Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 32
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
सर्वरीतिरसैः पुष्टं पुष्टङ्गुणविभूषणैः अत एव महाकाव्यं तत्कर्ता च महाकविः
sarvarītirasaiḥ puṣṭaṃ puṣṭaṅguṇavibhūṣaṇaiḥ ata eva mahākāvyaṃ tatkartā ca mahākaviḥ
जो रचना समस्त रीति और रसों से पुष्ट हो, तथा परिपक्व गुणों और अलंकारों से विभूषित हो—वही ‘महाकाव्य’ कहलाती है; और उसका रचयिता ‘महाकवि’ कहा जाता है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Provides a working definition for evaluating or composing a mahākāvya and recognizing a mahākavi; used as a checklist for literary excellence (rīti, rasa, guṇa, alaṅkāra).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Definition of Mahākāvya and Mahākavi","lookup_keywords":["mahākāvya","mahākavi","rīti","rasa","guṇa alaṅkāra"],"quick_summary":"A mahākāvya is a composition nourished by all rītis and rasas and ornamented with mature guṇas and embellishments; its creator is thereby termed a mahākavi."}
Alamkara Type: General alaṅkāra framework (not a single figure)
Concept: Literary perfection is multi-factor: style + rasa + qualities + ornaments; greatness is defined by integrated completeness rather than a single trait.
Application: Use as a rubric: ensure stylistic variety (rīti), rasa-development, strong guṇas (clarity, sweetness, vigor, etc.), and appropriate alaṅkāras before claiming mahākāvya status.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya & Alankara—definitions of Mahakavya and Mahakavi)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand poet presents a completed epic manuscript to an assembly; around the manuscript appear symbolic panels labeled rīti, rasa, guṇa, alaṅkāra, indicating the components that make it a mahākāvya and him a mahākavi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, poet in scholarly attire holding palm-leaf epic, surrounding medallions with Devanagari labels rīti rasa guṇa alaṅkāra, dignified court/temple hall backdrop, bold lines and warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf radiance around the manuscript and labels, poet seated on ornate throne-like seat, decorative borders, icon-like presentation of literary components as gilded emblems","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout with four labeled emblems (rīti/rasa/guṇa/alaṅkāra) around the poet, fine detailing and soft colors, emphasis on rubric/checklist feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, royal durbar receiving an epic, illuminated manuscript, marginal cartouches reading rīti rasa guṇa alaṅkāra, intricate textiles and architectural depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्टङ्गुणविभूषणैः = पुष्ट-गुण-विभूषणैः; तत्कर्ता = तत्-कर्ता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (sections on rīti, rasa, guṇa, alaṅkāra leading into this definition)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-shastra (Sanskrit poetics): the technical criteria for classifying a work as a mahākāvya—fullness of rīti and rasa, and strong guṇas with poetic embellishment.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana codifies secular knowledge systems; here it preserves a concise textbook-like definition from classical poetics, showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of arts and sciences including literary theory.
By defining standards for elevated, rasa-filled literature, it supports dharmic cultural transmission—composing or preserving such refined kāvya is treated as a meritorious act that uplifts minds through ethically and aesthetically ordered expression.