Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 21
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
यथासङ्ख्यमनुद्देशः सामन्यमतिदिश्यते समये वर्णनीयस्य दारुणस्यापि वस्तुनः
yathāsaṅkhyamanuddeśaḥ sāmanyamatidiśyate samaye varṇanīyasya dāruṇasyāpi vastunaḥ
वर्णनीय विषय चाहे कठोर या भयावह ही क्यों न हो, फिर भी समयानुसार उचित क्रम में संकेत करना सामान्य नियम के रूप में निर्धारित है।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Guideline for structuring descriptions in poetry/prose: present details in a clear, sequential order even when depicting frightening/violent subject matter, so the audience comprehends without confusion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Yathāsaṅkhyānudeśa (Sequential Indication) as a General Rule","lookup_keywords":["yathāsaṅkhya","anuddeśa","krama","varṇanīya","dāruṇa-vastu"],"quick_summary":"Maintain orderly sequence (krama) in description as a general compositional rule. Even dreadful themes should be narrated step-by-step for clarity and aesthetic control."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama/Yathāsaṅkhya (ordering principle; often treated under guṇa-doṣa and varṇana-krama)
Concept: Knowledge becomes communicable through ordered presentation; even intense content requires disciplined structure.
Application: Use sequential outlining in teaching, narration, and technical writing to prevent cognitive overload and preserve intended effect.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara—technical rules of composition and description)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet-teacher points to a palm-leaf manuscript with numbered steps, while a dramatic scene of a dreadful event is shown in the background being narrated in orderly panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, guru-poet seated with palm-leaf manuscript, sequential panels depicting a fearful episode, earthy reds and greens, clear panel order, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, poet-sage with manuscript and stylus, gold-leaf highlights on borders, background showing a dreadful scene arranged in neat registers, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition scene, labeled sequence marks on manuscript, soft shading, delicate lines, background vignette of bhayānaka subject rendered with restraint","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court poet demonstrating ordered narration, marginal numbered cartouches, a harsh event depicted in small sequential frames, fine detailing and muted palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yathāsaṅkhyam = yathā + saṅkhyam (avyayībhāva); sāmanyam-atidiśyate = sāmānyam + atidiśyate; dāruṇasya-api = dāruṇasya + api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra sections on guṇa-doṣa, aucitya, varṇana-krama (near 345.21–345.24)
FAQs
It teaches a technical kavya-shastra rule: when describing any subject—even frightening or intense themes—the poet should present details in a properly ordered sequence (yathāsaṅkhyam) as a general compositional norm.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also systematizes literary theory; this verse preserves a formal rule of Sanskrit composition (ordered enumeration/indication), showing the text’s coverage of arts and scholarly disciplines alongside religious instruction.
By promoting disciplined, truthful, and well-ordered speech, it supports sattvic communication—reducing confusion and harm—so even difficult subjects are conveyed responsibly and with restraint.