Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 10
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
ओजः समासभूयस्त्वमेतत्पद्यादिजीवितं आब्रह्म स्तम्भपर्यन्तमोजसैकेन पौरुषं
ojaḥ samāsabhūyastvametatpadyādijīvitaṃ ābrahma stambhaparyantamojasaikena pauruṣaṃ
Ojas adalah kelimpahan pemadatan majemuk (samāsa); inilah nyawa syair dan sejenisnya. Dari Brahmā hingga sehelai rumput, daya keperkasaan (pauruṣa) tegak oleh satu kekuatan bernama Ojas.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use the concept of ojas as the energizing force behind poetry and human vigor: in stotra and performance, cultivate compact, forceful expression (ojas-guṇa) to inspire courage and spiritual confidence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ojas as the life-force of verse and the basis of pauruṣa","lookup_keywords":["ojas","pauruṣa","padya-jīvita","samāsa-bhūyastva","stambha-paryanta"],"quick_summary":"Ojas is praised as the vital power animating verses and speech, characterized by density/compactness (often via compounds). The same single power sustains vigor from Brahmā to the smallest blade of grass."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: A single vital potency (ojas) pervades the hierarchy of beings and empowers both speech (kāvya) and courage (pauruṣa).
Application: In spiritual practice and leadership, speak with measured force and integrity; in personal discipline, preserve vitality and channel it into dharmic action.
Khanda Section: Stotra-Mantra / Spiritual Power (Ojas) and Praise (Pauruṣa)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous force labeled ‘ojas’ radiates through a vertical cosmos from Brahmā above to grass below; in the foreground, a poet’s verse scroll glows, showing ojas as the ‘life’ of poetry and the source of pauruṣa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cosmic column with Brahmā at top and grass at bottom, golden-red aura flowing as ‘ojas’, poet-sage holding a glowing palm-leaf verse, bold outlines, sacred energy motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central radiant ojas flame rendered with gold leaf, Brahmā above and a small grass tuft below within ornate frame, poet with scroll, rich reds and greens, devotional grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant cosmic hierarchy with labeled nodes (Brahmā to grass), a glowing verse manuscript marked ‘padya-jīvita’, calm instructional composition with fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical scene: luminous stream of vitality descending through beings, poet and warrior figures both touched by the same light, intricate borders, delicate shading, refined courtly symbolism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: etat+padyādi+jīvitam→etatpadyādijīvitam; ojasā+ekena→ojasaikena; ā+brahma treated as avyayībhāva; stambha+paryantam treated as avyayībhāva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra on guṇas (ojas, prasāda, mādhurya) in the same khanda; Agni Purana Ayurveda-related discussions of vitality/essences (ojas-like concepts) elsewhere in the Purana
FAQs
It teaches the doctrine of Ojas as the single sustaining potency behind strength (pauruṣa) and even the ‘life’ of poetic utterance (padyādi), framing vitality as a foundational power across all beings.
It links a physiological-spiritual concept (ojas) with aesthetics/learning (padyādi—verse and expression) and cosmology (from Brahmā to the smallest life-form), showing how the text synthesizes vitality theory, devotional praise, and universal hierarchy.
By venerating Ojas as a universal divine potency, the verse encourages cultivating inner strength and purity; such recognition supports steadiness in dharma and empowers disciplined speech, action, and devotion.