Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 7
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
गूडार्थता विपर्यस्तार्थता संशयितार्थता अविष्पष्टार्थता भेदास्तत्र गूढार्थतेति सा
gūḍārthatā viparyastārthatā saṃśayitārthatā aviṣpaṣṭārthatā bhedāstatra gūḍhārthateti sā
Obscurity of meaning, inverted meaning, doubtful meaning, and unclear meaning—these are the varieties; among them, that defect is termed “obscurity of meaning” (gūḍhārthatā).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Helps poets/editors diagnose semantic faults (artha-doṣa) such as obscurity, inversion, doubt, and lack of clarity, improving communicative elegance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Artha-doṣa bheda: gūḍha, viparyasta, saṃśayita, aviṣpaṣṭa","lookup_keywords":["gūḍhārthatā","viparyastārthatā","saṃśayitārthatā","aviṣpaṣṭārthatā","artha-doṣa"],"quick_summary":"Four principal meaning-defects are enumerated; ‘gūḍhārthatā’ is defined as obscurity where sense is hidden rather than lucidly conveyed."}
Concept: Clarity of meaning is a discipline; faults are knowable and classifiable.
Application: Use the fourfold checklist while composing or revising: remove hidden sense (unless intentionally suggested), avoid inversion, eliminate doubt, and ensure explicitness.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra / Alaṅkāra and Doṣa-nirūpaṇa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet’s workshop where a manuscript is annotated with four labels—obscure, inverted, doubtful, unclear—while the teacher points to the term gūḍhārthatā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scribe and ācārya with palm-leaf, four small emblematic panels around them labeled with the four doṣas, muted temple colors, didactic posture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central manuscript framed with gold, four surrounding medallions naming the doṣas, teacher and student in profile, jewel-toned palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic layout: four boxes with Sanskrit terms and brief glosses, teacher holding stylus, minimal background for instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, literary salon with scholars, marginalia on a folio showing the four categories, fine floral borders and precise calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गूडार्थता = गूढार्थता (IAST gūḍhārthatā); भेदास्तत्र = भेदाः + तत्र; गूढार्थतेति = गूढार्थता + इति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346.8-346.10 (definitions/expansions of listed doṣas)
FAQs
It imparts Kavya-śāstra technical knowledge by classifying meaning-based poetic defects—obscure, inverted, doubtful, and unclear sense—used to evaluate and refine Sanskrit composition.
By including formal terminology from Sanskrit literary theory (Alaṅkāra/Kavya-śāstra) alongside other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a multi-disciplinary handbook, extending beyond ritual into aesthetics and critical standards of writing.
Clear, non-deceptive speech and well-formed expression are traditionally linked with satya (truthfulness) and dharma; avoiding obscurity and confusion supports right understanding of sacred and ethical teachings, reducing misinterpretation and its karmic consequences.