Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Vedaśākhā-dikīrtana
Enumeration of the Vedic Branches) and Purāṇa-Vaṃśa (Lineages of Transmission
उक्था ऊहचतुर्थञ्च मन्त्रा नवसहस्रकाः सचतुःशतकाश् चैव ब्रह्मसङ्घटकाः स्मृताः
ukthā ūhacaturthañca mantrā navasahasrakāḥ sacatuḥśatakāś caiva brahmasaṅghaṭakāḥ smṛtāḥ
Ang Uktha at ang Ūha—kasama ang “ikaapat” (karagdagang uri)—ay mga mantra na may bilang na siyam na libo at apat na raan; ang mga ito ay inaalala bilang brahma-saṅghaṭaka, ang mga yunit ng mantrang Veda na tinipon at pinagsama-sama.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, narrating to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Quantitative classification of mantra corpora (Uktha, Ūha, and a supplementary ‘fourth’) for anukramaṇī-style indexing, curriculum design, and ensuring completeness in recitation/collection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Brahma-saṅghaṭaka Mantra-Units: Uktha, Ūha, and Supplementary Class; Total Count","lookup_keywords":["Uktha","Ūha","brahma-saṅghaṭaka","mantra count","anukramaṇī"],"quick_summary":"Defines a compiled set of mantra-units (brahma-saṅghaṭakas) grouped as Uktha, Ūha, and a supplementary class, giving a total of 9,400—useful for textual accounting and recitational catalogues."}
Alamkara Type: Sankhya (enumerative style)
Concept: Vedic knowledge is preserved through systematic compilation and classification (saṅghaṭana), not merely through isolated hymns.
Application: Apply the categories as a checklist for manuscript collation, recitation syllabi, or digital cataloguing of mantra corpora.
Khanda Section: Chandas & Vedic-Recitation Taxonomy (Vedic meters, recensions, and mantra-classification)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scholar compiles mantra collections: three labeled bundles ‘Uktha’, ‘Ūha’, and ‘Caturtha’; a tally board or counting beads indicating 9,400; scribes arranging palm-leaf stacks into an ordered archive.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, archive-like āśrama interior, scholar with stylus and palm leaves, three manuscript bundles labeled Uktha/Ūha/Caturtha, counting beads and tally marks showing 9400, warm ochres and greens, frontal iconic figures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central compiler-sage with gold halo-like backdrop, ornate manuscript bundles with gold detailing, a counting board indicating 9400, rich reds and greens, decorative border emphasizing ‘compiled brahma-saṅghaṭaka’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: neatly arranged labeled stacks (Uktha, Ūha, Fourth), clear numeric panel ‘9400’, fine linework, calm scholarly setting with inkpot and stylus.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous scriptorium scene with scribes, labeled bundles, a clerk recording ‘9400’, patterned carpets, delicate architectural niche, naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऊहचतुर्थञ्च = ऊह-चतुर्थम् + च; सचतुःशतकाश् = स-चतुः-शत-काः; चैव = च + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 270 (mantra taxonomy and counts)
FAQs
It gives a technical enumeration and categorization of Vedic mantra-units—identifying Uktha, Ūha, and a supplementary ‘fourth’ grouping—and states their total count as 9,400 within a recognized compilation (brahma-saṅghaṭaka).
Beyond mythology, it preserves a catalog-like, śāstra-style record of Vedic liturgical taxonomy—how mantras are grouped, named, and counted—showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of technical religious knowledge.
By emphasizing correct traditional classification and totals, it supports accurate preservation and performance of Vedic recitation—considered essential for ritual efficacy (yajña-siddhi) and the merit (puṇya) accruing from precise mantra practice.