Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 16
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
हंसास्यहंसपक्षौ च सन्दंशमुकुलौ तथा आकल्पितं कल्पितञ्चेति ख काङ्गूलकालपद्माविति ञ कांमूलकालपद्मौ काङ्गूलकालपद्मौ एतत्पाठद्वयं न समीचीनं उर्णनाभस्ताम्रचूडश् चतुर्विंशतिरित्यमी
haṃsāsyahaṃsapakṣau ca sandaṃśamukulau tathā ākalpitaṃ kalpitañceti kha kāṅgūlakālapadmāviti ña kāṃmūlakālapadmau kāṅgūlakālapadmau etatpāṭhadvayaṃ na samīcīnaṃ urṇanābhastāmracūḍaś caturviṃśatirityamī
“(Các tên gọi gồm:) ‘mặt thiên nga’ và ‘cánh thiên nga’; cũng vậy ‘giống kìm’ và ‘giống nụ’; lại có ‘chưa sắp đặt’ và ‘đã sắp đặt’—đó là theo bản kha. Bản ña đọc là ‘kāṅgūla–kāla–padma’; (bản khác có) ‘kāṃmūla–kāla–padma’ / ‘kāṅgūla–padma’. Hai dị bản này không thỏa đáng. ‘Giống nhện’ và ‘mào đồng’—các mục ấy tổng cộng là hai mươi bốn.”
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to Sage Vasiṣṭha (dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Text-critical handling of variant readings (pāṭha-bheda) and maintaining accurate technical lists; supports correct transmission of enumerations used in arts/sciences.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pāṭha-bheda note within a 24-item technical list (haṃsāsya etc.)","lookup_keywords":["haṃsāsya","saṃdaṃśa","mukula","ākalpita","kalpita","pāṭha-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Records item-names in a technical catalogue and flags conflicting manuscript recensions (kha/ña), noting unsatisfactory readings; concludes the set totals twenty-four."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic patterning in name-lists)
Concept: Śāstra depends on accurate transmission; variant readings must be evaluated against coherence and count.
Application: When teaching or compiling manuals, preserve recension notes, prefer internally consistent readings, and keep the declared total (24) intact.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas/Varna–Vinyasa and technical lists)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar compares two palm-leaf manuscripts labeled kha and ña, marking variant readings; beside him a board shows a numbered list of 24 item-names including swan-faced, forceps-like, bud-like, spider-like, copper-crested.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar in a library setting with palm leaves, stylus, and ink, two manuscript bundles tagged kha/ña, decorative borders, list-board with 24 marks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated scholar with gold-highlighted palm-leaf bundles, ornate manuscript chest, a gilded panel showing the 24-item enumeration.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition, two columns for variant readings, red correction marks, numbered tally to 24, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier of scribes, detailed calligraphy, marginalia indicating variants, a master editor pointing to the unsatisfactory reading note."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हंसास्यहंसपक्षौ = (हंसास्यः + हंसपक्षः) द्वन्द्व-द्विवचन; सन्दंशमुकुलौ = (सन्दंशः + मुकुलः) द्वन्द्व-द्विवचन; कल्पितञ्चेति→कल्पितम् च इति; पाठे ‘ख/ञ’ इत्यादि सम्पादकीय-संकेताः तथा पाठभेद-वाक्यं (‘एतत्पाठद्वयं…’) अन्तर्गतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (lists of forms/names; concluding saṅkhyā statements)
FAQs
It transmits a technical enumeration used in Sanskrit literary/phonetic classification—listing named forms (e.g., ‘swan-faced’, ‘bud-like’) and noting manuscript-recension variants (kha/ña) for compound items like “kāṅgūla–kāla–padma.”
Instead of narrative theology, it preserves specialist catalogues and even editorial remarks about variant readings—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a compendium that includes śāstra-style lists, technical nomenclature, and transmission history.
The verse is primarily śāstric and classificatory rather than ritual; its value is indirect—supporting correct learning and preservation of authoritative terminology, which traditional dharma regards as meritorious when used for accurate recitation and instruction.