Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 69
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
निर्मलः प्राप्तसर्वार्थः सकुलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् शरयन्त्रं पुस्तकाय सूत्रं वै पत्रसञ्चयं
nirmalaḥ prāptasarvārthaḥ sakulaḥ svargamāpnuyāt śarayantraṃ pustakāya sūtraṃ vai patrasañcayaṃ
وہ پاکیزہ ہو کر، تمام مقاصد پا کر، اپنے خاندان سمیت جنت (سورگ) کو پہنچتا ہے۔ اور کتاب کے لیے شَرَیَنتر (جلد بندی کا آلہ)، دھاگا اور اوراق کا مجموعہ بھی تیار کرے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha; Agni Purana’s standard didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Manuscript craft and preservation: prepare binding device (śarayantra), thread, and folio stack for durable books; supports long-term transmission of Purāṇic knowledge.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pustaka-vidhi: Binding device (śarayantra), thread, and folio compilation","lookup_keywords":["pustaka-vidhi","patra-sanchaya","lekhana","binding device","sharayantra"],"quick_summary":"The verse links purity and attainment of aims with the practical craft of making a book: assemble folios, thread, and a binding mechanism. It functions as a compact manual cue for manuscript preparation and safeguarding."}
Alamkara Type: Śleṣa (double valence) between spiritual ‘attaining all aims’ and practical ‘book-making apparatus’
Concept: Knowledge is safeguarded through material supports; śuddhi (purity) and saṃgraha (orderly compilation) enable dharma’s continuity.
Application: Maintain clean copying practices, correct folio ordering, robust binding, and safe storage (dry, smoke-protected, insect-guarded) to preserve texts.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Manuscript-making and preservation; Pustaka-vidhi / Lekhana-samgraha)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe and artisan assemble a palm-leaf manuscript: stacking folios, threading them, and fitting a binding/fastener device (śarayantra), in a clean, orderly workspace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple library scene: scribe with stylus and palm leaves, assistant holding thread, wooden covers and fastener device displayed, warm ochres, emphasis on purity and order","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, manuscript-making tableau with gold-highlighted tools and wooden covers, scribe seated on floor, neat folio stack, ornate border suggesting sacred book-craft","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical instructional scene: close-up clarity of folio holes, thread path, binding device placement, labeled tools, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier/library interior: scribes at low desks, palm-leaf bundles, thread spools, binding implements, shelves of manuscripts, meticulous detail and calm scholarly mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वर्गम्+आप्नुयात्→स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana phala-śruti on writing/copying (lekhana) in 382.66; Agni Purana sections touching on śilpa/yantra and practical crafts across the encyclopedic corpus
FAQs
It gives practical instructions for assembling a manuscript/book: arranging folios (patra-sañcaya), using thread (sūtra), and employing a binding/fastening device (śarayantra) for securing the leaves.
Beyond theology, it preserves technical know-how for knowledge management—how texts are physically produced and conserved—showing the Purana’s scope across craft, education, and cultural transmission.
The verse links the preservation/production of texts with purification and merit, stating that one who follows this (knowledge-preserving) practice attains heavenly reward, even benefiting one’s family lineage.