Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 30
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
भवेद्विषादो दैवादेर्विघातो ऽभीष्टवस्तुनि औत्सुक्यमीप्सिताप्राप्तेर्वाञ्छया तरला स्थितिः
bhavedviṣādo daivādervighāto 'bhīṣṭavastuni autsukyamīpsitāprāptervāñchayā taralā sthitiḥ
দৈৱ আদি কাৰণত ইষ্টবস্তুত বাধা পৰিলে বিষাদ হয়। ইপ্সিত নাপালে ইচ্ছাজনিত যি চঞ্চল অৱস্থা, তাক ‘ঔৎসুক্য’ বোলা হয়।
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"For poets and dramaturges: precise definition of vyabhicāri-bhāvas (sañcārī-bhāvas) viṣāda and autsukya to deploy in rasa construction and character psychology.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vyabhicāri-bhāvas: Viṣāda and Autsukya","lookup_keywords":["vyabhicāri-bhāva","sañcārī-bhāva","viṣāda","autsukya","rasa"],"quick_summary":"Viṣāda is despondency caused by obstruction to a desired object (often attributed to fate). Autsukya is restless longing arising from desire when the wished-for object is not yet obtained."}
Concept: Mental states arise dependently: desire plus obstruction yields viṣāda; desire plus non-attainment yields autsukya—an early psychological causal model.
Application: In performance or self-observation, distinguish ‘blocked’ sadness (viṣāda) from ‘unfulfilled’ restlessness (autsukya) to choose appropriate response—patience, strategy, or acceptance.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya & Rasa: Vyabhicari-bhavas / Sancari-bhavas)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two emotional tableaux: (1) a person slumped in viṣāda as a desired goal is blocked by ‘fate’ (storm, closed gate); (2) a person pacing and looking to the horizon in autsukya, awaiting the wished-for arrival.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with split scene: left—figure seated with lowered head before a shut doorway and dark cloud (daiva-vighāta); right—figure standing restless, eyes wide, hands fidgeting, looking toward distant lamp-light, bold expressive faces","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting diptych with gold highlights: viṣāda shown by drooping posture and muted palette; autsukya by alert eyes and dynamic stance; ornate floral borders, symbolic objects (closed lotus vs half-open lotus)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional depiction of bhāvas: labeled gestures (hasta) and facial expressions (mukhabhinaya) for viṣāda and autsukya, clean composition for learners","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: garden pavilion scene—lover despondent as messenger brings bad news (obstruction); companion scene—lover pacing by a riverbank awaiting boat, detailed flora and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेद्विषादः→भवेत् विषादः; दैवादेर्विघातः→दैवात् विघातः; विघातोऽभीष्टवस्तुनि→विघातः अभीष्टवस्तुनि; औत्सुक्यमीप्सिताप्राप्तेः→औत्सुक्यम् ईप्सित-अप्राप्तेः; अप्राप्तेर्वाञ्छया→अप्राप्तेः वाञ्छया
Related Themes: Agni Purana sāhitya/alaṃkāra portions on rasa, bhāva, and nāṭya-related definitions (around 338.30)
FAQs
This verse imparts kavya-shastra (Sanskrit poetics) knowledge by defining two vyabhicāri-bhāvas—viṣāda (despondency from obstruction) and autsukya (restless longing from non-attainment).
By systematically cataloging psychological-aesthetic states used in rasa theory, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium not only of ritual and dharma but also of technical literary science (alankāra-śāstra) relevant to drama and poetry.
Spiritually, it sharpens discernment of mental states: recognizing despondency as fate-linked obstruction and longing as desire-born instability supports self-mastery and reduces attachment-driven agitation, which is conducive to sattvic conduct.