Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 11
Chapter 360 — अव्ययवर्गाः
Groups of Indeclinables
उपमायां विकल्पे वा सामित्वर्धे जुगुप्सिते अमा सह समीपे च कं वारिणि च मूर्धनि
upamāyāṃ vikalpe vā sāmitvardhe jugupsite amā saha samīpe ca kaṃ vāriṇi ca mūrdhani
在比喻、比较（upamā）之义，或在二择（可选）之义；在所有权之义与“半分/份额”之义；在轻蔑、可憎之义；以及在“同/与”与“近旁”之义——这些皆为所述用法所承认的语义范围。同样，形式「kam」亦可表示“在水中”与“在头上”（即在这些语境中作处所义/locative）。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing the sage Vashistha (contextual attribution for the grammar section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Applying correct semantic readings for particles/case-like usages in simile, option, ownership, partition, contempt, accompaniment, proximity; and recognizing special locative usages of ‘kam’ in set contexts (water, head).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Semantic domains: upamā/vikalpa/sāmitva/ardha/jugupsā/sa-ha/samīpa; special ‘kam’ locatives","lookup_keywords":["upamā","vikalpa","sāmitva","jugupsita","kam"],"quick_summary":"Certain forms/usages cover comparison, alternative, ownership, share/half, disparagement, accompaniment (‘with’), and proximity; additionally ‘kam’ is used in fixed locative senses ‘in water’ and ‘on the head’ depending on idiom/context."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Meaning is context-governed: the same surface form can shift across comparison, option, social relation (ownership/share), affect (contempt), and spatial relations (with/near).
Application: When reading kāvya, identify upamā markers and proximity terms; when translating, treat ‘kam’ as idiomatic locative (‘in water’, ‘on the head’) only where the collocation demands it.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana (Sanskrit Grammar) — Vibhakti/Avyaya-nirdesha (case-meanings and indeclinables)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teaching chart shows a simile (upamā) with two objects connected by a comparison line; an ‘either/or’ fork for vikalpa; a hand holding a token for ownership/share; a grimace icon for jugupsā; two figures walking together for saha; two figures standing close for samīpa; small vignettes show ‘kam’ as a lotus in water and a crown on a head.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural didactic panel with multiple compartments: simile scene, alternative fork, ownership/share exchange, contempt expression, companionship walk, proximity stance; water compartment with lotus labeled ‘kam’; head compartment with crown labeled ‘kam’; traditional palette and borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style multi-scene composition with gold highlights on crown (mūrdhan) and water ripples; central simile vignette framed in gold; decorative inscriptions of key terms (upamā, vikalpa, saha, samīpa).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with clear labeled diagrams for each semantic domain; fine line icons for ‘with’ and ‘near’; two small realistic vignettes for ‘kam’ in water and on head; instructional clarity prioritized.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with marginal glosses: a poet composing an upamā; attendants illustrate ‘saha’ and ‘samīpa’; a garden pool scene for ‘kam’ in water; a courtly figure with jeweled turban for ‘kam’ on head; intricate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sāmitvardhe = sāmitva-arthe. Other words largely unsandhied; verse lists locative contexts (saptamī) for particles/usages.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 360 (case-meaning/avyaya semantics; stylistic registers)
FAQs
This verse imparts Vyakarana-vidya: it lists semantic conditions (artha) under which specific indeclinables/particles and special forms (like ‘amā’, ‘saha’, and ‘kam’) are properly used.
By embedding precise linguistic/grammatical instruction alongside religious material, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—preserving not only theology and ritual but also technical disciplines like Sanskrit grammar and semantic usage.
Correct grammatical usage safeguards accurate transmission of mantras, teachings, and śāstric meaning; preserving precise wording is traditionally seen as supporting dharma through faithful recitation and interpretation.