Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
क्रियातिशयजन्मान्तःशरीरोत्थक्लमः श्रमः शृङ्गारादिक्रियाद्वेषश्चित्तस्यालस्यमुच्यते
kriyātiśayajanmāntaḥśarīrotthaklamaḥ śramaḥ śṛṅgārādikriyādveṣaścittasyālasyamucyate
التعب (śrama) هو إنهاك الجسد الناشئ من الداخل بسبب الإفراط في الفعل. وأمّا الكسل (ālasyam) فيُقال إنه نفورُ النفس من العمل—كالأفعال المتصلة بالهوى والغزل (śṛṅgāra) وما شابهها.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Diagnosing performance/creative impediments in poetry and life: distinguish bodily fatigue from mental laziness to correct practice schedules and motivation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śrama and Ālasyam (fatigue and laziness)","lookup_keywords":["śrama","ālasyam","kriyātiśaya","klama","śṛṅgāra-kriyā"],"quick_summary":"Śrama is internal bodily exhaustion from excessive activity; ālasyam is the mind’s aversion to activity (even pleasurable acts like śṛṅgāra-related actions), useful for rasa/bhāva analysis and self-regulation."}
Concept: Clear taxonomy of human states: bodily exhaustion vs mental aversion; not all non-action is the same.
Application: In study, art, or duty, respond to fatigue with rest and to laziness with mental reorientation and disciplined engagement.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra: definitions of bhāvas/doṣas in aesthetics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasted figures: one physically exhausted from overwork (śrama), another reclining with averted face showing mental reluctance to act (ālasyam), with a subtle reference to śṛṅgāra-related activity being refused.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split scene: left a worker/performer sweating, slumped posture (śrama), right a figure on a couch turning away from instruments/garlands symbolizing activity and śṛṅgāra (ālasyam); bold outlines, traditional floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold work: central allegorical pair—Śrama as a weary attendant with drooping limbs, Ālasyam as a languid figure pushing away a lotus garland; ornate pillars, embossed jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic: labeled ‘śrama’ showing internal exhaustion after excessive action, and ‘ālasyam’ showing mind’s aversion; fine shading, calm palette, clear gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene—one poet exhausted at desk with scattered manuscripts, another lounging and refusing to write despite nearby love-poetry props (garland, perfume); intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kriyātiśayajanmāntaḥśarīrotthaklamaḥ = kriyā-atiśaya-janma-antaḥ-śarīra-uttha-klamaḥ; śṛṅgārādikriyādveṣaḥ = śṛṅgāra-ādi-kriyā-dveṣaḥ; cittasyālasyam = cittasya + ālasyam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 338 (aesthetic-psychological definitions around bhāva/doṣa)
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra (Sāhitya/Alankāra) technical definitions: śrama as bodily exhaustion caused by excessive action, and ālasya as mental aversion to undertaking actions (including śṛṅgāra-related acts).
Beyond theology and ritual, it preserves formal Sanskrit aesthetic theory by defining psychological states relevant to rasa/bhāva analysis—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of literary science alongside other disciplines.
By distinguishing bodily fatigue from mental aversion, it encourages self-knowledge and disciplined effort—reducing tamas-like inertia (ālasyam) and supporting steadiness in dharmic practice and purposeful action.