Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 4
Nāṭaka-nirūpaṇam
Exposition of Drama / Dramatic Genres and Plot-Structure
उल्लाप्यकं प्रेङ्क्षणञ्च सप्तविंशतिरेव तत् सामान्यञ्च विशेषश् च लक्षणस्य द्वयी गतिः
ullāpyakaṃ preṅkṣaṇañca saptaviṃśatireva tat sāmānyañca viśeṣaś ca lakṣaṇasya dvayī gatiḥ
‘Ullāpyaka’ and ‘Preṅkṣaṇa’—these indeed bring the total to twenty-seven. And the course of lakṣaṇā (secondary or indicative meaning) is twofold: the general (sāmānya) and the particular (viśeṣa).
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Completing the count of recognized forms and introducing a key semantic doctrine—twofold lakṣaṇā—used in interpretation, commentary, and performance delivery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇā (secondary meaning): Sāmānya and Viśeṣa; completion of 27 forms","lookup_keywords":["lakṣaṇā","sāmānya","viśeṣa","ullāpyaka","preṅkṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The enumeration reaches twenty-seven with ullāpyaka and preṅkṣaṇa. Lakṣaṇā (indicative/secondary meaning) is taught as twofold—general and particular—supporting precise interpretation of poetic and dramatic language."}
Concept: Meaning operates beyond the literal through structured secondary signification; interpretive discipline is part of śāstra.
Application: Useful for commentators, translators, actors, and directors to decide when a line should be taken indicatively and whether the indication is generic or specific.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara & Lakshana: Sanskrit poetics/definitions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher draws two branches on a board labeled sāmānya and viśeṣa under 'lakṣaṇā', while a manuscript margin shows the final two forms ullāpyaka and preṅkṣaṇa completing the count of twenty-seven.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guru with stylus and palm-leaf, diagram of twofold lakṣaṇā, students attentive; decorative borders with the words 'sāmānya' and 'viśeṣa' in stylized script","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central acharya with gold halo, holding a manuscript titled 'Lakṣaṇā', two gold-embossed panels labeled sāmānya/viśeṣa, ornate frame and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: pedagogical scene with clear diagrammatic labels, manuscript showing '27' completion, soft palette and fine detailing of writing tools","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly lesson in a library, a chart of twofold lakṣaṇā on paper, scribes annotating margins with ullāpyaka/preṅkṣaṇa, intricate shelves and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: preṅkṣaṇañca = preṅkṣaṇam + ca; sāmānyañca = sāmānyam + ca; viśeṣaś ca = viśeṣaḥ + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Adhyaya 337 (Nāṭaka-nirūpaṇa, genre count); Agni Purana Adhyaya 336 (Alaṅkāra and kāvya-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
This verse imparts Sahitya-shastra (Sanskrit poetics) knowledge: it classifies lakṣaṇā (indicative/secondary meaning) as having two modes—general (sāmānya) and particular (viśeṣa)—and notes a traditional total of twenty-seven sub-types, including ‘ullāpyaka’ and ‘preṅkṣaṇa’.
By cataloging technical categories of meaning used in Sanskrit literary theory, the Agni Purana demonstrates that it is not only a religious text but also a compendium covering disciplines like semantics, rhetoric, and poetics—alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and architecture.
While not a ritual injunction, the instruction supports dharmic cultivation through refined speech and correct interpretation of sacred and literary language; clarity in meaning (including lakṣaṇā) aids accurate understanding of teachings and thus supports right conduct.