Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
शूकरी परपुष्टा च पुन्नामानश् च वामतः प्रतिलोमास्तथेत्यादिः, सिंहमार्जारगर्दभा इत्य् अन्तः पाठः ज भ पुस्तकद्वये नास्ति स्त्रीसञ्ज्ञा भासकारूषकपिश्रीकर्णश्छित्कराः
śūkarī parapuṣṭā ca punnāmānaś ca vāmataḥ pratilomāstathetyādiḥ, siṃhamārjāragardabhā ity antaḥ pāṭhaḥ ja bha pustakadvaye nāsti strīsañjñā bhāsakārūṣakapiśrīkarṇaśchitkarāḥ
‘شوکری، پرپُشٹا اور پُنّنامان’; اور بائیں جانب والی چیزیں ‘پرتیلوَم’ (الٹی/مخالف) وغیرہ کہلاتی ہیں۔ ‘سِمْہ–مارجار–گردبھ’ والا اندرونی متن ‘ج’ اور ‘بھ’ نشان زدہ دونوں نسخوں میں موجود نہیں۔ یہ مؤنث نام ہیں: بھاسکا، آروُشکا، پِشریکرنا اور چھِتکرا۔
Lord Agni (as primary narrator of encyclopedic material to Vasiṣṭha; this verse functions as a lexical/kośa-style list with manuscript-note style phrasing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Lexical identification of omen-terms and feminine name-forms used in śakuna lists; helps correct reading/recitation and interpretation across manuscripts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Nāma-varga: śakuna-nāmāni (feminine designations and pratiloma note)","lookup_keywords":["nirukta","nāma-varga","pratiloma","śūkarī","parapuṣṭā"],"quick_summary":"Provides a lexicographic list of omen-related names (noting feminine forms) and flags ‘pratiloma’ (contrary) classification; also preserves a textual variant note."}
Concept: Correct naming (saṃjñā) and classification are prerequisites for reliable applied knowledge (here, omen-reading).
Application: When using śakuna manuals, verify terms, gender-forms, and variants to avoid misapplication of signs.
Khanda Section: Nirukta / Nama-varga (Lexicography: lists of terms and synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar compares palm-leaf manuscripts, listing omen-names and marking a missing internal reading; feminine name-forms are highlighted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, a seated paṇḍita with palm-leaf bundles, stylus and ink pot, two manuscript stacks labeled ‘Ja’ and ‘Bha’, a scroll panel listing śūkarī, parapuṣṭā, punnāmāna, pratiloma, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold on manuscript edges and scholar’s ornaments, a central writing desk, name-list in decorative cartouches, emphasis on ‘strīsaṃjñā’ with floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean didactic layout: left column ‘vāma/pratiloma’, right column names, a scholar pointing to variant note, soft shading and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a library scene, meticulous manuscript details, marginalia indicating variant omission, scholars in discussion, subdued palette with fine brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratilomāstathetyādiḥ = pratilomāḥ tathā iti ādiḥ; ity antaḥ = iti antaḥ; kapiśrīkarṇaśchitkarāḥ = kapiśrīkarṇaḥ chitkarāḥ. This verse contains apparent critical/editorial notes (pāṭhaḥ, ja/bha sigla), analyzed as words as given.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230 (Nirukta/Nāma-varga interleaved with Śakuna lists)
FAQs
This verse imparts kośa/nirukta-style lexical knowledge: it lists specific feminine designations (strīsañjñā) and notes ordering/classification terms like pratiloma (reverse/contrary order), along with a manuscript-variant remark.
By preserving vocabulary lists, gendered noun designations, and even variant readings, the Agni Purana functions like an encyclopedia—covering not only theology and ritual but also practical philology (word-lists, grammatical categories, and textual transmission).
The verse is primarily philological rather than devotional; its value is indirect—supporting accurate recitation, interpretation, and preservation of sacred/purāṇic language, which traditional frameworks treat as meritorious through correct study (svādhyāya) and textual fidelity.