Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 37
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
सूक्तिभिः कविसिंहानां सुन्दरीभिः समन्वितः कोषो ब्रह्मापरिच्छिन्नः स विदग्धाय रोचते
sūktibhiḥ kavisiṃhānāṃ sundarībhiḥ samanvitaḥ koṣo brahmāparicchinnaḥ sa vidagdhāya rocate
कवि-सिंहों की सुन्दर सूक्तियों से युक्त ऐसा कोश—जो ब्रह्मा से भी अपरिच्छिन्न, अर्थात् असीम है—वही विदग्ध रसिक को प्रिय लगता है।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Guidance for compiling and appreciating subhāṣita/poetic anthologies (kośa): valuing inexhaustible collections of refined sayings for education, ethics, and aesthetic cultivation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Subhāṣita-Kośa: Inexhaustible Treasury of Poet-Lions’ Sayings","lookup_keywords":["sukti","subhashita-kosha","kavi-simha","vidagdha","ananta-kosha"],"quick_summary":"A treasury filled with beautiful sūktis from great poets is portrayed as inexhaustible—even beyond Brahmā’s delimitation—and it delights the discerning connoisseur."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole: ‘not delimited even by Brahmā’); Rūpaka/Metaphor (kośa as inexhaustible store)
Concept: Satsaṅga with refined speech: repeated exposure to noble utterances cultivates discernment and delight.
Application: Maintain a personal ‘kośa’ of verses; memorize and recite sūktis for ethical reflection, rhetorical skill, and aesthetic refinement.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya, Subhashita, Alankara)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast jewel-like treasury-library overflowing with scrolls of sūktis; lion-emblem poets present garlands of verses to a discerning connoisseur; Brahmā appears in the distance unable to measure the store.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, grand library-treasury with stacked palm-leaf bundles like jewels, poet-lions symbolically flanking, a vidagdha listener seated, distant Brahmā with measuring cord halted, bold lines and earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, opulent treasury with gold-leaf shimmer on manuscripts as ‘gems’, poets with lion insignia offering verse-garlands, Brahmā in a corner vignette, heavy ornamentation and rich colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined court-library scene, shelves of manuscripts, connoisseur reading, subtle symbolic lion motifs for poets, delicate shading and clear narrative details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a royal kitabkhana, illuminated anthology pages, poets presenting couplets, exaggerated abundance of books, Brahmā cameo with measuring tool, intricate border work"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कविसिंहानां = कवि-सिंहानाम्; ब्रह्मापरिच्छिन्नः = ब्रह्म + अपरिच्छिन्नः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (subhāṣita, chamatkāra, rasika/vidagdha discussions)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-shastra insight: refined, beautiful sūktis (well-crafted sayings) form a ‘treasury’ of poetic knowledge that specifically appeals to the vidagdha (trained connoisseur).
By treating literary culture as a formal domain of knowledge—alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and other sciences—the Agni Purana functions as an encyclopedia that also preserves kavya aesthetics and standards of cultivated taste.
It elevates sādhūkti (good, beautiful speech) as a meritorious cultural virtue: preserving and delighting in noble utterances supports dharmic refinement of mind and conduct, fostering sattvic discernment (vidagdhatā).