Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 19
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
कुर्वन्नाचार्यशुश्रूषां सिद्धोत्साही स शिष्यकः स तूपदेश्यः पुत्रश् च विनयी वसुदस् तथा
kurvannācāryaśuśrūṣāṃ siddhotsāhī sa śiṣyakaḥ sa tūpadeśyaḥ putraś ca vinayī vasudas tathā
Người tận tâm phụng sự thầy (ācārya-śuśrūṣā) và luôn tinh tấn kiên định để thành tựu điều cần thành tựu—đó là đệ tử chân chính. Người như vậy xứng đáng được truyền dạy; cũng vậy, người con có kỷ luật (khiêm cung, được rèn luyện) và biết hiến trợ tài vật (hỗ trợ, rộng rãi) cũng đáng được dạy bảo.
Lord Agni (in narration to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the dominant Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Standards for admitting students and determining who is fit for upadeśa; guidance for teacher-student contracts and household support of learning.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śiṣya-lakṣaṇa (qualifications of a disciple)","lookup_keywords":["śiṣya-lakshana","ācārya-śuśrūṣā","vinaya","utsāha","upadeśya"],"quick_summary":"A true disciple serves the teacher attentively, is energetic and goal-oriented, and is humble; such a person is eligible for instruction. The verse also notes disciplined, supportive kin (like a son) as fit recipients/supporters of learning."}
Concept: Adhikāra (eligibility) for knowledge arises from seva, vinaya, and sustained effort, not mere proximity or status.
Application: Before teaching, assess the student’s service attitude, steadiness, and humility; establish routines of guru-śuśrūṣā and measurable tasks to cultivate siddhotsāha (effective diligence).
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Acharya–Shishya Vidhi (Conduct of teacher and student; qualifications for instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A student performing respectful service—fetching water, arranging a seat, and listening attentively—while the teacher observes the student’s humility and energy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ashram courtyard, disciple carrying water pot and broom, guru seated with palm-leaf text, warm earthy tones, clear añjali gesture and attentive gaze.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, disciple offering fruits/cloth to guru, gold leaf on vessels and ornaments, richly patterned floor, calm devotional ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional vignette showing steps of ācārya-śuśrūṣā (cleaning, bringing water, sitting to learn), fine outlines, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic-ashram scene, disciple serving and then seated with notebook, guru pointing to manuscript, delicate architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्वन्नाचार्यशुश्रूषाम् → कुर्वन् आचार्यशुश्रूषाम्; सिद्धोत्साही → सिद्ध-उत्साही; तूपदेश्यः → तु उपदेश्यः; पुत्रश् च → पुत्रः च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (ācārya-śiṣya-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It defines eligibility for receiving instruction: the disciple must serve the teacher (ācārya-śuśrūṣā), show disciplined humility (vinaya), and possess practical steadfastness and supportive capacity (siddhotsāha, vasudatva).
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves pedagogical norms—who may be taught and what character traits safeguard correct transmission of knowledge.
Service to the teacher and disciplined humility are treated as purifying virtues that make learning fruitful and protect sacred knowledge from misuse, producing merit through right conduct.