Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 12
Nāṭaka-nirūpaṇam
Exposition of Drama / Dramatic Genres and Plot-Structure
सहिताः सूत्रधारेण संलापं यत्र कुर्वते चित्रैर् वाक्यैः स्वकार्योत्थैः प्रस्तुताक्षेपिभिर्मिथः
sahitāḥ sūtradhāreṇa saṃlāpaṃ yatra kurvate citrair vākyaiḥ svakāryotthaiḥ prastutākṣepibhirmithaḥ
Allí donde, junto con el Sūtradhāra, dialogan entre sí, empleando expresiones vívidas que nacen de sus propios fines dramáticos y contienen interjecciones agudas y pertinentes al contexto, así es el modo de tal conversación escénica.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teaching on poetics and dramaturgy)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Natya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Technique for prastāvanā dialogue: coordinated conversation with the Sūtradhāra using vivid, purpose-driven lines and well-timed interjections that advance the immediate dramatic objective.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sūtradhāra-led prastāvanā dialogue with pointed interjections","lookup_keywords":["saṃlāpa","Sūtradhāra","prastutākṣepa","citra-vākya","dramatic aim"],"quick_summary":"Effective prologue dialogue is collaborative with the Sūtradhāra and uses striking, goal-oriented speech. Insert context-relevant interjections (ākṣepa) to keep exposition lively and plot-aligned."}
Alamkara Type: Ākṣepa (rhetorical interjection/objection)
Concept: Speech should be purposive and context-sensitive; ornament serves function (plot-threading) rather than mere display.
Application: When writing or staging exposition, craft lines that each accomplish a task (introduce setting, hint conflict, cue entry) and use controlled interruptions to maintain attention.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Natya / Rupa-kalpa: dramaturgy and dialogue-technique)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Onstage, the Sūtradhāra and companions exchange brisk, vivid dialogue; one character interjects pointedly, redirecting the conversation toward the play’s immediate aim.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic hand-gestures (mudrā-like) between Sūtradhāra and companion, expressive faces showing interruption and response, lamp-lit stage, bold outlines and earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, theatrical arch with gold work; Sūtradhāra and companion mid-conversation, speech-scroll motifs, ornate costumes; emphasis on dramatic gesture and interjection moment.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional scene: two figures with clear gesture sequence—statement, interjection, resolution—soft colors, fine detailing, minimal background for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, lively conversational tableau with subtle humor; detailed textiles and props; Sūtradhāra holding script while another character interrupts with raised hand."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चित्रैर् = चित्रैः (विसर्ग-लोप); स्वकार्योत्थैः = स्व-कार्य-उत्थैः; प्रस्तुताक्षेपिभिः = प्रस्तुत-आक्षेपिभिः; आक्षेपिभिर्मिथः = आक्षेपिभिः + मिथः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 337 (dialogue forms in prastāvanā; definitions of ākṣepa/prastutākṣepa)
FAQs
It teaches a technical rule of nāṭya (dramaturgy): dialogue should be conducted with the sūtradhāra and characters mutually, using artful lines that serve each character’s dramatic purpose and include context-appropriate ākṣepa (pointed interjection/objection) to keep the scene lively and coherent.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana systematizes practical arts like sahitya and theatre; this verse is a compact dramaturgical definition describing how dialogue is structured on stage, showing the text’s coverage of cultural and technical knowledge.
By framing drama as a disciplined śāstric art, the verse implies that refined, truthful, and context-appropriate speech (vāk) expressed through regulated performance supports dharma and elevates cultural life, reducing disorderly or harmful speech.