Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 32
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
यः प्रसिध्यति सामान्य इत्य् असौ समयो मतः सर्वेसिद्धान्तिका येन सञ्चरन्ति निरत्ययं
yaḥ prasidhyati sāmānya ity asau samayo mataḥ sarvesiddhāntikā yena sañcaranti niratyayaṃ
What is well established as “general” is regarded as a convention (samaya); by means of it, exponents of all doctrinal systems proceed without deviation.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Use 'samaya' (convention) as a shared baseline definition so different schools/critics can communicate and proceed consistently in debate, commentary, and textual interpretation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sāmānya as Samaya (Shared Convention)","lookup_keywords":["sāmānya","samaya","prasiddha","vyavahāra","siddhāntin"],"quick_summary":"What is widely established as 'general' functions as a convention (samaya), enabling exponents of diverse doctrines to operate without slipping into inconsistency."}
Concept: Prasiddhi (public establishment) grounds samaya; samaya enables inter-school discourse and prevents interpretive drift.
Application: In commentary or debate, explicitly state the samaya (accepted general sense) before advancing a school-specific refinement.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra: Poetics and Dramaturgy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of scholars from different schools agree on a shared glossary labeled 'samaya', then proceed to discuss their distinct theses without confusion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, multi-sect scholars seated in a circle, a palm-leaf glossary titled 'samaya', calm hand gestures indicating agreement, muted earth tones, temple-hall backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central golden panel showing the word 'samaya' on a manuscript, scholars with distinct sect marks (tilaka variations) in reverent discussion, gold highlights on borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with a two-column chart: 'prasiddha (sāmānya)' → 'samaya' → 'niratyaya pravṛtti', fine detailing and clear labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly symposium with a shared scroll passed around, precise architectural setting, delicate floral border, emphasis on orderly discourse"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity asau → iti + asau; sarvesiddhāntikā → sarva-siddhāntikāḥ (visarga often dropped in transmission); niratyayaṃ → niratyayam (m.c. anusvāra for final m).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346 (definitions of sāmānya/viśeṣa; debate-method framing)
FAQs
It teaches a technical hermeneutic rule: “sāmānya” (the generally established/common rule) functions as “samaya” (accepted convention) that guides correct śāstric reasoning and interpretation across disciplines.
By defining a cross-disciplinary interpretive principle—general convention (samaya) grounded in what is commonly established (sāmānya)—it provides a shared method usable in multiple śāstras (poetics, grammar, and philosophical systems), illustrating the text’s pan-śāstric scope.
Following established, non-deviant conventions in sacred learning supports right understanding (samyag-jñāna) and disciplined conduct in study, reducing interpretive error and aligning one’s learning with dharmic order.