Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 13
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
लिपौ चतुष्पथस्थायामाख्यवर्णपदान्तराः सिद्धाः साध्या द्वितीयस्थाः सुसिद्धा वैरिणः परे
lipau catuṣpathasthāyāmākhyavarṇapadāntarāḥ siddhāḥ sādhyā dvitīyasthāḥ susiddhā vairiṇaḥ pare
நான்கு வழிச்சந்தியில் கிடைத்த எழுத்தை வைத்து சகுனம் காணும்போது, எழுத்துகளும் சொற்களுக்கிடையிலான இடைவெளிகளும் இவ்வாறு பொருள் கொள்ளப்பட வேண்டும்—முதல் நிலையில் இருப்பவை ‘சித்த’ (வெற்றி); இரண்டாம் நிலையில் இருப்பவை ‘சாத்ய’ (சாதிக்க வேண்டியது); ‘சு-சித்த’ என்பதும் இரண்டாம் நிலையிலேயே; மேலும் அடுத்த நிலைகளில் ‘வைரி’ (எதிரி) குறிக்கப்படுகின்றனர்।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Reading nimitta (omens) from chance-written letters found at crossroads to judge success, pending work, and opposition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Crossroads Writing Omen (Lipi-nimitta) Interpretation by Position","lookup_keywords":["lipi nimitta","catuṣpatha","akṣara-pada-antara","siddha sādhya","vairin omen"],"quick_summary":"Writing found at a four-way crossroads is read by positional classes: first indicates siddha (success), second indicates sādhya (to be accomplished) and su-siddha (very successful), while further positions indicate opponents (vairin)."}
Concept: Nimitta as a coded sign-system where spatial placement maps to outcomes (success/pending/opposition).
Application: Use positional rules to decide whether to proceed, delay, or take protective measures against rivals.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Nimitta-shastra (Omens and predictive signs)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Samanya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A four-way crossroads with a scrap of writing on the ground; a learned omen-reader points to letters and word-gaps, marking positions as siddha, sādhya, su-siddha, and vairin.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and ochres, a crossroads with four directions indicated, a nimitta-śāstrin in white cloth examining a palm-leaf-like writing, symbolic labels for siddha/sādhya/vairin, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents, central omen-reader holding a stylus and manuscript, crossroads rendered symmetrically, gilded directional motifs, small cartouches reading siddha and sādhya, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional diagram feel: crossroads grid with letter clusters placed in positions, a calm scholar demonstrating interpretation, soft pastel background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed street-crossroads scene with townsfolk, a scholar crouched reading a written slip, fine calligraphy-like letters, marginal notes indicating success and enemy positions, naturalistic architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuṣpathasthāyām + ākhyavarṇapadāntarāḥ → catuṣpathasthāyāmākhyavarṇapadāntarāḥ (ā-sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (Nimitta/Jyotiṣa context)
FAQs
It teaches a nimitta (omen-reading) method: interpreting letters and even the spaces between words in writing encountered at a crossroads, mapping their positions to outcomes like success, attainability, and the presence of enemies.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied predictive sciences (Jyotisha/Nimitta)—practical rules for interpreting everyday signs (like inscriptions at crossroads), showing its wide-ranging coverage of divination, social practice, and decision-making tools.
As a nimitta guideline, it frames the world as morally and karmically patterned—signs are read as indicators of favorable or adverse fruition, encouraging cautious action, restraint, and alignment with dharma when outcomes appear obstructed or hostile.