Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 20
Chapter 360 — अव्ययवर्गाः
Groups of Indeclinables
स्राग्झटित्यञ्चसाह्नाय सपदि द्राङ्मङ्खु च द्रुते बलवत् सुष्ठु किमुत विकल्पे किं किमूत च
srāgjhaṭityañcasāhnāya sapadi drāṅmaṅkhu ca drute balavat suṣṭhu kimuta vikalpe kiṃ kimūta ca
“Srāk”, “jhaṭiti”, “añca” và “sāhnāya” có nghĩa ‘nhanh chóng’. “sapadi”, “drāk”, “maṅkhu” và “drute” có nghĩa ‘lập tức/thoăn thoắt’. “balavat” nghĩa là ‘mạnh mẽ, bằng sức lực’. “suṣṭhu” nghĩa là ‘tốt, đúng phép’. “kimuta” dùng theo lối suy luận tăng cường (‘huống chi, càng hơn nữa!’). “kiṃ” dùng trong các phương án lựa chọn. Và “kimūta” cũng dùng theo nghĩa nghi vấn nhấn mạnh/a fortiori ấy.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vashistha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Practical vocabulary for speed, force, correctness, and logical emphasis in composition and commentary; helps choose precise indeclinables/adverbs for narrative pacing and argument.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Adverbs/particles for speed, force, propriety, and a fortiori emphasis","lookup_keywords":["jhatiti","sapadi","drak","balavat","kimuta"],"quick_summary":"Gives synonym sets for ‘quickly/at once’ (srāk, jhaṭiti, añca, sāhnāya; sapadi, drāk, maṅkhu, drute), plus balavat = forcibly, suṣṭhu = well, kimuta/kimūta = a fortiori, kiṃ = alternative. Use to tune tempo and logical force."}
Alamkara Type: Vakrokti support via avyaya choice; tvarita-gati (accelerated narration) through adverb selection
Concept: Nuanced particles govern inference (kimuta) and modality (vikalpa via kiṃ), enabling rigorous expression.
Application: In debate/commentary, use kimuta for a fortiori steps; use kiṃ to mark alternatives; in poetry, select speed-adverbs to control pacing.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Vyakarana & Shabda-kosha: Synonyms/indeclinables and usage)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher demonstrates pacing: a runner for ‘quickly’, a strong arm for ‘balavat’, a neatly arranged offering for ‘suṣṭhu’, and a debate scene for ‘kimuta/kiṃ’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, segmented instructional tableau: swift messenger mid-stride labeled with quick-adverbs, warrior pushing a door for balavat, artisan aligning items for suṣṭhu, two scholars debating with raised hands for kimuta, bold outlines and warm palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central manuscript with gold-leaf headings ‘tvarita’, ‘bala’, ‘suṣṭhu’, ‘kimuta’, surrounding small vignettes (runner, strongman, orderly ritual tray, debating scholars), ornate gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition with icons and captions in Devanagari, emphasis on clarity and fine linework, soft colors, classroom setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, lively court scene: messenger rushing, wrestler exerting force, meticulous attendant arranging objects, scholars in munazara (debate), detailed architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्राग्झटित्यञ्चसाह्नाय → srāk + jhaṭiti + añc + sāhnāya. द्राङ्मङ्खु → drāk + maṅkhu. किमुत → kim + uta. किमूत → kim + ūta/uta (निपात-समासवत् प्रयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 360 (avyaya and nipata usage lists)
FAQs
This verse imparts linguistic vidyā: it catalogues Sanskrit indeclinables and particles, specifying their precise senses (e.g., ‘quickly’, ‘well’, and the a fortiori particle ‘kimuta’) for correct composition and interpretation.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves technical language-knowledge—lists of particles and synonyms—supporting accurate reading of scriptures and refined literary composition, showing its multi-disciplinary, encyclopedic scope.
Mastery of precise word-usage supports correct recitation, understanding, and teaching of sacred texts; such accuracy is traditionally viewed as preserving śāstra, reducing interpretive error, and thereby supporting dharmic merit.