Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 38
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
द्विधा गोमूत्रिकां पूर्वामाहुरश्वपदां परे अन्त्याङ्गोमूत्रिकां धेनुं जालबन्धं वदन्ति हि
dvidhā gomūtrikāṃ pūrvāmāhuraśvapadāṃ pare antyāṅgomūtrikāṃ dhenuṃ jālabandhaṃ vadanti hi
Cách sắp đặt gomūtrikā đã nêu trước được nói là có hai loại; có người gọi là aśvapadā. Nhưng gomūtrikā mà chi đoạn cuối được bố trí như thế thì gọi là dhenū, và quả thật được gọi là jāla-bandha (kiểu kết buộc như lưới).
Lord Agni (instructional narration within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teaching to a sage-tradition audience)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Distinguishing subtypes of gomūtrikā bandha and applying correct nomenclature (aśvapadā, dhenū, jāla-bandha) when composing or analyzing shaped verses and their terminal segments.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gomūtrikā Subtypes: Aśvapadā, Dhenū, and Jāla-bandha","lookup_keywords":["gomūtrikā","aśvapadā","dhenū","jāla-bandha","bandha-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Gomūtrikā is taught as twofold; one subtype is termed aśvapadā by some authorities. When the final segment is arranged in a particular way, it is called dhenū and characterized as a net-like jāla-bandha."}
Alamkara Type: Citra (Bandha-kāvya)
Concept: Precision of saṃjñā: the same generative pattern may admit variant readings and names; terminal conditions define subtype identity.
Application: When teaching or composing, specify which gomūtrikā subtype is intended; check the final limb to determine whether it qualifies as dhenū/jāla.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Alankara: poetic metres and figure-based verse-patterns)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three side-by-side bandha diagrams: a looping gomūtrikā, a stepped aśvapadā path, and a dhenū form with a distinctive final segment, overlaid with a net-like jāla lattice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three decorative panels showing gomūtrikā loop, horse-step diagonal, and cow-shaped terminal flourish, all formed from Sanskrit akṣaras, with a faint lattice background (jāla).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embellished lattice (jāla) behind a central dhenū-shaped akṣara design, flanked by gomūtrikā and aśvapadā diagrams, ornate borders and rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean didactic illustration labeling gomūtrikā (two kinds), aśvapadā, dhenū, and jāla-bandha, with arrows indicating the final limb condition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature folio with marginalia: elegant net lattice and three akṣara-formed shapes, annotations in fine script, courtly workshop setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वामाहुः = पूर्वाम् आहुः; आहुरश्वपदाम् = आहुः अश्वपदाम्; अन्त्याङ्गोमूत्रिकाम् = अन्त्य-अङ्ग-गोमूत्रिकाम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.36 (gomūtrikā half-turn); Agni Purana 342.39-342.40 (vinyāsa procedure)
FAQs
It defines technical classifications of a compositional/metrical arrangement called gomūtrikā and its named variants (aśvapadā, dhenū), identifying a specific form as jāla-bandha (a net-like linked pattern).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs specialized arts such as Sanskrit prosody and pattern-poetry, preserving nomenclature and taxonomies of verse-structures used by poets and scholars.
While primarily technical, mastery of correct chandas and sanctioned compositional forms supports accurate recitation and refined sacred/literary expression, traditionally regarded as merit-enhancing when applied to dharmic praise and instruction.