Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 48
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
द्विधा चक्रं चतुररं षडरन्तत्र चादिमं पूर्वार्धे सदृशा वर्णाः पादप्रथमपञ्चमाः
dvidhā cakraṃ caturaraṃ ṣaḍarantatra cādimaṃ pūrvārdhe sadṛśā varṇāḥ pādaprathamapañcamāḥ
अत्र चक्रं द्विधा विभज्यते; चतुररं षडरं च भवति, आद्यविन्यासः प्रधानः। पूर्वार्धे पादस्य प्रथमपञ्चमस्थौ वर्णौ सदृशौ भवतः॥
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Prosodic analysis using a cakra (wheel) model: mapping syllable positions across pādas, identifying correspondence rules (e.g., 1st and 5th syllables matching) to validate or generate metrical patterns.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Chandas-cakra rule: dvibhāga wheel with caturara/ṣaḍara and 1st–5th syllable correspondence","lookup_keywords":["chandas cakra","pāda varṇa-sāmya","caturara ṣaḍara","prosody rule","syllable positions"],"quick_summary":"A metrical ‘wheel’ is partitioned and spoke-counted to encode constraints; in the first half, the first and fifth syllables of each pāda must correspond, aiding metrical checking and composition."}
Concept: Order (krama) and correspondence (sādṛśya) as the basis of metrical correctness.
Application: Use the positional rule (1st=5th in each pāda for the specified segment) as a quick diagnostic when scanning verses or teaching students chandas.
Khanda Section: Chandas-Shastra (Prosody & Metrics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic ‘wheel’ diagram split into two halves, showing a four-spoke and six-spoke arrangement, with pāda syllable positions marked; the 1st and 5th positions are highlighted as matching.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural aesthetic applied to a teaching scene: a guru points to a painted chandas-cakra on a palm-leaf board, spokes clearly drawn, highlighted 1st and 5th markers, subdued temple-school setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style instructional panel: ornate circular cakra with gold accents on spokes, highlighted syllable nodes, guru and students seated, rich decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, crisp geometric wheel chart with labeled spokes and syllable indices, didactic classroom mood, fine lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a poet-metrician demonstrating a circular prosody chart, delicate annotations, courtly study room, precise geometry and calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षडरन्तत्र = षडरम् + तत्र; चादिमम् = च + आदिमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (chandas/prosody subsections around 342.48–50)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule from Chandas-śāstra: a ‘cakra’ (wheel-diagram) classification of metrical patterns and a positional constraint that the 1st and 5th syllables in each pāda correspond in the first half.
Beyond mythology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves formal linguistic sciences—here, Sanskrit metrics—showing its encyclopedic coverage of śāstric disciplines used in composing and validating kāvya and stotra literature.
By standardizing correct metrical composition for hymns and praises, it supports accurate recitation and well-formed stotra/kāvya, traditionally held to enhance the efficacy and purity (śuddhi) of devotional speech.