Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 32
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
क्रोधस्याप्रशमो ऽमर्षः प्रबोधश्चेतनोदयः अवहित्थं भवेद्गुप्तिरिङ्गिताकारगोचरा
krodhasyāpraśamo 'marṣaḥ prabodhaścetanodayaḥ avahitthaṃ bhavedguptiriṅgitākāragocarā
Unappeased anger, indignation (amārṣa), sudden alertness, and the rising of consciousness (inner agitation)—these constitute dissimulation; and concealment is to be inferred from gestures and outward expressions.
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Statecraft and interpersonal intelligence: reading concealed intentions—distinguishing dissimulation (avahittha) and concealment (gupti) through anger patterns, sudden alertness, and telltale gestures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Inference of dissimulation and concealment from affect and gesture","lookup_keywords":["avahittha","gupti","krodha","iṅgita","ākāra"],"quick_summary":"Dissimulation is indicated by unappeased anger, indignation, sudden awakening/alertness, and rising inner agitation; concealment is inferred from gestures and outward expressions (iṅgita-ākāra)."}
Concept: Inner states manifest outwardly; inference (anumāna) from affect and gesture is a valid practical epistemic tool in governance.
Application: In counsel, negotiation, and security, watch for mismatch between speech and iṅgita (micro-gestures, sudden vigilance, persistent anger) before trusting assurances.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Signs of inner states and concealed intentions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister or spy observes a courtier: the courtier shows unappeased anger and sudden alertness while pretending calm; the observer reads concealment from hand movements, eye shifts, and posture in a royal assembly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of royal sabhā: observer figure at side noting iṅgita; suspect courtier with tense jaw, narrowed eyes, clenched fist hidden in cloth; stylized gestures and expressive faces, palace pillars and lamps","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold court setting: king on throne, minister pointing subtly to suspect’s gesture; emphasis on jewelry and textiles; moral drama conveyed through posture and facial tension","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style semi-diagrammatic scene: close attention to hand and eye cues; annotations implied by scroll in minister’s hand; clean composition for instructional reading of iṅgita-ākāra","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature durbar: discreet spy observing from behind a screen; suspect courtier with forced smile and tense eyes; intricate architectural backdrop, detailed expressions and gestures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"serious","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्रोधस्याप्रशमः→क्रोधस्य अप्रशमः; अप्रशमोऽमर्षः→अप्रशमः अमर्षः; प्रबोधश्चेतनोदयः→प्रबोधः चेतन-उदयः; भवेद्गुप्तिः→भवेत् गुप्तिः; गुप्तिरिङ्गिताकारगोचरा→गुप्तिः इङ्गित-आकार-गोचरा
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma/nīti passages on ministers, spies, and assessment of persons (contextual adjacency to 338.29)
FAQs
It teaches a niti-shastra method: identifying dissimulation and concealment by noting unpacified anger, resentment, sudden arousal, and by reading observable gestures and facial/body expressions (iṅgita-ākāra).
Beyond ritual and mythology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical governance and behavioral science—here, a compact diagnostic framework for detecting hidden emotions and intentions useful in administration, diplomacy, and adjudication.
Ethically, it warns that unchecked anger and pretence distort conduct; cultivating self-control and truthfulness supports dharma, while discerning deceit helps a ruler uphold justice without being misled.