Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 52
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
प्रथमे चरमे तस्य षड्तर्णाः पथिमे यदि भवन्ति द्व्यन्तरं तर्हि वृहच्च क्रमुदाहृतं
prathame carame tasya ṣaḍtarṇāḥ pathime yadi bhavanti dvyantaraṃ tarhi vṛhacca kramudāhṛtaṃ
यदि तस्य छन्दसः प्रथमे चरमे च पादे षट्-ताराः (मात्रागणनाः) प्रत्येकं भवन्ति, मध्ये च द्विमात्राव्यवधानं स्यात्, तदा स विन्यासो ‘वृहच्च’ ‘क्रम’ इति चोदाहृतः।
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Matra-chandas identification and composition: counting mātrā/tāra-units per pāda and recognizing named patterns (Vṛhat/Krama) for correct poetic and performative delivery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vṛhat–Krama mātrā-chandas lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["matra-chandas","tara-units","vrihat","krama","pada-matra"],"quick_summary":"Defines a mātrā-based metre: first and last pādas carry six tāra-units each, with a two-unit separation in the middle. This rule helps poets and reciters keep rhythmic integrity."}
Concept: Saṅkhyā (count) as a tool for śabda-siddhi (correct verbal form) in chandas.
Application: Use mātrā-counting to compose/teach metres and to maintain tala-like steadiness in recitation.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Prosody (Sanskrit Metrics / Pingala-style Matra-Chandas)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher demonstrates mātrā-counting on a board/manuscript: first and last pādas marked with six beat-units, and a central gap of two units labeled as the defining feature of Vṛhat/Krama.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru pointing to a rhythmic diagram of pādas with bead-like mātrā marks, students seated, earthy reds/ochres, stylized palm-leaf manuscript enlarged as a teaching panel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru with veena-like rhythmic association, gold-highlighted mātrā beads over the written pādas, ornate frame, devotional-academic ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional chart: four pādas with six mātrā symbols on first and last, two-unit separation in the middle, fine linework, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature classroom in a kitabkhana, scholar counting beats with fingers, manuscript showing mātrā dots, delicate textiles and architectural arches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षड्तर्णाः interpreted as षट्-वर्णाः (orthographic/printing variant). क्रमुदाहृतं = क्रमम् उदाहृतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (mātrā and vṛtta diagnostics nearby verses)
FAQs
It teaches a precise metrical rule in Sanskrit prosody: how to identify the Vṛhat/Krama pattern by counting six tāra (mātrā/beat) units in the first and last pādas with a two-unit interval in the middle.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies technical śāstras; here it preserves chandas-śāstra (metrics), a core tool for composing, analyzing, and reciting Sanskrit poetry and scripture.
Correct chandas supports accurate recitation and transmission of sacred texts; maintaining proper metre is traditionally seen as preserving śabda-śuddhi (purity of sound) and the efficacy of liturgical chanting.