Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 24
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
कुलकं मुक्तकं कोष इति पद्यकुटुम्बकम् सर्गबन्धो महाकाव्यमारब्धं संस्कृतेन यत्
kulakaṃ muktakaṃ koṣa iti padyakuṭumbakam sargabandho mahākāvyamārabdhaṃ saṃskṛtena yat
‘Padyakuṭumbaka’ memiliki jenis: kulaka, muktaka, dan koṣa. Karya yang dimulai dalam Sanskerta yang halus dan tersusun sebagai rangkaian sarga (sarga-bandha) disebut mahākāvya.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Use the taxonomy of verse-clusters (padyakuṭumbaka) and the defining feature of mahākāvya (sarga-bandha in polished Sanskrit) to classify texts, plan composition, and teach students genre-criteria.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Padyakuṭumbaka-bheda and Mahākāvya-lakṣaṇa (sarga-bandha, saṃskṛta-ārambha)","lookup_keywords":["padyakuṭumbaka","kulaka","muktaka","koṣa","sarga-bandha"],"quick_summary":"A cluster of verses is categorized as kulaka, muktaka, or koṣa; an epic (mahākāvya) is defined by a canto-sequence (sarga-bandha) and a refined Sanskrit commencement. Apply these criteria to distinguish anthologies/verse-units from true epic architecture."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa (definition) and bheda (classification) as tools for clarity in arts.
Application: When composing, decide whether you are making a verse-unit/cluster (kulaka/muktaka/koṣa) or a sarga-based epic; align scope and narrative accordingly.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya- and Chandas/Poetics terminology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A classroom scene where a guru writes three headings—Kulaka, Muktaka, Koṣa—under ‘Padyakuṭumbaka’, and beside it draws a multi-canto scroll labeled ‘Sarga-bandha = Mahākāvya’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, guru with palm-leaf manuscript, students seated, wall panel showing a stylized scroll divided into ‘sarga’ sections; bold Devanagari labels: कुलक, मुक्तक, कोष, सर्गबन्ध, महाकाव्य.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold-leaf borders, central manuscript and stylus emphasized, decorative cartouches for Kulaka/Muktaka/Koṣa, a long gilded scroll segmented into cantos labeled ‘sarga’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined instructional diagram: a chart of categories on a board, neat calligraphy, calm scholarly ambience, emphasis on textual organization and canto divisions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a kitabkhana (library) with scholars, piles of manuscripts; one open folio shows a table of categories and a long epic scroll segmented into sargas; intricate carpet and architectural niche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mahākāvyamārabdham → mahākāvyam + ārabdham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (kāvya-bheda; mahākāvya and minor forms)
FAQs
It imparts sāhitya-śāstra (poetics) terminology: the classification of verse-units (kulaka, muktaka, koṣa) and the defining feature of a mahākāvya as a sarga-structured epic composed in refined Sanskrit.
By codifying technical literary categories and epic structure, it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium not only of ritual and dharma, but also of classical knowledge-systems like kavya-śāstra used in education, authorship, and textual culture.
Indirectly, it elevates disciplined, ‘saṃskṛta’ (refined) speech and well-ordered composition as dhārmic cultivation of learning (vidyā), supporting merit through preservation, teaching, and transmission of sacred and cultured knowledge.