Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 6
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
आकाराणां समुछेदो दुर्गादीनामसत्क्रिया अर्थानां दूषणं प्रोक्तं विप्रकीर्णत्वमेव च
ākārāṇāṃ samuchedo durgādīnāmasatkriyā arthānāṃ dūṣaṇaṃ proktaṃ viprakīrṇatvameva ca
શબ્દરૂપોની કાપછાંટ/વિકૃતિ, દુર્ગ વગેરે કઠિન પદોનો અયોગ્ય પ્રયોગ, અર્થનો બગાડ—આ દોષો કહેવાયા છે; તેમજ રચનાની વિખેરાશ પણ.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Editing and composition guidance: avoid morphological mangling, mishandling difficult words/expressions, semantic corruption, and incoherent diffuseness in poetry/prose.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kāvya-doṣāḥ: ākāra-samuccheda, durgādi-asatkriyā, artha-dūṣaṇa, viprakīrṇatva","lookup_keywords":["kāvya-doṣa","ākāra-samuccheda","artha-dūṣaṇa","viprakīrṇatva","durgādi"],"quick_summary":"Poetic faults include mangling word-forms, improper handling of difficult/complex expressions, spoiling the intended meaning, and diffuseness—scattered, incoherent composition."}
Concept: Śabda and artha must be intact; literary beauty depends on grammatical correctness and semantic coherence.
Application: Use grammatical review, glossary checks for ‘difficult’ words, and outline-based revision to prevent scattered composition.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara: poetic faults and stylistics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet-scribe revises a manuscript: correcting broken word-forms, clarifying difficult expressions, restoring meaning, and reorganizing scattered verses into a coherent sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar in a traditional study hall with palm-leaf manuscripts, red correction marks shown symbolically, four panels labeled ākāra-samuccheda, durgādi-asatkriyā, artha-dūṣaṇa, viprakīrṇatva, rich flat colors and ornate border","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, seated Sarasvati-like scholarly ambiance without deity focus: poet with stylus and palm leaves, gold-leaf highlighting corrected lines, orderly stacked manuscripts symbolizing coherence","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition scene: teacher pointing to a manuscript, rearranging verse slips into order, clear depiction of ‘before/after’ text blocks, delicate lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier of calligraphers and poets, one scribe scraping and rewriting, another arranging folios, detailed stationery and carpets, subtle color palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: durgādīnāmasatkriyā = durgādīnām + asatkriyā; viprakīrṇatvameva = viprakīrṇatvam + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya/Alamkara chapters on guṇa-doṣa, rīti, alaṅkāra, and chandas
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-shastra knowledge by listing key kavya-doṣas (poetic faults): mutilated word-forms, incorrect use of difficult expressions, corruption of intended meaning, and incoherent/over-scattered composition.
By treating literary theory (kavya composition and defects) alongside other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—showing that correct language, style, and semantic clarity are also formal disciplines within its broader knowledge-system.
Clear, correct speech and coherent meaning are traditionally linked with satya (truthfulness) and śuddhi (purity); avoiding such faults supports disciplined expression, reduces misunderstanding, and aligns learning and teaching with dharmic clarity.