Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
चतुर्थी स्त्री सुरा ज्ञेया ययेदं मोहितं जगत् माद्यति प्रमदां दृष्ट्वा सुरां पीत्वा तु माद्यति
caturthī strī surā jñeyā yayedaṃ mohitaṃ jagat mādyati pramadāṃ dṛṣṭvā surāṃ pītvā tu mādyati
所谓“第四”（caturthī，第四音步/韵足）当知亦名为“女子”，亦名为“苏罗酒”（surā）；由此令此世间迷惑：见到美丽女子便生醉意；饮苏罗酒亦复沉醉。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Use conventional mnemonic naming in chandas/prosody by associating a metrical unit with evocative terms (‘woman’, ‘liquor’) to aid retention and illustrate delusion/intoxication as poetic effect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mnemonic naming of the fourth prosodic unit as ‘Strī’ and ‘Surā’","lookup_keywords":["chandas","prosody","pāda/gaṇa","mnemonic","strī-surā"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a conventional label for a prosodic element and explains it through an analogy of intoxication—by beauty and by drink—serving as a memory device and a poetic illustration."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative analogy)
Concept: Pedagogy of śāstra: technical knowledge (chandas) is stabilized through vivid saṃjñā and relatable examples.
Application: When teaching/learning meter, attach memorable images/terms to gaṇas or mātrā-patterns; practice recitation with clear mind, avoiding intoxicants.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas / Prosody—definitions of metrical feet and their conventional names)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosody lesson scene: a teacher points to a palm-leaf chart of metrical units while two symbolic figures—an alluring woman and a wine-cup—stand as personifications of the mnemonic names for the ‘fourth’ unit; students recite in rhythm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, classroom-like gurukula: guru with stylus, palm-leaf prosody chart, personified Strī and Surā as symbolic side figures, rhythmic hand-gestures of students, bold outlines and flat color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and disciples with gold-highlighted palm-leaf manuscript, ornate personifications of woman and liquor as allegorical attendants, rich gold work and temple-arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical instructional illustration: prosody chart prominently displayed with neat calligraphy, minimal allegory (woman silhouette and cup icon), fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly majlis: poet-teacher with manuscript, students seated on carpet, subtle allegorical motifs (goblet, graceful lady) in margins, delicate detailing and balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ययेदं = यया + इदम्; (पुनरुक्ति) माद्यति ... माद्यति; क्त्वान्तौ: दृष्ट्वा, पीत्वा
Related Themes: Agni Purana: chandas/alaṅkāra chapters defining gaṇas, mātrā, and saṃjñā; Agni Purana: nīti passages on mada and kāma as deluders
FAQs
It imparts chandas-vidyā (prosodic knowledge) by naming/defining the “fourth” metrical unit and explaining its conventional designation through a mnemonic analogy.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves technical disciplines like Sanskrit metrics and poetics; this verse exemplifies that breadth by teaching specialized chandas terminology using memorable illustrative comparisons.
Its takeaway is cautionary and didactic: worldly delusion and ‘intoxication’ can arise from sense-objects (desire and drink), a reminder that disciplined awareness supports dharma even while studying technical arts.