Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Explanation of Abhinaya and Related Topics (अभिनयादिनिरूपणम्) — Agni Purana, Chapter 341
अलङ्करिष्णवस्ते च शब्दमर्थमुभौ त्रिधा ये व्युत्पत्त्यादिना शब्दमलङ्कर्तुमिह क्षमाः
alaṅkariṣṇavaste ca śabdamarthamubhau tridhā ye vyutpattyādinā śabdamalaṅkartumiha kṣamāḥ
Und diejenigen, die hier die Rede zu schmücken vermögen—durch vyutpatti (Ableitung/Etymologie) und dergleichen—gliedern sowohl śabda (Wort) als auch artha (Bedeutung) in dreifacher Weise.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Framework for poetics: classify ornaments as relating to word (śabda) and meaning (artha), each in threefold division; supports systematic analysis of figures and stylistic devices, grounded in linguistic competence (vyutpatti).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Tri-fold Classification of Śabda and Artha in Alaṅkāra","lookup_keywords":["alaṅkāra","śabda","artha","tridhā","vyutpatti"],"quick_summary":"Those skilled in linguistic derivation and usage can ornament expression; they classify both word-based and meaning-based domains in a threefold scheme to systematize alaṅkāra analysis."}
Alamkara Type: Meta-classification (śabda/artha alaṅkāra taxonomy)
Concept: Competent ornamentation of speech requires vyutpatti (learned derivation/grammar) and a structured division of śabda and artha.
Application: For writers: strengthen grammar/etymology and then apply a checklist—identify whether an effect is word-driven or meaning-driven, and map it into the taught subtypes before polishing style.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara & Shabda-shakti: Sanskrit poetics and verbal ornamentation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scholar demonstrates a taxonomy chart dividing ‘Śabda’ and ‘Artha’ into three branches each, emphasizing vyutpatti as the tool for ornamenting speech.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a learned ācārya pointing to a stylized tree-diagram: ‘śabda’ and ‘artha’ with three branches each; traditional colors, bold outlines, palm-leaf manuscripts around.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Sarasvatī-inspired scholarly setting (without explicit deity if desired), gold-embossed diagram panels labeled śabda/artha tridhā; ornate borders and calligraphic elegance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style pedagogic illustration: clean labeled taxonomy, scholar with stylus and palm leaf, students seated; emphasis on clarity and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a kitabkhana (library) scene: scholar with paper chart showing bifurcation and tri-branches; inkpots, books, precise calligraphy, subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अलङ्करिष्णवस्ते → अलङ्करिष्णवः ते; शब्दमर्थमुभौ → शब्दम् अर्थम् उभौ; व्युत्पत्त्यादिना → व्युत्पत्ति-आदिना; शब्दमलङ्कर्तुमिह → शब्दम् अलङ्कर्तुम् इह.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: subsequent enumeration of śabda-alaṅkāras and artha-alaṅkāras; Agni Purana: any vyākaraṇa/śabda-śakti discussions in the sāhitya portion
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra (Sanskrit poetics): skilled rhetoricians ornament speech using tools like vyutpatti (derivational/etymological analysis) and classify both śabda (word) and artha (meaning) into three types.
By teaching literary theory alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium; this verse signals a systematic, technical framework for analyzing and beautifying language (śabda) and sense (artha).
Mastery of disciplined, well-formed speech and meaning supports dharmic communication—praise, teaching, and recitation—thereby aiding clarity, truthfulness, and merit when sacred knowledge is transmitted without distortion.