Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 5
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
सर्वं शास्त्रमविद्वद्भिर्मृग्यमाणन्न सिध्यति आदिवर्णा द्वितीयाश् च महाप्राणस्तुरीयकः
sarvaṃ śāstramavidvadbhirmṛgyamāṇanna sidhyati ādivarṇā dvitīyāś ca mahāprāṇasturīyakaḥ
Walang śāstra ang tunay na napagwawagi kapag hinahanap ng di-natututo. Ang unang pangkat ng mga titik, ang ikalawang pangkat, at ang ikaapat ay dapat makilalang mga tunog na ‘mahāprāṇa’—mga tunog na may malakas na pagbuga ng hininga.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Learn varṇa-classification (especially mahāprāṇa/aspirated consonants) as a prerequisite for correct pronunciation, recitation, and grammatical study.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mahāprāṇa varṇas and the need for learning","lookup_keywords":["mahāprāṇa","varṇa-varga","uccāraṇa","śikṣā","vyākaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Śāstra cannot be mastered without learning; the verse points to phonetic classes and identifies the strongly aspirated (mahāprāṇa) sounds, stressing foundational phonetics for all disciplines."}
Concept: Competence (vidvat) is required for śāstra-siddhi; phonetic foundations enable higher learning.
Application: Begin with śikṣā/phonetics: practice aspirated vs unaspirated pairs (ka/kha, ca/cha, ṭa/ṭha, ta/tha, pa/pha) with breath control and clear articulation.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana (Sanskrit Grammar & Phonetics / Varna-vidya)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A phonetics lesson: teacher demonstrates aspirated consonants with a hand near the mouth showing breath, students repeat; a chart of varga consonants highlights mahāprāṇa letters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gurukula scene with students seated, teacher demonstrating breathy pronunciation, stylized varṇa chart on a wooden board, earthy tones, clear gestures emphasizing prāṇa","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central guru with gold halo, students holding palm leaves, gold-highlighted varṇa grid with mahāprāṇa letters emphasized, ornate frame, didactic sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat instructional classroom, detailed varga table (ka-varga to pa-varga) with aspirated column highlighted, soft colors, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like phonetics class adapted to Sanskrit gurukula, detailed manuscript folios showing consonant grid, teacher demonstrating aspiration, refined interior"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अविद्वद्भिर्मृग्यमाणम् = अविद्वद्भिः + मृग्यमाणम्; मृग्यमाणन्न = मृग्यमाणम् + न (anusvāra sandhi in transmission). आदिवर्णा = आदि-वर्णाः (compound). महाप्राणस्तुरीयकः = महाप्राणः + तुरीयकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336.6 (varṇa-vṛnda, pada, vākya definitions)
FAQs
It teaches a Vyākaraṇa/Śikṣā principle: śāstra requires competent learning, and it introduces phonetic classification by identifying certain varṇa-groups as mahāprāṇa (strongly aspirated) sounds.
Alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves technical language-science (śikṣā/phonetics and grammar), showing its scope as a compendium of practical and scholarly disciplines.
Correct learning and correct pronunciation underpin accurate mantra recitation; the verse implies that disciplined study and phonetic precision protect the efficacy and purity of sacred speech.