Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
स्वतन्त्रस्यान्यतन्त्रस्य पदस्यावर्तना द्विधा बालवासिकेति ख , ट च वनवासिकेति ञ पूर्वपूर्वेणेति ज , ञ , ट च सम्बन्धयमकश् चैवेति ख भिन्नप्रयोजनपदस्यावृत्तिं मनुजा विदुः
svatantrasyānyatantrasya padasyāvartanā dvidhā bālavāsiketi kha , ṭa ca vanavāsiketi ña pūrvapūrveṇeti ja , ña , ṭa ca sambandhayamakaś caiveti kha bhinnaprayojanapadasyāvṛttiṃ manujā viduḥ
পদৰ আৱৰ্তনা (পুনৰাবৃত্তি)—সেয়া স্বতন্ত্ৰ হওক বা অন্যতন্ত্ৰ (আশ্ৰিত) হওক—দুই প্ৰকাৰ: (১) বালবাসিকা আৰু (২) বনবাসিকা। ইয়াক ‘পূৰ্বপূৰ্বেণ’ (পূৰ্ব স্থানত পুনৰাবৃত্তি) আৰু ‘সম্বন্ধ-যমক’ বুলিও কোৱা হয়। পণ্ডিতসকলে ইয়াক ভিন্ন প্ৰয়োজনে একে পদৰ পুনৰাবৃত্তি বুলি জানে।
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s poetics section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Distinguish repetition based on syntactic independence (svatantra/anyatantra) and functional difference (bhinnaprayojana); apply to identify sambandha-yamaka and related patterns in verses.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Āvartanā (Repetition) of Words: Svatantra/Anyatantra; Bālavāsikā, Vanavāsikā; Pūrvapūrveṇa; Sambandha-yamaka","lookup_keywords":["āvartanā","svatantra anyatantra","bālavāsikā","vanavāsikā","sambandha-yamaka"],"quick_summary":"Defines word-repetition by syntactic status and by purpose: the same word recurs with a distinct intended function/sense. Provides technical labels used in yamaka analysis."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka (Sambandha-yamaka); repetition (Āvartanā)
Concept: Form–function distinction in language (same śabda, different prayojana)
Application: In composition, ensure repeated words earn their place by shifting relation or intent; in criticism, test whether repetition is purposeful or merely redundant.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara-shastra / Sanskrit Poetics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split-panel teaching illustration: left shows 'svatantra' word standing alone; right shows 'anyatantra' word attached to another; arrows indicate repetition with changed purpose, labeled bālavāsikā/vanavāsikā and sambandha-yamaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-register composition with labeled word-forms, stylized arrows and lotus separators, guru explaining 'svatantra' vs 'anyatantra', inscriptions 'bālavāsikā', 'vanavāsikā', 'sambandha-yamaka', earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted split panels with Devanagari labels, central Sarasvatī motif blessing learning, repeated word glyphs shown as decorative medallions, rich ornamented frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: two columns for svatantra/anyatantra, repeated word tokens connected by fine lines, marginal notes 'bhinnaprayojana', classroom setting with palm-leaf and stylus.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s notebook page with neat calligraphy and marginal diagrams, two syntactic trees showing dependence, repeated word highlighted in red, refined border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svatantrasyānyatantrasya = svatantrasya anya-tantrasya; padasyāvartanā = padasya āvartanā; sambandhayamakaś caiva = sambandha-yamakaḥ ca eva; padasyāvṛttiṃ = padasya āvṛttim. Marker letters (kha/ṭa/ña/ja) treated as technical indeclinables.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.16; Agni Purana 342.17; Agni Purana 342.19; Agni Purana 342.20
FAQs
It teaches a technical rule from Sanskrit kāvya-śāstra: how “āvartanā” (word-repetition) is classified into subtypes (bālavāsikā, vanavāsikā), including relational repetition (sambandha-yamaka), where the same word recurs with a different intended function or sense.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana systematically preserves scholarly disciplines like Sanskrit poetics (alaṅkāra-śāstra). This verse functions like a sutra-style definition, showing the text’s coverage of literary theory alongside other sciences.
Indirectly, it supports dharmic culture by refining sacred and classical expression: correct poetic usage aids clear transmission of scripture, praise (stotra), and ethical instruction, which are traditionally regarded as merit-producing when composed and recited properly.