Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 5
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
सर्वं शास्त्रमविद्वद्भिर्मृग्यमाणन्न सिध्यति आदिवर्णा द्वितीयाश् च महाप्राणस्तुरीयकः
sarvaṃ śāstramavidvadbhirmṛgyamāṇanna sidhyati ādivarṇā dvitīyāś ca mahāprāṇasturīyakaḥ
一切论典（śāstra）若为无学之人所求，终难成就。第一类字母、第二类字母以及第四类字母，应当了知为“mahāprāṇa”——强送气之音。
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Learn varṇa-classification (especially mahāprāṇa/aspirated consonants) as a prerequisite for correct pronunciation, recitation, and grammatical study.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mahāprāṇa varṇas and the need for learning","lookup_keywords":["mahāprāṇa","varṇa-varga","uccāraṇa","śikṣā","vyākaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Śāstra cannot be mastered without learning; the verse points to phonetic classes and identifies the strongly aspirated (mahāprāṇa) sounds, stressing foundational phonetics for all disciplines."}
Concept: Competence (vidvat) is required for śāstra-siddhi; phonetic foundations enable higher learning.
Application: Begin with śikṣā/phonetics: practice aspirated vs unaspirated pairs (ka/kha, ca/cha, ṭa/ṭha, ta/tha, pa/pha) with breath control and clear articulation.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana (Sanskrit Grammar & Phonetics / Varna-vidya)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A phonetics lesson: teacher demonstrates aspirated consonants with a hand near the mouth showing breath, students repeat; a chart of varga consonants highlights mahāprāṇa letters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gurukula scene with students seated, teacher demonstrating breathy pronunciation, stylized varṇa chart on a wooden board, earthy tones, clear gestures emphasizing prāṇa","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central guru with gold halo, students holding palm leaves, gold-highlighted varṇa grid with mahāprāṇa letters emphasized, ornate frame, didactic sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat instructional classroom, detailed varga table (ka-varga to pa-varga) with aspirated column highlighted, soft colors, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like phonetics class adapted to Sanskrit gurukula, detailed manuscript folios showing consonant grid, teacher demonstrating aspiration, refined interior"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अविद्वद्भिर्मृग्यमाणम् = अविद्वद्भिः + मृग्यमाणम्; मृग्यमाणन्न = मृग्यमाणम् + न (anusvāra sandhi in transmission). आदिवर्णा = आदि-वर्णाः (compound). महाप्राणस्तुरीयकः = महाप्राणः + तुरीयकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336.6 (varṇa-vṛnda, pada, vākya definitions)
FAQs
It teaches a Vyākaraṇa/Śikṣā principle: śāstra requires competent learning, and it introduces phonetic classification by identifying certain varṇa-groups as mahāprāṇa (strongly aspirated) sounds.
Alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves technical language-science (śikṣā/phonetics and grammar), showing its scope as a compendium of practical and scholarly disciplines.
Correct learning and correct pronunciation underpin accurate mantra recitation; the verse implies that disciplined study and phonetic precision protect the efficacy and purity of sacred speech.