Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 10
Arthālaṅkāras (Ornaments of Meaning): Definitions, Taxonomy, and the Centrality of Upamā
यत्र साधारणो धर्मः कथ्यते गम्यते ऽपि वा ते धर्मवस्तुप्राधान्याद्धर्मवस्तूपमे उभे
yatra sādhāraṇo dharmaḥ kathyate gamyate 'pi vā te dharmavastuprādhānyāddharmavastūpame ubhe
Where a common attribute (dharma) is explicitly stated—or even merely understood—those two cases are, because the entity/subject (vastu) is primary there, instances of ‘dharmavastu-upamā’: a simile in which both the attribute and the entity are taken into account.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic topics, here poetics/technical definitions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Identify the subtype dharmavastu-upamā by checking whether the common attribute is stated or only implied, and noting that both attribute (dharma) and entity (vastu) are treated as primary in interpretation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dharmavastu-upamā (Simile with Stated/Implied Common Attribute)","lookup_keywords":["dharmavastu-upamā","sādhāraṇa-dharma","kathyate","gamyate","upamā-bheda"],"quick_summary":"When the shared attribute is either explicitly expressed or understood, and the entity/subject matter remains primary, the simile is classified as dharmavastu-upamā."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (dharmavastu subtype)
Concept: Meaning can be directly stated or inferred; śāstra legitimizes both explicit (abhidhā) and implied (gamyate) cognition in literary understanding.
Application: In commentary, annotate whether the dharma is expressed (e.g., ‘śuklaḥ’) or only suggested by context; then label the example as dharmavastu-upamā when both dharma and vastu are operative.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara and technical definitions)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two examples of simile shown side-by-side: one with the shared attribute written plainly between upameya and upamāna, and one where the attribute is shown as a faint, inferred glow, indicating implied dharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, diptych: left panel bold inscription of dharma between two figures/objects, right panel subtle aura indicating implied dharma, scholar pointing to ‘kathyate’ and ‘gamyate’ labels, traditional colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted dharma word in the explicit panel, softer gilded aura in the implied panel, ornate borders, central manuscript motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional comparison with arrows: stated dharma vs inferred dharma, neat calligraphy labels, gentle shading and classroom ambiance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, annotated folio with two illustrated similes, one with written attribute, one with marginal note indicating implication, refined palette and detailed textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गम्यते + अपि → गम्यतेऽपि; प्राधान्यात् + धर्म... → प्राधान्याद्धर्म...; वस्तु + उपमे → वस्तूपमे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 343.6 (sādhāraṇa-dharma basis); Agni Purana 343.9 (upamā-bheda enumeration)
FAQs
It imparts a technical rule from Sanskrit poetics (alaṅkāra-śāstra): when a shared attribute is stated or understood between two entities, the simile is classified as dharmavastu-upamā due to the primacy of the entities (vastu) along with the attribute (dharma).
Beyond myth and ritual, the Agni Purana systematizes scholarly disciplines; here it codifies a fine-grained taxonomy of figures of speech (upamā-bheda) used in Sanskrit literature and rhetoric.
While primarily technical, mastering correct expression and refined understanding (śāstra-jñāna) is traditionally treated as a meritorious discipline that supports dharma through precise teaching, interpretation, and transmission of sacred and learned texts.