Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 34
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
चतुर्वर्गफलं विश्वग्व्याख्यातं नायकाख्यया समानवृत्तिनिर्व्यूटः कौशिकीवृत्तिकोमलः
caturvargaphalaṃ viśvagvyākhyātaṃ nāyakākhyayā samānavṛttinirvyūṭaḥ kauśikīvṛttikomalaḥ
Su fruto es la consecución de los cuatro fines de la vida, y se explica como de aplicación universal bajo la denominación “Nāyaka”. Está compuesto en sama-vṛtta (metro isométrico) y es de carácter suave, propio de la Kauśikī vṛtti (estilo grácil).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Identification and deployment of a specific sama-vrtta and stylistic register (Kauśikī vṛtti) for composing/performing nāyaka-centered poetry that aims at dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa framing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nāyaka Designation; Sama-vṛtta Construction; Kauśikī Vṛtti (Komala) Character","lookup_keywords":["nayaka","sama-vrtta","kaushiki-vritti","komala","chaturvarga-phala"],"quick_summary":"The passage characterizes a nāyaka-oriented poetic form as universally applicable, built in an isometric metre, and marked by the gentle Kauśikī style; it is framed as yielding the four aims of life."}
Concept: Chaturvarga orientation: literature/heroic-narrative is legitimized as serving the four puruṣārthas.
Application: Compose narratives with ethical and life-aim framing; choose gentle Kauśikī style and regular metre when aiming for refined, broadly acceptable presentation.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Vritta: Sanskrit prosody and metrical analysis)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramaturge-poet demonstrates a ‘sama-vṛtta’ pattern on a board while dancers embody the soft Kauśikī style around a central nāyaka figure; four symbols of puruṣārthas appear as emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized stage with nāyaka at center, dancers in graceful poses (Kauśikī), a palm-leaf chart showing equal metre beats, four emblems (dharma wheel, coin, flower, lamp) in corners, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, nāyaka seated with attendants, dancers in komala postures, gold-leaf highlighting rhythmic grid of sama-vṛtta, ornate arch framing four puruṣārtha symbols","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: metre grid (equal mātrā/akṣara blocks) beside a gentle dance vignette, labeled ‘Kauśikī’, soft colors, precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a mehfil: poet explains metre to patrons, a dancer demonstrates graceful style, marginal notes as rhythmic ticks, refined architecture and patterned carpet"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चतुर्वर्गफलं = चतुर्-वर्ग-फलम्; विश्वग्व्याख्यातं = विश्वक् + व्याख्यातम्; नायकाख्यया = नायक-आख्यया; समानवृत्तिनिर्व्यूटः = समान-वृत्ति-निर्व्यूटः; कौशिकीवृत्तिकोमलः = कौशिकी-वृत्ति-कोमलः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (sections on chandas/vṛtta and stylistic vṛttis)
FAQs
It imparts chandas-vidyā (prosodic science): identifying a metre called “Nāyaka,” classifying it as a sama-vṛtta, and describing its aesthetic effect as aligned with the gentle Kauśikī vṛtti.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs technical arts like Sanskrit prosody and poetics; this verse exemplifies its systematic treatment of metres (vṛtta), their classifications, and their stated literary/spiritual “phala.”
By attributing “caturvarga-phala” to the proper use/recitation of this metre, the text links refined literary practice (correct metre and style) with merit and holistic life-goals—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa.