Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 30
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
भवेद्विषादो दैवादेर्विघातो ऽभीष्टवस्तुनि औत्सुक्यमीप्सिताप्राप्तेर्वाञ्छया तरला स्थितिः
bhavedviṣādo daivādervighāto 'bhīṣṭavastuni autsukyamīpsitāprāptervāñchayā taralā sthitiḥ
「ヴィシャーダ（viṣāda）」すなわち落胆は、運命などによって望む対象に障碍が生じるとき起こる。「アウツクヤ（autsukya）」すなわち焦がれる不安は、願うものが未だ得られぬとき、欲求によって生じる不安定な状態である。
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"For poets and dramaturges: precise definition of vyabhicāri-bhāvas (sañcārī-bhāvas) viṣāda and autsukya to deploy in rasa construction and character psychology.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vyabhicāri-bhāvas: Viṣāda and Autsukya","lookup_keywords":["vyabhicāri-bhāva","sañcārī-bhāva","viṣāda","autsukya","rasa"],"quick_summary":"Viṣāda is despondency caused by obstruction to a desired object (often attributed to fate). Autsukya is restless longing arising from desire when the wished-for object is not yet obtained."}
Concept: Mental states arise dependently: desire plus obstruction yields viṣāda; desire plus non-attainment yields autsukya—an early psychological causal model.
Application: In performance or self-observation, distinguish ‘blocked’ sadness (viṣāda) from ‘unfulfilled’ restlessness (autsukya) to choose appropriate response—patience, strategy, or acceptance.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya & Rasa: Vyabhicari-bhavas / Sancari-bhavas)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two emotional tableaux: (1) a person slumped in viṣāda as a desired goal is blocked by ‘fate’ (storm, closed gate); (2) a person pacing and looking to the horizon in autsukya, awaiting the wished-for arrival.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with split scene: left—figure seated with lowered head before a shut doorway and dark cloud (daiva-vighāta); right—figure standing restless, eyes wide, hands fidgeting, looking toward distant lamp-light, bold expressive faces","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting diptych with gold highlights: viṣāda shown by drooping posture and muted palette; autsukya by alert eyes and dynamic stance; ornate floral borders, symbolic objects (closed lotus vs half-open lotus)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional depiction of bhāvas: labeled gestures (hasta) and facial expressions (mukhabhinaya) for viṣāda and autsukya, clean composition for learners","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: garden pavilion scene—lover despondent as messenger brings bad news (obstruction); companion scene—lover pacing by a riverbank awaiting boat, detailed flora and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेद्विषादः→भवेत् विषादः; दैवादेर्विघातः→दैवात् विघातः; विघातोऽभीष्टवस्तुनि→विघातः अभीष्टवस्तुनि; औत्सुक्यमीप्सिताप्राप्तेः→औत्सुक्यम् ईप्सित-अप्राप्तेः; अप्राप्तेर्वाञ्छया→अप्राप्तेः वाञ्छया
Related Themes: Agni Purana sāhitya/alaṃkāra portions on rasa, bhāva, and nāṭya-related definitions (around 338.30)
FAQs
This verse imparts kavya-shastra (Sanskrit poetics) knowledge by defining two vyabhicāri-bhāvas—viṣāda (despondency from obstruction) and autsukya (restless longing from non-attainment).
By systematically cataloging psychological-aesthetic states used in rasa theory, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium not only of ritual and dharma but also of technical literary science (alankāra-śāstra) relevant to drama and poetry.
Spiritually, it sharpens discernment of mental states: recognizing despondency as fate-linked obstruction and longing as desire-born instability supports self-mastery and reduces attachment-driven agitation, which is conducive to sattvic conduct.