Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 18
Chapter 363: नृब्रह्मक्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
Groups of terms for Men, Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
पश्चान्नितम्बः स्त्रीकट्याः क्लीवे तु जघनं पुरः कूपकौ तु नितम्बस्थौ द्वयहीने ककुन्दरे
paścānnitambaḥ strīkaṭyāḥ klīve tu jaghanaṃ puraḥ kūpakau tu nitambasthau dvayahīne kakundare
ส่วนด้านหลังบริเวณสะโพกของสตรีเรียกว่า ‘นิตัมพะ’ แต่ในผู้เป็นกะเทย/ขันทีเรียกว่า ‘ชฆนะ’ รอยบุ๋มสองแห่งที่อยู่บนสะโพกเรียกว่า ‘กูปกะ’ และที่ซึ่งไม่มีรอยบุ๋มเป็นคู่เรียกว่า ‘กะกุนทะระ’
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to Vashistha (implied recipient)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Clarifies gender/sex-specific anatomical lexemes used in śāstra and kośas, supporting unambiguous description in medicine and grammar/lexicography.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nitamba–jaghana–kūpaka–kakundara (Buttock-region nomenclature)","lookup_keywords":["nitamba","jaghana","kūpaka","kakundara","nितम्ब"],"quick_summary":"Distinguishes terms for the posterior region by gender/sex category and notes specific sub-features (paired depressions) for precise description."}
Concept: Bheda-jñāna (differentiation) in naming supports accurate communication.
Application: Apply fine-grained terms when teaching anatomy or interpreting older texts with gendered lexicon.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana / Kosha (Anatomical-Nomenclature: body-part synonyms and lexicography)
Primary Rasa: Samanya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An annotated posterior-view body diagram highlighting buttock region with marked paired depressions and terminology notes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, simplified posterior human figure; highlighted gluteal area with two small dimples labeled kūpaka; surrounding labels nitamba, jaghana, kakundara; manuscript-like margins.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, decorative border; a medical chart panel showing posterior hips with gold-highlighted callouts; scholar holding stylus; minimal but clear labels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: posterior pelvis outline with precise callouts for paired depressions; small legend explaining nitamba/jaghana usage; clean, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, physician and assistant examining a patient’s posterior hip region (modest drapery), with a small inset diagram labeling kūpaka and kakundara; fine linework and muted tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पश्चान्नितम्बः = पश्चात् + नितम्बः. नितम्बस्थौ treated as compound नितम्ब-स्थौ. द्वयहीने = द्वय-हीने.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 363.17-20 (continuation of kośa-style anatomical paryāyas)
FAQs
This verse imparts kosha-style technical vocabulary: precise Sanskrit terms for the buttock/hip region and its anatomical features (nitamba, jaghana, kūpaka, kakundara), including usage distinctions by gender/sex-category.
Beyond mythology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves systematic reference-knowledge—here, lexicography and anatomical nomenclature—functioning like a compact Sanskrit glossary embedded within a Purana.
The verse is primarily classificatory rather than devotional; its value lies in accurate speech and understanding of śāstric terminology, supporting correct study, recitation, and transmission of learned disciplines.