Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 347: One-syllable Appellations (एकाक्षराभिधानम्)
मन्त्राः पृथक् पृथग्वा स्युर्द्विरेफद्विर्मुखाक्षिणः* कात्यायनं अकन्द आह यत्तद्व्याकरणं वदे
mantrāḥ pṛthak pṛthagvā syurdvirephadvirmukhākṣiṇaḥ* kātyāyanaṃ akanda āha yattadvyākaraṇaṃ vade
मन्त्राः पृथक् पृथगपि जप्येरन्; अथवा द्विरेफयुक्ताः, तथा द्विर्मुख-द्विरक्षिवर्णसंयुक्ताश्च स्युः। अकन्देन कात्यायनमतं प्रोक्तम्; तद्व्याकरणनियमं अहं वदामि।
Lord Agni (teaching the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic śāstra-material to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guidance on mantra-text formation/recitation variants and orthographic doubling (dvitva) rules as attributed to Kātyāyana tradition for correct mantra-pāṭha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantra-pāṭha Variants and Dvitva (Double Repha / Letters) Rule","lookup_keywords":["dvirepha","dvitva","mantra pāṭha","Kātyāyana","Akanda"],"quick_summary":"States that mantras may be recited separately or arranged with prescribed letter-doubling (e.g., doubled ‘r’), presenting it as a grammatical/phonetic rule in the Kātyāyana line."}
Concept: Śabda-śuddhi (phonetic/orthographic correctness) is integral to mantra efficacy and textual transmission.
Application: When copying/reciting mantras, follow established dvitva conventions and recognized variant arrangements; avoid arbitrary spellings that break tradition.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana (Sanskrit Grammar) / Shabda-shastra
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe and teacher examine a manuscript of mantras, pointing to doubled letters (dvirepha) and discussing correct pāṭha; palm-leaf folios and inked exemplars shown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholarly scene in a temple library, guru pointing to palm-leaf with highlighted doubled ‘ra’ marks, student listening, warm lamp light, stylized script motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated guru with manuscript, gold-highlighted Sanskrit letters showing dvirepha, student with stylus, ornate border suggesting śāstra authority","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram: examples of single vs doubled repha and other doubled letters, guru-student setting, clean lines and legible script blocks","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like manuscript room, scholars comparing exemplars, fine calligraphy with emphasized doubled letters, subdued palette and intricate textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pṛthagvā = pṛthak vā; dvirephadvirmukhākṣiṇaḥ = dvi-repha-dvi-mukha-akṣiṇaḥ; yattadvyākaraṇaṃ = yat tat vyākaraṇam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 348.1 (transition to formal Vyākaraṇa chapter; note on textual defects)
FAQs
It gives a grammatical/phonetic rule for mantra handling: mantras can be treated individually, and certain recensional forms may feature doubled sounds—especially doubled ‘r’ (repha) and other specified letter-classes—citing Kātyāyana as authority.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves śāstric material like Vyākaraṇa and phonetics, showing how mantra-practice is linked to technical language-science and traditional grammatical authorities.
By insisting on correct mantra-form and sanctioned phonetic variants, it supports accurate recitation—traditionally held to preserve efficacy (śakti) and ensure the intended ritual merit (puṇya) is properly generated.