Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 55
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
द्वितीयप्रातिलोम्येन तृतीयं जायते यदि पदं विदध्यात् पत्रस्य दण्डश् चक्राब्जकं कृतेः
dvitīyaprātilomyena tṛtīyaṃ jāyate yadi padaṃ vidadhyāt patrasya daṇḍaś cakrābjakaṃ kṛteḥ
若由将第二式逆转（prātilomya）而生起第三个韵律之足，则应如法构成其足：在“patra”之图式中有“daṇḍa”（杖/竿），而在“kṛti”之图式中则有“cakrābjaka”（轮—莲）之纹样。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Constructing metrical feet and mapping them onto diagrammatic schemes (patra/daṇḍa; kṛti/cakrābjaka) using reversal operations—useful for mnemonic teaching, yantra-based visualization of chandas, and patterned composition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prātilomya-based pāda/foot construction with Patra–Daṇḍa and Kṛti–Cakrābjaka schemes","lookup_keywords":["pratilomya","pada-nirmana","patra-danda","kriti","cakrabjaka"],"quick_summary":"Explains that reversing the second pattern can generate the third metrical foot, and links feet-construction to named diagrammatic layouts (staff in patra; wheel-lotus in kṛti). Serves as a method for generating and teaching structured verse patterns."}
Concept: Parivartana (systematic transformation) as a generative principle in śāstra—new forms arise from rule-governed reversal.
Application: In teaching prosody, demonstrate how reversing a known pattern yields another; use patra/daṇḍa and cakrābjaka diagrams as memory aids.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Prosody / Pada-nirmana)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blackboard/manuscript shows a second pattern reversed to form a third metrical foot; beside it two schemata: a leaf-like 'patra' with a central staff (daṇḍa), and a wheel-lotus (cakrābjaka) with petals and spokes, each labeled with syllable groups.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large stylized patra (leaf) with a bold vertical daṇḍa, and a cakrābjaka wheel-lotus with petal ring, syllables inscribed along shapes, guru teaching students, earthy palette and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, cakrābjaka rendered with gold-leaf spokes and lotus petals, patra motif with gilded staff, scholar holding palm-leaf, ornate temple-like frame, rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, crisp instructional diagrams: (1) reversal arrow from pattern-2 to pattern-3, (2) patra with daṇḍa axis, (3) cakrābjaka wheel-lotus with labeled segments; fine linework, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s desk with two illustrated folios: one showing reversed metrical pattern, another showing wheel-lotus diagram, delicate calligraphy labels, refined interior setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वितीयप्रातिलोम्येन = द्वितीय-प्रातिलोम्येन; दण्डश् चक्राब्जकं = दण्डः चक्र-अब्जकम् (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (pāda/gaṇa construction and yantra-like schemata in adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches a technical prosodic method: deriving a metrical foot (pada) by reversing a prior pattern (prātilomya) and identifying named formations such as daṇḍa and cakrābjaka within specific schemes (patra, kṛti).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves specialized śāstric material—here, Sanskrit chandas/poetics—showing it functions as a compendium of literary science alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and other disciplines.
Indirectly, mastery of correct chandas supports accurate recitation and preservation of sacred and learned texts; such correctness is traditionally linked with purity of utterance (vāk-śuddhi) and the merit of transmitting knowledge without distortion.