Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 344: Ornaments of Word-and-Meaning (शब्दार्थालङ्काराः)
वैपरीत्यात्क्रियायोगाल्लक्षणा पञ्चधा मता गौणीगुणानामानन्त्यादनन्ता तद्विवक्षया
vaiparītyātkriyāyogāllakṣaṇā pañcadhā matā gauṇīguṇānāmānantyādanantā tadvivakṣayā
Because the primary meaning is obstructed by contradiction (vaiparītya) and by connection with an intended action (kriyā-yoga), lakṣaṇā (secondary signification) is held to be fivefold. Yet, since figurative (gauṇī) qualities are limitless, it becomes limitless according to the speaker’s intended purport.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Applying a fivefold taxonomy of lakṣaṇā to resolve meaning when literal sense is contradicted or when an intended action/purpose governs usage; recognizing that gauṇī extensions are open-ended in practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇā: Fivefold Classification and the Limitlessness of Gauṇī","lookup_keywords":["lakṣaṇā","vaiparītya","kriyā-yoga","pañcadhā","gauṇī"],"quick_summary":"Lakṣaṇā is taught as fivefold, triggered by contradiction (bādha/vaiparītya) and purposive action-context (kriyā-yoga); figurative extensions are ultimately limitless because qualities and speaker-intentions vary without bound."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā (with gauṇī extension)
Concept: Meaning is constrained by logical fit (avoid contradiction) yet guided by pragmatic intent (kriyā/prayojana); hence classifications exist but usage remains potentially infinite.
Application: In interpretation: (1) detect contradiction in literal sense, (2) infer intended action/purpose, (3) select the appropriate lakṣaṇā-type, while allowing context-driven extensions.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara and Shabda-shakti)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A five-spoked wheel labeled ‘lakṣaṇā (5)’ with two main causes shown as pillars: ‘vaiparītya/bādha’ and ‘kriyā-yoga’; beyond the wheel, an expanding field of ‘gauṇī-guṇa’ symbols indicates limitless extension.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic five-spoked chakra for lakṣaṇā-bheda, two supporting pillars labeled vaiparītya and kriyā-yoga, expanding floral motifs for ananta gauṇī-guṇa, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden wheel with five segments, ornate gold work, inscriptions for vaiparītya and kriyā-yoga, surrounding infinite pattern signifying ananta, devotional-cum-didactic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear pedagogic diagram: fivefold wheel, two causal boxes, arrows to examples, restrained palette and precise labeling for classroom use","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar presenting a circular chart to students, marginal illumination showing expanding motifs for ananta gauṇī, fine calligraphy labels and delicate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Raga Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaiparītyātkriyāyogāt → vaiparītyāt + kriyā-yogāt; kriyāyogāllakṣaṇā → kriyā-yogāt + lakṣaṇā (t→l sandhi); gauṇīguṇānāmānantyāt → gauṇī-guṇānām + ānantyāt
Related Themes: Agni Purana 344.9-11 (definitions leading to lakṣaṇā taxonomy)
FAQs
It imparts śābdabodha-vidyā (semantic theory): how lakṣaṇā, the indirect/indicative meaning, operates—classified as fivefold, while figurative extensions (gauṇī based on qualities) are effectively unlimited depending on intended purport.
Beyond rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also codifies Sanskrit literary theory—defining meaning-functions like lakṣaṇā and gauṇī—showing it preserves technical knowledge used in kavya interpretation, rhetoric, and scholastic exegesis.
By training precise interpretation of scripture and discourse (aligning meaning with vivakṣā), it supports right understanding (samyag-jñāna), reducing interpretive error that can lead to misguided practice and thus strengthening dharmic action.