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
Die Wiederholung (āvartanā) eines Wortes — sei es selbständig (svatantra) oder von einem anderen abhängig (anyatantra) — ist zweierlei: (1) bālavāsikā und (2) vanavāsikā. Sie heißt auch «pūrvapūrveṇa» (Wiederholung in den früheren Positionen) und ferner «sambandha-yamaka» (Beziehungs-yamaka). Gelehrte verstehen darunter das Wiederkehren desselben Wortes bei unterschiedlicher Absicht, d. h. mit verschiedenem intendiertem Sinn oder unterschiedlicher Funktion.
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.