Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 26
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
माषादयः शमीधान्ये शुकधान्ये यवादयः तृणधान्यानि नीवाराः शूर्पं प्रस्फोटनं स्मृतं
māṣādayaḥ śamīdhānye śukadhānye yavādayaḥ tṛṇadhānyāni nīvārāḥ śūrpaṃ prasphoṭanaṃ smṛtaṃ
Ang itim na munggo at mga katulad na butil-pulso ay inuuri bilang “śamī-butil”; ang sebada at mga kahawig nito ay “śuka-butil.” Ang ligaw na bigas (nīvāra) ay itinuturing na “butil-damo”; at ang bilao/pangwinnow (śūrpa) ay ayon sa kaugalian tinatawag na “prasphoṭana,” ang kasangkapang panlinis at panghiwalay ng ipa.
Lord Agni (in discourse, as narrator of encyclopedic classifications)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Ritual procurement and correct naming/classification of grains and implements for śrauta/smārta offerings, bali, and household rites; avoids dravya-doṣa (wrong substance) in karma.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dravya-paribhāṣā: Dhānya-varga and Śūrpa synonym","lookup_keywords":["māṣa","yava","nīvāra","śamīdhānya","śūrpa prasphoṭana"],"quick_summary":"Defines grain-classes used in ritual vocabulary: pulses as śamī-grains, barley-group as śuka-grains, and nīvāra as grass-grain; also records śūrpa’s technical synonym prasphoṭana for winnowing/cleaning."}
Concept: Śabda-śuddhi and dravya-śuddhi: correct technical nomenclature safeguards the validity of ritual action.
Application: When preparing offerings (havis/anna/bali), select the intended dhānya-variety and use the proper implement-name in instructions and inventories.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Ritual-vidhi (Dravya-paribhasha: classification of grains and ritual implements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual storehouse scene: heaps of black gram, barley, and wild rice labeled by class; a priest demonstrates winnowing with a śūrpa (prasphoṭana).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a yajña-śālā storeroom with labeled grain baskets (māṣa, yava, nīvāra), a brāhmaṇa holding a śūrpa mid-winnow, stylized flames and lotus borders, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents: central śūrpa (prasphoṭana) held by a priest, surrounding gold-embossed grain heaps (māṣa, yava, nīvāra) with ornamental borders, rich reds and greens, devotional yet instructional tableau.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework: diagrammatic arrangement of three grain categories with captions, a detailed śūrpa tool depiction, gentle pastel background, instructional manuscript-plate aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court granary/ritual kitchen corner, attendants sorting grains, a learned pandit pointing to labels ‘śamīdhānya/śukadhānya/tṛṇadhānya’, delicate textiles, architectural niches, meticulous naturalistic grains."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: माषादयः = माष + आदयः; यवादयः = यव + आदयः. शमीधान्ये/शुकधान्ये/तृणधान्यानि are तत्पुरुष compounds.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (dravya-paribhāṣā and nighaṇṭu-style lists)
FAQs
It gives a technical classification of food-grains (pulses, cereals, wild/grass grains) and defines the ritual/agricultural implement śūrpa by the traditional technical term prasphoṭana, useful for correct identification of offering materials and procedures.
Beyond theology, it preserves precise Smṛti-like nomenclature—taxonomy of grains and definitions of tools—supporting practical domains such as ritual-material selection, household/agricultural practice, and textual standardization of technical vocabulary.
Correctly naming and classifying offering substances and implements supports accuracy (yathāvidhi) in rites; such procedural correctness is traditionally linked with purity of action and the intended merit of offerings.