Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 24
Arthālaṅkāras (Ornaments of Meaning): Definitions, Taxonomy, and the Centrality of Upamā
भवेदर्थान्तरन्यासः सादृश्येनोत्तरेण सः अन्यथोपस्थिता वृत्तिश्चेतनस्येतरस्य च
bhavedarthāntaranyāsaḥ sādṛśyenottareṇa saḥ anyathopasthitā vṛttiścetanasyetarasya ca
Arthāntaranyāsa („Einführung eines anderen Sinnes“) liegt vor, wenn der Sinn durch eine nachfolgende, ähnliche Aussage gestützt wird; zugleich ist es die in veränderter Weise erfolgende Zuschreibung einer Funktion oder eines Verhaltens, sei es an ein beseeltes oder an ein unbeseeltes Wesen.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Identifying arthāntaranyāsa in texts: supporting a point by introducing a similar subsequent statement; also recognizing altered attribution of activity to sentient/insentient for rhetorical force.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Arthāntaranyāsa—support by a similar subsequent statement; altered attribution of function","lookup_keywords":["arthāntaranyāsa","uttara-vākya","sādṛśya","cetana","acetana"],"quick_summary":"Arthāntaranyāsa strengthens a meaning by adding a subsequent, similar statement; it also includes shifted attribution of behavior or function, whether applied to sentient or insentient entities."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa
Concept: A claim gains force through corroborative parallel meaning; cognition tolerates functional reassignment for persuasive or aesthetic effect.
Application: In writing, add a second, analogous statement to buttress the first; in analysis, check whether the ‘other meaning’ is introduced to confirm the initial sense rather than to diverge from it.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara/Kavya-poetics: Artha-alankara definitions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scholar demonstrates a two-step argument: first statement on a manuscript, then a second similar statement added beneath to ‘support’ it; beside, a symbolic image of an insentient object shown acting like a sentient being to indicate altered attribution.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-tier manuscript panel (first claim, supporting parallel claim), stylized personified object (e.g., a river ‘speaking’) at the side, guru teaching, traditional borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf manuscript folio with two reinforcing lines, ornate scholar-figure, small vignette of an insentient object given action, rich temple colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram with ‘vākya 1’ and ‘vākya 2’ linked by a brace labeled sādṛśya, clean composition, subtle personification vignette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, literary salon with a calligrapher adding a corroborative couplet, marginal illustration of a personified lamp or river, fine detail and balanced layout"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सादृश्येनोत्तरेण = सादृश्येन + उत्तरेण; वृत्तिश्चेतनस्येतरस्य = वृत्तिः + चेतनस्य + इतरस्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 343 (artha-alaṅkāra definitions cluster)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-shastra (Sanskrit poetics): a technical definition of the artha-alankara called Arthāntaranyāsa, explaining how a later analogous statement (sādṛśya + uttara) reinforces or reframes the intended meaning.
By cataloging formal categories of literary aesthetics (alankāra) alongside other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—preserving not only ritual and dharma topics but also systematic Sanskrit rhetorical theory.
Indirectly, it supports dharmic cultivation through refined speech and correct interpretation: mastering śāstric expression and meaning is treated in the tradition as a discipline that aids right understanding (samyag-jñāna) and ethical communication.