Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 15
Chapter 363: नृब्रह्मक्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
Groups of terms for Men, Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
स्नायुः स्त्रियां कालखण्डयकृती तु समे इमे स्यात् कर्पूरः कपालो ऽस्त्री कीकसङ्कुल्यमस्थि च
snāyuḥ striyāṃ kālakhaṇḍayakṛtī tu same ime syāt karpūraḥ kapālo 'strī kīkasaṅkulyamasthi ca
Từ snāyu (‘gân/dây chằng’) thuộc giống cái. Các từ kālakhaṇḍa và yakṛtī thuộc giống chung (dùng như cả hai giống). Các từ karpūra (‘long não’), kapāla (‘sọ/bát’), kīkasaṅkulya và asthi (‘xương’) không thuộc giống cái (theo cách dùng: giống đực/trung).
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Correct grammatical gender (liṅga) and usage for technical nouns in medical/lexical contexts—supporting accurate composition, recitation, and interpretation of śāstric passages.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Liṅga-nirdeśa: snāyu (strī), kālakhaṇḍa/yakṛtī (ubhayaliṅga), karpūra/kapāla/asthi (astrī)","lookup_keywords":["snāyu strīliṅga","yakṛtī ubhayaliṅga","karpūra liṅga","kapāla","asthi"],"quick_summary":"A compact gender-usage note for select nouns; it prevents grammatical errors in śāstric Sanskrit and clarifies dictionary conventions (strī/ubhayaliṅga/astrī)."}
Concept: Śabda-śuddhi (linguistic correctness) as a tool for preserving and transmitting knowledge accurately.
Application: Apply correct liṅga in declension and agreement when writing/commenting on Ayurveda and other śāstras.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Nighaṇṭu / Lexicography: grammatical-gender and synonym lists)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grammar-lexicon classroom: a scholar points to a word-list showing snāyu (f.), yakṛtī (common), karpūra/kapāla/asthi (non-feminine), with declension tables beside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar-teacher with palm-leaf manuscript, large stylized Devanagari words ‘snāyu’, ‘yakṛtī’, ‘karpūra’, decorative borders, students seated attentively.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf emphasis on manuscript and letters, seated paṇḍita teaching liṅga rules, ornate frame, rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, crisp instructional layout: word list with gender markers (strī/ubhayā/astrī), small declension grid, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like setting with scholars, open lexicon folios, calligraphic word list with marginal gender notes, refined architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कपालो ऽस्त्री = कपालः + अस्त्री (visarga elision before vowel with avagraha); कीकसङ्कुल्यमस्थि = कीकसङ्कुल्यम् + अस्थि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 363 (nighaṇṭu/lexicography and terminology portions)
FAQs
This verse imparts śābdika-jñāna (lexical-grammatical knowledge): it classifies specific nouns by grammatical gender (feminine, common gender, and non-feminine), useful for correct Sanskrit composition and recitation.
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical reference material—here, a mini-lexicon of noun genders and technical terms (including anatomical vocabulary), functioning like a handbook for scholars, poets, and priests.
Its significance is indirect: accurate language (śuddha-śabda) supports correct mantra/śāstra usage and faithful transmission of sacred knowledge, which traditional dharma regards as meritorious and protective against textual error.