Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 14
Arthālaṅkāras (Ornaments of Meaning): Definitions, Taxonomy, and the Centrality of Upamā
यदुच्यते ऽतिरिक्तत्वं व्यतिरेकोपमा तु सा यत्रोपमा स्याद्वहुभिः सदृशैः सा बहूपमा
yaducyate 'tiriktatvaṃ vyatirekopamā tu sā yatropamā syādvahubhiḥ sadṛśaiḥ sā bahūpamā
That figure in which “superiority/excess” is expressed is called the simile by contrast (vyatirekopamā). And where a simile is made by means of many similar comparands, that is called the multiple simile (bahūpamā).
Lord Agni (narrating the poetics section in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"To employ vyatirekopamā for expressing superiority (atiśaya) and bahūpamā for intensifying description by multiple comparands.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vyatirekopamā (Simile by Contrast) and Bahūpamā (Multiple Simile)","lookup_keywords":["vyatirekopamā","bahūpamā","atiśaya","upamā-bheda","multiple comparands"],"quick_summary":"When a simile explicitly conveys excess/superiority, it is vyatirekopamā. When one subject is compared through many similar standards, it is bahūpamā, heightening vividness and emphasis."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (Vyatireka; Bahūpamā)
Concept: Rhetorical force arises either by contrastive hierarchy (vyatireka) or by cumulative exemplars (bahu-upamāna).
Application: In stuti or heroic description, use vyatireka to assert unmatched excellence; use bahūpamā to build a crescendo of imagery without changing the subject.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara-shastra / Sanskrit poetics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A central hero/king is shown larger and brighter than comparand figures (vyatireka), while multiple symbolic comparands—lion, sun, mountain, ocean—surround him in a ring (bahūpamā).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, monumental central figure with radiant aura, surrounding medallions of lion, sun, mountain, ocean, clear hierarchy in scale, traditional ornamentation and flat stylization.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure with heavy gold work and halo, surrounding comparand icons in gilded roundels, rich maroon background, embossed superiority cues (larger scale, brighter gold).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, structured composition: left panel shows contrast (subject surpassing standard), right panel shows multiple comparands listed visually, fine outlines and gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court portrait with symbolic comparands in margins, subtle scale contrast to show superiority, detailed textiles and naturalistic animals, calligraphic captions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Raga Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यदुच्यते = यत् + उच्यते; उच्यतेऽतिरिक्तत्वम् = उच्यते + अतिरिक्तत्वम्; व्यतिरेकोपमा = व्यतिरेक + उपमा; यत्रोपमा = यत्र + उपमा; स्याद्बहुभिः = स्यात् + बहुभिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 343 (atiśaya-related ornaments; upamā continuations)
FAQs
It imparts kavya-vidya (Sanskrit poetics) by defining two sub-types of upamā (simile): vyatirekopamā (contrastive simile expressing superiority) and bahūpamā (simile using multiple similar comparands).
By codifying literary theory (alankāra-śāstra) alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium that preserves technical definitions used in classical Sanskrit aesthetics and composition.
While not a ritual injunction, mastering śāstra such as poetics is traditionally treated as a form of disciplined learning (vidyā-abhyāsa) that refines speech and understanding—supporting dharmic conduct through precise and truthful expression.