Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 20
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
दृष्टिवक्त्रविचेष्टितैर् इति ग , घ , छ , झ , ञ च स्वचरैर् इति ज विफले इति घ , झ , ञ च पौराद्याश्चोपकुर्वन्ति संश्रयादिह दुर्दिनं तूष्णीं युद्धं जनत्राणं मित्रामित्रपरिग्रहः
dṛṣṭivaktraviceṣṭitair iti ga , gha , cha , jha , ña ca svacarair iti ja viphale iti gha , jha , ña ca paurādyāścopakurvanti saṃśrayādiha durdinaṃ tūṣṇīṃ yuddhaṃ janatrāṇaṃ mitrāmitraparigrahaḥ
Sa pariralang “dṛṣṭi-vaktra-viceṣṭitaiḥ” ay tinutukoy ang mga titik na ga, gha, cha, jha at ña; sa “svacaraiḥ” ay ang titik na ja; sa “viphale” ay ang mga titik na gha, jha at ña. Dagdag pa, ang mga taga-lungsod at iba pa ay tumutulong dito dahil sa pag-asa/pagkanlong: sa panahon ng sakuna, pananahimik, digmaan, pagligtas sa bayan, at sa pagpili ng kaibigan at kaaway.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purana dialog frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Mnemonic/lexicographic encoding of phonemes (varṇa-saṅketa) for grammatical/phonetic instruction, alongside a nīti-list of situations where dependents/clients (āśritas) render aid or seek refuge (calamity, war, etc.).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Varṇa-saṅketa (Letter-Coding) and Āśraya-Nīti Situations","lookup_keywords":["dṛṣṭi-vaktra-viceṣṭitaiḥ","ga gha cha jha ña","svacaraiḥ ja","viphale gha jha ña","āpada yuddha janatrāṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a compact code mapping phrases to specific consonants, and lists contexts (calamity, silence/secret counsel, war, public protection, friend–foe alignment) in which townsmen and dependents act based on refuge/obligation."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic emphasis)
Concept: Knowledge as operational coding: precise control of sound (varṇa) and precise classification of civic-political situations for action.
Application: Use as a teaching aid for phonetics/grammar; in governance, maintain protocols for secrecy, wartime mobilization, and alliance management.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Vyakarana: phonetics/linguistics and lexicography-style lists)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-scribe points to a phonetic chart highlighting ga/gha/cha/jha/ña and ja; beside it, a civic scene of townsmen assisting during calamity and war, with secret counsel (silence) and alliance banners for friend/foe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-register composition: upper—guru with palm-leaf manuscript and varṇa chart (ga gha cha jha ña, ja); lower—townspeople bringing supplies during durdina, soldiers assembling for yuddha, a silent council scene; bold colors, stylized gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated guru with gold-foil halo, ornate manuscript showing consonant groups; side vignettes: war mobilization, relief to citizens, alliance exchange; rich gold detailing and temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional board with Sanskrit letters, arrows mapping phrases to varṇas; adjacent narrative panels for tūṣṇīm (secret meeting), yuddha drill, janatrāṇa (public protection); fine lines, subdued palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like lesson with calligraphic consonants, then bustling city scene: townsmen aiding refugees, soldiers marching, envoys negotiating alliances; intricate architecture and naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पौराद्याश्चोपकुर्वन्ति = पौराद्याः + च + उपकुर्वन्ति. संश्रयादिह = संश्रयात् + इह. Verse contains editorial letter-labels (ग, घ, छ, झ, ञ, ज) treated as indeclinable markers.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on chandas/śikṣā/vyākaraṇa lists; Rājadharma passages on mitra-amitra and āpada-yuddha
FAQs
It gives a technical, grammar-style mapping of certain quoted word-forms to specific consonants (varṇas), and then lists civic/political contexts in which citizens and others provide assistance—useful for linguistic classification and practical governance vocabulary.
In a single verse it moves from phonetic/lexical notation (a Vyākaraṇa-type register of varṇas) to social–political realities (public support in calamity, war, and protection of people), showing how the Agni Purana compiles both linguistic science and rajadharma-style civic principles.
By emphasizing protection of people, refuge, and proper alignment of allies and adversaries in crisis, it supports dharmic social order; aiding others in duḥkha and safeguarding society is traditionally treated as merit-bearing (puṇya) conduct.