Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
काव्यं स्फुटदलङ्कारं गुणवद्दोषवर्जितम् योनिर्वेदश् च लोकश् च सिद्धमन्नादयोनिजं
kāvyaṃ sphuṭadalaṅkāraṃ guṇavaddoṣavarjitam yonirvedaś ca lokaś ca siddhamannādayonijaṃ
Puisi adalah yang hiasan retoriknya (alaṅkāra) tampak jelas, kaya akan keunggulan (guṇa), dan bebas dari cacat (doṣa). Sumbernya ialah Veda dan kebiasaan dunia (loka); ia merupakan seni yang mapan, dianggap lahir dari sumber-sumber dasar seperti ‘anna’ dan lainnya.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition with Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Evaluate and compose poetry by ensuring clear alaṅkāras, presence of guṇas, absence of doṣas, and grounding in both Vedic authority and refined worldly usage.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kāvya-lakṣaṇa: alaṅkāra, guṇa-doṣa, and sources (Veda & loka)","lookup_keywords":["kāvya-lakṣaṇa","alaṅkāra","guṇa-doṣa","veda","loka"],"quick_summary":"Poetry is defined by manifest ornaments, excellence, and freedom from faults; its authority and material are drawn from Veda and cultured worldly usage, making it a recognized discipline with stable standards."}
Alamkara Type: General alaṅkāra framework (not a single figure)
Concept: Art is disciplined by standards: beauty (alaṅkāra/guṇa) must be joined with correctness (doṣa-śūnyatā) and legitimate sources (Veda/loka).
Application: Before finalizing a poem: (1) check doṣas (semantic, grammatical, stylistic), (2) confirm guṇas (clarity, sweetness, vigor as appropriate), (3) ensure alaṅkāras are purposeful and not forced, (4) verify diction against śāstra and cultured usage.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya & Alankara)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet composes while two streams feed the manuscript: one labeled ‘Veda’ (mantra scrolls) and one labeled ‘Loka’ (market/court speech), and the finished poem is adorned like a garland (alaṅkāra) yet polished to remove blemishes (doṣa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, allegorical scene: poet seated with palm-leaf, two personified figures ‘Veda’ and ‘Loka’ offering scrolls, garland motifs representing alaṅkāra, subtle cleansing gesture removing doṣas, rich traditional borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central poet with gold halo, Veda as a sage holding mantra scroll, Loka as a refined courtier, gold-leaf garlands symbolizing alaṅkāras, luminous reds/greens, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-diagrammatic: checklist tablets ‘guṇa’ and ‘doṣa’, decorative garland overlay for alaṅkāra, Veda and Loka sources shown as labeled scrolls, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier with poet and patrons, one scholar reading Vedic folio, another citing worldly idiom, poem page decorated with floral illumination (alaṅkāra), meticulous detail and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्फुटदलङ्कारं = स्फुट-अलङ्कारम् (orthographic assimilation). गुणवद्दोषवर्जितम् = गुणवत् + दोष-वर्जितम्. योनिर्वेदश् च = योनिः + वेदः + च. लोकश् च = लोकः + च. अन्नादयोनिजं = अन्नाद-योनिजम् (compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336.3-336.4 (kāvya classification and requisites); Agni Purana 336 (alaṅkāra/guṇa/doṣa discussions in the same khanda)
FAQs
It imparts Kavya-śāstra criteria: true kāvya has clear alaṅkāras, possesses guṇas, avoids doṣas, and draws authority from both Vedic tradition and accepted worldly usage.
By defining poetry through technical categories (alaṅkāra, guṇa, doṣa) and grounding it in Veda and loka, the text treats literary theory as a formal śāstra alongside other disciplines, reflecting the Purana’s multi-disciplinary, encyclopedic scope.
By rooting kāvya in Veda and disciplined, fault-free expression, the verse frames refined speech as a dharmic practice—cultivating purity of expression and right understanding, which supports merit through truthful and elevating discourse.