Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 344: Ornaments of Word-and-Meaning (शब्दार्थालङ्काराः)
मुख्यौपचारिकी चेति सा च सा च द्विधा द्विधा स्वाभिधेयस्खलद्वृत्तिरमुख्यार्थस्य वाचकः
mukhyaupacārikī ceti sā ca sā ca dvidhā dvidhā svābhidheyaskhaladvṛttiramukhyārthasya vācakaḥ
تُذكر قوّة الدلالة اللفظية (śabda-śakti) على أنها نوعان: الدلالة الأصلية (mukhya) والدلالة المجازية/الثانوية (upacārikī). وكلٌّ منهما ينقسم بدوره إلى قسمين. فإذا انحرف استعمال اللفظ عن معناه الموضوع له، صار ذلك النمط من العمل مُعبِّرًا عن معنى غير أصلي.
Lord Agni (in Agni Purana’s didactic discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Interpreting poetic and ordinary sentences by distinguishing primary denotation (abhidhā) from secondary/figurative operation (upacāra/lakṣaṇā), useful in commentary, translation, and resolving ambiguity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śabda-śakti: Mukhya and Upacārikī (Primary vs Secondary Meaning)","lookup_keywords":["śabda-śakti","mukhya","upacārikī","abhidhā","amukhya-artha"],"quick_summary":"Meaning-power of words is classified into primary and secondary; when a word’s usage slips from its own denotative track, it functions to convey a non-primary sense."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā (semantic indication) as śabda-śakti doctrine
Concept: Language conveys meaning through distinct powers; deviation from denotation enables non-literal sense.
Application: Use as a hermeneutic rule in exegesis: first test primary meaning; if it fails contextually, shift to secondary operation.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara & Shabda-shakti / semantics)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned ācārya instructs students using a palm-leaf manuscript, pointing to two labeled paths: ‘mukhya’ (straight) and ‘upacārikī’ (diverted), illustrating how meaning shifts when denotation fails.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, guru with palm-leaf manuscript teaching śabda-śakti, two symbolic roads labeled mukhya and upacārikī, earthy reds and ochres, stylized students, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated guru with manuscript and stylus, gold-leaf halos, ornate arch, two small panels showing mukhya (straight lamp flame) and upacārikī (bent flame) as symbols of meaning shift","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional classroom scene, clear labels in Devanagari for mukhya/upacārikī, delicate linework, muted palette, manuscript desk and inkpot, didactic diagram emphasis","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scholar-teacher with students, fine architectural interior, marginal diagram of two semantic tracks, detailed textiles and manuscript illumination, restrained color harmony"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mukhyaupacārikī → mukhyā + aupacārikī; ceti → ca + iti; svābhidheyaskhaladvṛttiḥ → svābhidheya-skhalat-vṛttiḥ; amukhyārthasya → amukhya-arthasya
Related Themes: Agni Purana 344 (Sahitya-shastra section on śabda-śakti, abhidha–lakṣaṇā–vyañjanā)
FAQs
It teaches a technical principle of Sanskrit semantics (śabda-śakti): meanings are conveyed either primarily (literal denotation) or secondarily (figurative/indicative), and secondary meaning arises when the word’s denotative sense is not directly applicable.
Beyond ritual and mythology, the Agni Purana preserves systematic śāstric learning—here, a compact outline of classical semantic theory used in grammar, Mīmāṃsā, and kāvya (poetics), showing its coverage of literary-scientific disciplines.
By clarifying how scripture and poetry convey intended meanings (literal and figurative), it supports correct interpretation (yathārtha-bodha), reducing misreading of dharma-teachings and thereby aiding right understanding and right conduct.