Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 7

Chapter 363: नृब्रह्मक्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः

Groups of terms for Men, Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras

Devanagari script

गर्भो भ्रुण इमौ तुल्यौ क्लीवं शण्डो नपुंसकम् स्यादुत्तानशया डिम्भा बालो माणवकः स्मृतः

Transliteration

garbho bhruṇa imau tulyau klīvaṃ śaṇḍo napuṃsakam syāduttānaśayā ḍimbhā bālo māṇavakaḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation

garbha 与 bhruṇa 为同义词（指胚胎/胎儿）。klība、śaṇḍa 与 napuṁsaka 指不能生育之男子（阉人/阳痿者）。ḍimbha 指仰卧之婴儿；bāla 则被理解为 māṇavaka（幼童/少年）。

Word by Word

• गर्भः: embryo; fetus
• गर्भः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• भ्रुणः: embryo; fetus
• भ्रुणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• इमौ: these two
• इमौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; सर्वनाम

• तुल्यौ: equal; synonymous
• तुल्यौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; विशेषण

• क्लीवम्: eunuch; impotent person
• क्लीवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्लीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• शण्डः: eunuch
• शण्डः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• नपुंसकम्: neuter; eunuch
• नपुंसकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नपुंसक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• स्यात्: would be; is said to be
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उत्तानशयाः: infants lying on their backs (newborns)
• उत्तानशयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तान + शय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: उत्तानं शेते ये (lying on the back)

• डिम्भाः: infants; babies
• डिम्भाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डिम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• बालः: child; boy
• बालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• माणवकः: boy; young lad
• माणवकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माणवक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्मृतः: is called; is remembered as
• स्मृतः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्यय

Speaker

Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic definitions)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यादुत्तानशया = स्यात् + उत्तानशयाः (त् + उ → दु); (पाठे) उत्तानशया इति बहुवचन-रूपं (उत्तानशयाः) ग्रहणीयम्

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

This verse imparts lexicographic/semantic knowledge: it defines precise Sanskrit synonyms for embryo/fetus (garbha/bhruṇa), terms for sexual incapacity/eunuch (klība/śaṇḍa/napuṁsaka), and age-based child terms (ḍimbha, bāla, māṇavaka).

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

By cataloging standardized definitions and near-synonyms, it functions like a compact kosa (glossary), supporting accurate usage in dharma, medicine, law, and literature—one hallmark of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, encyclopedic coverage.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Its significance is indirect: correct terminology and clear meaning prevent misunderstanding in sacred learning and applied disciplines, supporting right knowledge (samyag-jñāna) and accurate transmission of dharma-oriented instruction.