Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 27
Explanation of Abhinaya and Related Topics (अभिनयादिनिरूपणम्) — Agni Purana, Chapter 341
उक्तिः सा कथ्यते यस्यामर्थको ऽप्युपपत्तिमान् लोकयात्रार्थविधिना धिनोति हृदयं सतां
uktiḥ sā kathyate yasyāmarthako 'pyupapattimān lokayātrārthavidhinā dhinoti hṛdayaṃ satāṃ
जिस उक्ति में लोक-व्यवहार के अनुरूप अभिव्यक्ति-रीति से, युक्तियुक्त साधारण अर्थ भी सज्जनों के हृदय को मोह ले—वही ‘उक्ति’ कहलाती है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teaching)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"To craft 'ukti'—speech that makes even ordinary meaning compelling—by combining sound reasoning with a worldly, communicative style that wins over refined listeners.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ukti (apt utterance that captivates)","lookup_keywords":["ukti","upapatti","lokayatra","hridaya-harana","satam"],"quick_summary":"Ukti is that expression where even a commonplace idea, supported by reasoning and conveyed in a manner fit for worldly communication, captivates the hearts of discerning people."}
Alamkara Type: Ukti (quality of expression; guṇa-oriented)
Concept: The power of speech lies in coherence (upapatti) and appropriate communicative mode (lokayātrā), not merely in novelty of content.
Application: For teaching, counsel, or poetry: take a simple truth, support it with a clear rationale, and phrase it in familiar idiom to move refined audiences.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra / Alaṅkāra-śāstra: definitions of poetic expression)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-poet addresses an assembly: he takes a simple everyday example and, through clear reasoning and relatable phrasing, visibly moves the hearts of cultured listeners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sabhā scene with poet-teacher gesturing, listeners with softened attentive expressions, palm-leaf manuscript, visual motif of a heart-lotus opening, warm traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, orator-poet on a dais, gold accents on halo-like backdrop, audience of learned elders, decorative script panel showing a simple maxim turned elegant","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, classroom-like setting, poet demonstrating a simple statement then its refined ukti version on a board/manuscript, fine lines and calm colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly gathering, speaker presenting a reasoned aphorism, audience nodding, detailed architecture and textiles, calligraphy cartouche with the key line"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उक्तिः सा = उक्तिः सा; अर्थकोऽपि = अर्थकः अपि; अप्युपपत्तिमान् = अपि उपपत्ति-मान्; लोकयात्रार्थविधिना = लोक-यात्रा-अर्थ-विधिना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 341.24-341.26 (register imitation and mudrā as meaning-cue)
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra knowledge: the technical definition of ‘ukti’—speech whose logically fitting meaning, expressed in a worldly-appropriate style, delights discerning listeners.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves Sanskrit literary theory; this verse functions like a textbook sūtra defining a poetic category (ukti) and its aesthetic criterion (winning the hearts of satāṃ).
It elevates speech-ethics and refined expression: truthful, well-reasoned, socially appropriate speech that pleases the virtuous is treated as a mark of sādhutā (cultured goodness) and supports dharmic conduct.