Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 25
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
द्वयोरप्यर्थयोर्गुह्यमानशब्दा प्रहेलिका सा द्विधार्थो च शाब्दी च तत्रार्थी चार्थबोधतः
dvayorapyarthayorguhyamānaśabdā prahelikā sā dvidhārtho ca śābdī ca tatrārthī cārthabodhataḥ
‘প্রহেলিকা’ হলো এমন উক্তি যেখানে উভয় অর্থের ক্ষেত্রেই শব্দরচনা গূঢ় থাকে; এটি ‘দ্বিধার্থ’ ও ‘শাব্দী’ শ্রেণীতেও পড়ে। এতে অর্থবোধ অভিপ্রেত অর্থের দ্বারা করতে হয়।
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana) addressing Sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Guides composition and solving of riddles: craft expressions that conceal wording relative to both intended meanings, and train audiences to infer the intended artha beyond surface ambiguity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prahelikā: Concealed Wording, Dvidhārthatā, and Śābdī Classification","lookup_keywords":["prahelikā","dvidhārtha","śābdī","guhyamāna-śabda","arthabodha"],"quick_summary":"A prahelikā is a riddle where the wording is kept hidden with respect to both meanings; it is classed as double-meaning and as a verbal (sound/word-based) figure, to be understood by grasping the intended sense."}
Alamkara Type: Prahelikā (riddle); Dvidhārtha/Śleṣa-adjacent; Śābdī-alaṅkāra classification
Concept: Hermeneutic priority of intended meaning: comprehension arises by moving from ambiguous/veiled śabda to the speaker’s intended artha.
Application: When composing, ensure both candidate meanings are plausible yet the intended one is recoverable via context/clues; when solving, test meanings against contextual fitness (yogyatā) and speaker-intent (tātparya).
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara and Kavya-lakshana / Poetics and Rhetoric)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hāsya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A riddle is presented on a scroll with two shadowy meanings behind it; a scholar points to contextual clues, and the hidden intended sense emerges like a lamp uncovered.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic concealment: covered oil-lamp and partially veiled manuscript, scholar revealing the lamp, audience in wonder, earthy palette and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf halo around a revealed lamp beside a riddle-scroll, ornate borders, figures showing surprise and delight, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: teacher explains two meanings with a split-panel diagram, then highlights the intended artha, delicate linework and calm scholarly mood","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, salon with a riddle scroll, two faint illustrative vignettes representing alternate meanings in the margins, central figure indicating the intended one, fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वयोरप्यर्थयोः = द्वयोः + अपि + अर्थयोः; गुह्यमानशब्दा = गुह्यमान + शब्दा; तत्रार्थी = तत्र + अर्थी; चार्थबोधतः = च + अर्थबोधतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.22 (prahelikā and gupta/cyuta-datta); Agni Purana 342.24 (praśna taxonomy)
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra (Sanskrit poetics) terminology: defining prahelikā (riddle) as a deliberately veiled expression operating through double meaning and classified among word-based (śābdī) figures.
By codifying literary theory—definitions of rhetorical devices like riddles and double-meaning—the Agni Purana functions not only as a religious text but also as a compendium of classical knowledge systems, including Sanskrit aesthetics and semantics.
While not a ritual injunction, it supports dharmic cultivation through refined speech and correct understanding of meaning—skills valued in śāstra study, teaching, and recitation, which are traditionally regarded as meritorious.