Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 39
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
कविभिस्तत् प्रतिग्राह्यं ज्ञानस्य द्योतमानता यदेवार्थक्रियाकारि तदेव परमार्थसत्
kavibhistat pratigrāhyaṃ jñānasya dyotamānatā yadevārthakriyākāri tadeva paramārthasat
Lo único que han de aceptar los poetas es la claridad luminosa del conocimiento. Aquello que es eficaz en producir el resultado pretendido—solo eso es lo verdaderamente real en el sentido supremo (paramārtha-sat).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"For poets and critics, accept expressions grounded in clear knowledge and pragmatic efficacy (arthakriyā); use this as a criterion for meaningful depiction and credible rasa-production.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Kavi-accepted Knowledge: Dīptatā and Arthakriyā","lookup_keywords":["kavi","jñāna-dyotamānatā","arthakriyā","paramārtha-sat","pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Poetic acceptance is tied to luminous clarity of knowledge, and ultimate reality is linked to what produces effective results. Practical takeaway: align poetic imagination with intelligibility and functional truth to sustain credibility and aesthetic impact."}
Concept: Arthakriyā (capacity to accomplish an effect) as a marker of paramārtha-sat; knowledge’s luminosity as acceptability criterion.
Application: In literary criticism and communication, prefer statements/images that guide action or insight; avoid obscurity that fails to yield understanding or effect.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-shastra / Poetics and Epistemic Criteria)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet in a sabhā presenting verses; a lamp symbolizes luminous knowledge; a practical outcome scene (e.g., guidance leading to successful action) symbolizes arthakriyā; judges nod in acceptance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal-scholarly assembly with poet holding palm-leaf manuscript, central oil lamp glowing, side vignette of action succeeding due to right knowledge, bold lines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, poet with gold-embossed lamp halo motif, ornate court setting, small narrative panels showing ‘result accomplished’, rich gold work emphasizing ‘dyotamānatā’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional art: poet, critic, and scribe; clear iconography of lamp (clarity) and completed task (efficacy), neat composition and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined literary salon with calligraphy tools, a luminous lamp at center, marginal miniature showing a messenger successfully completing a mission—arthakriyā allegory, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कविभिस्तत् = कविभिः + तत्; यदेव = यत् + एव; अर्थक्रियाकारि = अर्थ + क्रिया + कारि; तदेव = तत् + एव; परमार्थसत् = परमार्थ + सत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346.38 (pramāṇa and bādhā); Agni Purana 346.40 (śabda-alaṅkāra; para/apara vidyā)
FAQs
It teaches an epistemic criterion: knowledge is to be accepted when it is clear (dyotamānatā) and when it proves efficacious in practice (arthakriyā-kāritva).
Beyond rituals and narratives, the Agni Purana also preserves principles of śāstra—here, a rule for validating knowledge used across disciplines like poetics, logic, and practical arts.
It directs the seeker toward truth that transforms conduct and results, discouraging empty speculation and favoring knowledge that leads to right action and meaningful attainment.