Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 26
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
मन्त्रदूतप्रयाणाजिनियतं नातिविस्तरम् शक्कर्यातिजगत्यातिशक्कर्या त्रिष्टुभा तथा
mantradūtaprayāṇājiniyataṃ nātivistaram śakkaryātijagatyātiśakkaryā triṣṭubhā tathā
مَنتردوت، پریان اور آجِنی—یہ اوزان/بحریں منضبط ہیں اور بہت زیادہ طویل نہیں؛ اسی طرح شَکّری، اَتی جگتی، اَتی شَکّری اور تِرِشٹُبھ بھی (اوزان میں) شمار کیے جاتے ہیں۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identify and employ specific Vedic/classical metres (e.g., Triṣṭubh) and named prosodic varieties for composing hymnic or literary verses with controlled length; useful for chandas-based composition, recitation, and textual analysis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Chandas-nāma-saṅgraha: Mantra-dūta, Prayāṇa, Ājinī, Śakkarī, Ati-jagatī, Ati-śakkarī, Triṣṭubh","lookup_keywords":["chandas","triṣṭubh","jagatī","śakkarī","ājinī"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists several metres and notes their regulated, not overly expansive nature. Use it as a mnemonic index for prosody study and for selecting a metre suited to concise, rule-bound expression."}
Concept: Niyama (rule) and mātrā/akṣara-measure as the basis of disciplined expression.
Application: For composition/recitation, choose a metre and keep to its regulated extent; for analysis, recognize metre-names as indexing devices for prosodic rules.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody and Metre)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody chart showing rows of metre names with bead-like counts (akṣara/mātrā) and a scribe marking regulated lengths; Triṣṭubh highlighted as a major metre.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized palm-leaf chart with metre names in Devanagari, rhythmic wave motifs suggesting cadence, scribe with stylus, Triṣṭubh panel emphasized with bold border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-leaf framing a central prosody chart, decorative beads representing syllable counts, rich reds and greens, Triṣṭubh name embossed in gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram: columns for metre-name and syllable pattern, a teacher pointing with a stick; subdued palette, high legibility.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scriptorium, scholars comparing metrical tables, fine calligraphy of metre names, marginal geometric motifs representing rhythmic units."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāti → na + ati; mantradūtaprayāṇājiniyatam → mantra-dūta-prayāṇa-ādi-niyatam; śakkaryātijagatyātiśakkaryā → śakkaryā + ati-jagatī + ati-śakkaryā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (chandas section: metre names and characteristics)
FAQs
It imparts chandas-vidyā (prosodic knowledge) by listing specific metres and indicating their regulated, non-excessive (standardized) metrical form—useful for composing or identifying correctly metered verses.
By cataloguing metres such as Triṣṭubh and extended forms like Ati-jagatī, the text functions as a compact handbook of Sanskrit literary science (sāhitya/śāstra), alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, etc.).
Correct metre supports accurate recitation and disciplined composition; in traditional understanding, well-formed chandas preserves textual integrity and enhances the efficacy and purity (śuddhi) of sacred or devotional utterance.