Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 22
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
इष्टव्याघातकारित्वं हेतोः स्यादसमर्थता असिद्धत्वं विरुद्धत्वमनैकान्तिकता तथा
iṣṭavyāghātakāritvaṃ hetoḥ syādasamarthatā asiddhatvaṃ viruddhatvamanaikāntikatā tathā
Une raison (hetu) est tenue pour défectueuse lorsqu’elle : contredit la thèse visée, est impuissante (à la prouver), n’est pas établie, est contradictoire, ou demeure non concluante/irrégulière (anekāntika).
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Debate and reasoning: diagnosing defective reasons (hetu-doṣa/hetvābhāsa) to avoid invalid proofs and to refute opponents systematically.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hetu-doṣa / Hetvābhāsa: Defects of a Reason","lookup_keywords":["hetu","hetvābhāsa","asiddha","viruddha","anaikāntika"],"quick_summary":"A reason fails when it harms the thesis, lacks proving power, is unestablished, is contradictory, or is inconclusive—core checks for valid inference and debate."}
Concept: Validity of inference depends on the integrity of the reason; specific failure-modes (hetvābhāsa) must be screened.
Application: Before presenting an argument, test the hetu: (1) does it support the iṣṭa (thesis) rather than damage it, (2) is it capable of establishing the sādhya, (3) is it established in the pakṣa, (4) is it non-contradictory, (5) is it non-deviating (present in sapakṣa and absent in vipakṣa).
Khanda Section: Nyaya (Hetu-lakshana & Hetvabhasa) / Tarka-shastra
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal debate in a sabhā: one debater presents a reason, while a judge-scholar lists five defects on a tablet, marking the faulty hetu.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sabhā debate scene with seated paṇḍitas, stylized gestures of argument, a central board showing five hetu-doṣas, earthy reds and greens, ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted sabhā pillars, central judge with palm-leaf and stylus, five defect labels in decorative medallions, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: five-panel diagram of hetu defects beside a debate scene, fine outlines, soft colors, clear inscriptions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court debate with scholars, one scribe recording, marginal notes listing asiddha/viruddha/anaikāntika, intricate carpet patterns and arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syād-asamarthatā = syāt + asamarthatā; viruddhatvam-anaikāntikatā = viruddhatvam + anaikāntikatā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346 (Nyaya/Tarka: hetu-lakṣaṇa, hetvābhāsa, vāda)
FAQs
It teaches Nyāya/tarka criteria for identifying fallacious reasons (hetv-ābhāsa) in inference—how a proof fails when the hetu is contradictory, unestablished, incapable, or inconclusive.
By including formal logic (Nyāya) alongside ritual and dharma topics, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of disciplines—here, providing tools for debate, reasoning, and valid inference.
Sound reasoning supports right understanding (samyag-jñāna) and prevents error in dharma and practice; avoiding fallacious arguments is presented as part of disciplined, truth-aligned conduct.