Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 22
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
इष्टव्याघातकारित्वं हेतोः स्यादसमर्थता असिद्धत्वं विरुद्धत्वमनैकान्तिकता तथा
iṣṭavyāghātakāritvaṃ hetoḥ syādasamarthatā asiddhatvaṃ viruddhatvamanaikāntikatā tathā
হেতুতে দোষ ধরা হয় যখন তা—ইষ্ট প্রতিপাদ্যকে আঘাত করে, অক্ষম হয়, অসিদ্ধ হয়, বিরুদ্ধ হয়, অথবা অনৈকান্তিক (ব্যভিচারী/অনিশ্চিত) হয়।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Debate and reasoning: diagnosing defective reasons (hetu-doṣa/hetvābhāsa) to avoid invalid proofs and to refute opponents systematically.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hetu-doṣa / Hetvābhāsa: Defects of a Reason","lookup_keywords":["hetu","hetvābhāsa","asiddha","viruddha","anaikāntika"],"quick_summary":"A reason fails when it harms the thesis, lacks proving power, is unestablished, is contradictory, or is inconclusive—core checks for valid inference and debate."}
Concept: Validity of inference depends on the integrity of the reason; specific failure-modes (hetvābhāsa) must be screened.
Application: Before presenting an argument, test the hetu: (1) does it support the iṣṭa (thesis) rather than damage it, (2) is it capable of establishing the sādhya, (3) is it established in the pakṣa, (4) is it non-contradictory, (5) is it non-deviating (present in sapakṣa and absent in vipakṣa).
Khanda Section: Nyaya (Hetu-lakshana & Hetvabhasa) / Tarka-shastra
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal debate in a sabhā: one debater presents a reason, while a judge-scholar lists five defects on a tablet, marking the faulty hetu.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sabhā debate scene with seated paṇḍitas, stylized gestures of argument, a central board showing five hetu-doṣas, earthy reds and greens, ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted sabhā pillars, central judge with palm-leaf and stylus, five defect labels in decorative medallions, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: five-panel diagram of hetu defects beside a debate scene, fine outlines, soft colors, clear inscriptions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court debate with scholars, one scribe recording, marginal notes listing asiddha/viruddha/anaikāntika, intricate carpet patterns and arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syād-asamarthatā = syāt + asamarthatā; viruddhatvam-anaikāntikatā = viruddhatvam + anaikāntikatā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346 (Nyaya/Tarka: hetu-lakṣaṇa, hetvābhāsa, vāda)
FAQs
It teaches Nyāya/tarka criteria for identifying fallacious reasons (hetv-ābhāsa) in inference—how a proof fails when the hetu is contradictory, unestablished, incapable, or inconclusive.
By including formal logic (Nyāya) alongside ritual and dharma topics, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of disciplines—here, providing tools for debate, reasoning, and valid inference.
Sound reasoning supports right understanding (samyag-jñāna) and prevents error in dharma and practice; avoiding fallacious arguments is presented as part of disciplined, truth-aligned conduct.