Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
अपारे काव्यसंसारे कविरेव प्रजापतिः यथा वै रोचते विश्वं तथेदं परिवर्तते
apāre kāvyasaṃsāre kavireva prajāpatiḥ yathā vai rocate viśvaṃ tathedaṃ parivartate
果てしない詩の世界において、詩人のみが創造主プラジャーパティのごとき存在である。宇宙が彼にいかに心地よく映ずるかに応じて、この詩的世界もまたそのように形づくられ、変転する。
Lord Agni (narrating the Sahitya-shastra section to sage Vashistha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Poetics of authorship: empowers the poet as world-maker; used in literary criticism to justify creative freedom, selection, and transformation (kavi-pratibhā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kavi as Prajāpati (Pratibhā and Sṛṣṭi in Kavya)","lookup_keywords":["kavi","prajāpati","pratibhā","kāvya-saṃsāra","sṛṣṭi"],"quick_summary":"Declares the poet the creator within the limitless realm of poetry: the poetic universe is shaped according to the poet’s vision and delight."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Creative cognition: the poet’s imagination functions as a generative principle, ordering experience into a meaningful aesthetic world.
Application: In composition, consciously choose the ‘laws’ of your poetic universe—tone, imagery, moral horizon, and rasa-dominance—then keep internal consistency.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya & Alankara—Sanskrit poetics and literary theory)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet seated like a creator, with a manuscript unfolding into a miniature cosmos—mountains, rivers, cities, lovers, warriors—forming as he writes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: poet-sage with stylus; from palm-leaf manuscript emerges a layered cosmic tableau; stylized clouds and lotuses; Sanskrit labels ‘kaviḥ prajāpatiḥ’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central poet with gold halo; manuscript radiating gold filigree that becomes a world-scene; jewel-toned vignettes around; embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined linework showing sequential transformation—blank page → sketched world → fully colored poetic universe; instructional panels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier with poet; delicate landscape and cityscape flowing from the page; patrons watching; intricate borders and calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काव्यसंसारे = काव्य-संसारे; कविरेव = कविः + एव; तथेदं = तथा + इदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 338 (kavya-lakshana and rasa as essence)
FAQs
This verse imparts Sahitya-shastra (kavya-vidya): the technical principle that the poet functions as a ‘creator’ within the poetic universe, shaping the work according to aesthetic intention (rocana) and imaginative design.
By presenting a compact doctrine of literary theory—equating poetic authorship with cosmic creation—it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond ritual and dharma into systematic arts education (Sahitya/Alankara-shastra), a hallmark of its encyclopedic character.
Spiritually, it frames creative speech as a responsible, world-forming power: the poet’s intention molds meaning and values, implying that disciplined, dharmic artistry refines the mind and can support sattvic cultivation through elevating rasa and thought.