agni (instructional narration within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teaching to a sage-tradition audience)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Distinguishing subtypes of gomūtrikā bandha and applying correct nomenclature (aśvapadā, dhenū, jāla-bandha) when composing or analyzing shaped verses and their terminal segments.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gomūtrikā Subtypes: Aśvapadā, Dhenū, and Jāla-bandha","lookup_keywords":["gomūtrikā","aśvapadā","dhenū","jāla-bandha","bandha-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Gomūtrikā is taught as twofold; one subtype is termed aśvapadā by some authorities. When the final segment is arranged in a particular way, it is called dhenū and characterized as a net-like jāla-bandha."}
Alamkara Type: Citra (Bandha-kāvya)
Concept: Precision of saṃjñā: the same generative pattern may admit variant readings and names; terminal conditions define subtype identity.
Application: When teaching or composing, specify which gomūtrikā subtype is intended; check the final limb to determine whether it qualifies as dhenū/jāla.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Alankara: poetic metres and figure-based verse-patterns)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three side-by-side bandha diagrams: a looping gomūtrikā, a stepped aśvapadā path, and a dhenū form with a distinctive final segment, overlaid with a net-like jāla lattice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three decorative panels showing gomūtrikā loop, horse-step diagonal, and cow-shaped terminal flourish, all formed from Sanskrit akṣaras, with a faint lattice background (jāla).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embellished lattice (jāla) behind a central dhenū-shaped akṣara design, flanked by gomūtrikā and aśvapadā diagrams, ornate borders and rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean didactic illustration labeling gomūtrikā (two kinds), aśvapadā, dhenū, and jāla-bandha, with arrows indicating the final limb condition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature folio with marginalia: elegant net lattice and three akṣara-formed shapes, annotations in fine script, courtly workshop setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वामाहुः = पूर्वाम् आहुः; आहुरश्वपदाम् = आहुः अश्वपदाम्; अन्त्याङ्गोमूत्रिकाम् = अन्त्य-अङ्ग-गोमूत्रिकाम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.36 (gomūtrikā half-turn); Agni Purana 342.39-342.40 (vinyāsa procedure)
FAQs
It defines technical classifications of a compositional/metrical arrangement called gomūtrikā and its named variants (aśvapadā, dhenū), identifying a specific form as jāla-bandha (a net-like linked pattern).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs specialized arts such as Sanskrit prosody and pattern-poetry, preserving nomenclature and taxonomies of verse-structures used by poets and scholars.
While primarily technical, mastery of correct chandas and sanctioned compositional forms supports accurate recitation and refined sacred/literary expression, traditionally regarded as merit-enhancing when applied to dharmic praise and instruction.