Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 69
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
निर्मलः प्राप्तसर्वार्थः सकुलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् शरयन्त्रं पुस्तकाय सूत्रं वै पत्रसञ्चयं
nirmalaḥ prāptasarvārthaḥ sakulaḥ svargamāpnuyāt śarayantraṃ pustakāya sūtraṃ vai patrasañcayaṃ
ผู้นั้นย่อมบริสุทธิ์ ได้บรรลุประโยชน์ทั้งปวง และพร้อมด้วยวงศ์ตระกูลย่อมถึงสวรรค์ อีกทั้งสำหรับคัมภีร์พึงจัดเตรียมศรยันตระ (เครื่องผูกเข้าเล่ม) ด้าย และชุดใบลาน/แผ่นใบเป็นปึกให้พร้อม
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha; Agni Purana’s standard didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Manuscript craft and preservation: prepare binding device (śarayantra), thread, and folio stack for durable books; supports long-term transmission of Purāṇic knowledge.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pustaka-vidhi: Binding device (śarayantra), thread, and folio compilation","lookup_keywords":["pustaka-vidhi","patra-sanchaya","lekhana","binding device","sharayantra"],"quick_summary":"The verse links purity and attainment of aims with the practical craft of making a book: assemble folios, thread, and a binding mechanism. It functions as a compact manual cue for manuscript preparation and safeguarding."}
Alamkara Type: Śleṣa (double valence) between spiritual ‘attaining all aims’ and practical ‘book-making apparatus’
Concept: Knowledge is safeguarded through material supports; śuddhi (purity) and saṃgraha (orderly compilation) enable dharma’s continuity.
Application: Maintain clean copying practices, correct folio ordering, robust binding, and safe storage (dry, smoke-protected, insect-guarded) to preserve texts.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Manuscript-making and preservation; Pustaka-vidhi / Lekhana-samgraha)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe and artisan assemble a palm-leaf manuscript: stacking folios, threading them, and fitting a binding/fastener device (śarayantra), in a clean, orderly workspace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple library scene: scribe with stylus and palm leaves, assistant holding thread, wooden covers and fastener device displayed, warm ochres, emphasis on purity and order","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, manuscript-making tableau with gold-highlighted tools and wooden covers, scribe seated on floor, neat folio stack, ornate border suggesting sacred book-craft","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical instructional scene: close-up clarity of folio holes, thread path, binding device placement, labeled tools, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier/library interior: scribes at low desks, palm-leaf bundles, thread spools, binding implements, shelves of manuscripts, meticulous detail and calm scholarly mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वर्गम्+आप्नुयात्→स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana phala-śruti on writing/copying (lekhana) in 382.66; Agni Purana sections touching on śilpa/yantra and practical crafts across the encyclopedic corpus
FAQs
It gives practical instructions for assembling a manuscript/book: arranging folios (patra-sañcaya), using thread (sūtra), and employing a binding/fastening device (śarayantra) for securing the leaves.
Beyond theology, it preserves technical know-how for knowledge management—how texts are physically produced and conserved—showing the Purana’s scope across craft, education, and cultural transmission.
The verse links the preservation/production of texts with purification and merit, stating that one who follows this (knowledge-preserving) practice attains heavenly reward, even benefiting one’s family lineage.