Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 15
Chapter 363: नृब्रह्मक्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
Groups of terms for Men, Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
स्नायुः स्त्रियां कालखण्डयकृती तु समे इमे स्यात् कर्पूरः कपालो ऽस्त्री कीकसङ्कुल्यमस्थि च
snāyuḥ striyāṃ kālakhaṇḍayakṛtī tu same ime syāt karpūraḥ kapālo 'strī kīkasaṅkulyamasthi ca
‘ஸ்நாயு’ என்ற சொல் பெண்பால். ‘காலகண்ட’ மற்றும் ‘யக்ருதீ’ இருபால் (சாதாரண பால்). ‘கர்ப்பூரம்’, ‘கபாலம்’, ‘கீகசங்குல்யம்’, ‘அஸ்தி’ ஆகியவை பெண்பால் அல்ல (பயன்பாட்டில் ஆண்பால்/நடுப்பால்).
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Correct grammatical gender (liṅga) and usage for technical nouns in medical/lexical contexts—supporting accurate composition, recitation, and interpretation of śāstric passages.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Liṅga-nirdeśa: snāyu (strī), kālakhaṇḍa/yakṛtī (ubhayaliṅga), karpūra/kapāla/asthi (astrī)","lookup_keywords":["snāyu strīliṅga","yakṛtī ubhayaliṅga","karpūra liṅga","kapāla","asthi"],"quick_summary":"A compact gender-usage note for select nouns; it prevents grammatical errors in śāstric Sanskrit and clarifies dictionary conventions (strī/ubhayaliṅga/astrī)."}
Concept: Śabda-śuddhi (linguistic correctness) as a tool for preserving and transmitting knowledge accurately.
Application: Apply correct liṅga in declension and agreement when writing/commenting on Ayurveda and other śāstras.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Nighaṇṭu / Lexicography: grammatical-gender and synonym lists)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grammar-lexicon classroom: a scholar points to a word-list showing snāyu (f.), yakṛtī (common), karpūra/kapāla/asthi (non-feminine), with declension tables beside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar-teacher with palm-leaf manuscript, large stylized Devanagari words ‘snāyu’, ‘yakṛtī’, ‘karpūra’, decorative borders, students seated attentively.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf emphasis on manuscript and letters, seated paṇḍita teaching liṅga rules, ornate frame, rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, crisp instructional layout: word list with gender markers (strī/ubhayā/astrī), small declension grid, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like setting with scholars, open lexicon folios, calligraphic word list with marginal gender notes, refined architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कपालो ऽस्त्री = कपालः + अस्त्री (visarga elision before vowel with avagraha); कीकसङ्कुल्यमस्थि = कीकसङ्कुल्यम् + अस्थि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 363 (nighaṇṭu/lexicography and terminology portions)
FAQs
This verse imparts śābdika-jñāna (lexical-grammatical knowledge): it classifies specific nouns by grammatical gender (feminine, common gender, and non-feminine), useful for correct Sanskrit composition and recitation.
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical reference material—here, a mini-lexicon of noun genders and technical terms (including anatomical vocabulary), functioning like a handbook for scholars, poets, and priests.
Its significance is indirect: accurate language (śuddha-śabda) supports correct mantra/śāstra usage and faithful transmission of sacred knowledge, which traditional dharma regards as meritorious and protective against textual error.