Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 44
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
आलम्बनविभावस्य भावैर् उद्बुद्धसंस्कृतैः मनोवाग्बुद्धिवपुषां स्मृतीछाद्वेषयत्नतः
ālambanavibhāvasya bhāvair udbuddhasaṃskṛtaiḥ manovāgbuddhivapuṣāṃ smṛtīchādveṣayatnataḥ
目覚めて洗練されたbhāvaによって、ālambana-vibhāva（所縁の因）は顕現へと導かれる。これは心・言葉・知性・身体に作用し、想起・隠蔽・嫌悪・努力という働きを意図的に運用することによって成就する。
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Apply rasa-theory in poetry/drama: select an ālambana (hero/heroine/object) and activate it through refined bhāvas and mental operations (smṛti, concealment, aversion, effort) to affect audience cognition and embodiment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ālambana-vibhāva manifested through refined bhāvas and mental operations","lookup_keywords":["ālambana-vibhāva","bhāva","smṛti","dveṣa","prayatna"],"quick_summary":"The aesthetic support (ālambana-vibhāva) becomes vivid through awakened/refined bhāvas, operating via remembrance, concealment, aversion, and effort, impacting mind, speech, intellect, and body."}
Concept: Aesthetic cognition is engineered: refined inner states (bhāvas) and intentional mental acts make the object of emotion (ālambana) experientially present.
Application: For poets/actors: craft scenes that trigger smṛti and controlled concealment/revelation; for performers: coordinate speech and bodily expression to embody bhāva.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara and Rasa theory)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramatist/ācārya instructs actors: the hero/heroine (ālambana) is highlighted while performers demonstrate memory, concealment, aversion, and effort through facial expression, gesture, and speech; audience visibly responds in mind and body.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stage-like setting with stylized actors in expressive mudrās, central ālambana figure emphasized, surrounding bhāva waves indicated by decorative motifs, teacher guiding, rich earthy colors and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate proscenium with gold work, central nāyaka/nāyikā as ālambana, side panels showing smṛti (reminiscent gaze), chādana (veiled gesture), dveṣa (turned face), prayatna (tense posture), jewel-toned costumes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic tableau with labeled gestures and expressions, refined linework on faces/hastas, calm background, emphasis on technique and sequencing of bhāvas.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court performance with detailed spectators, subtle facial expressions showing cognitive impact, actors demonstrating contrasting bhāvas, architectural depth and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भावैर् → भावैः; उद्बुद्धसंस्कृतैः → उद्बुद्ध-संस्कृतैः; मनोवाग्बुद्धिवपुषां → मनः-वाक्-बुद्धि-वपुषाम्; स्मृतीछाद्वेषयत्नतः → स्मृति-ईच्छा-द्वेष-यत्नतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 338 (rasa-bhāva-vibhāva terminology and definitions)
FAQs
It teaches a technical point of Rasa-śāstra: the ālambana-vibhāva (the emotional ‘support’ such as hero/heroine or object) becomes effective through cultivated bhāvas that shape inner and outer expression—mind, speech, intellect, and bodily response—using mechanisms like remembrance and intentional effort.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves formal Sanskrit literary theory (Alankāra/Rasa), explaining how emotions are aesthetically generated—showing its coverage of arts, psychology of expression, and poetics alongside other sciences.
By mapping how mental states condition speech and bodily conduct, it implicitly supports self-discipline: understanding remembrance, concealment, aversion, and effort as drivers of behavior helps refine one’s saṃskāras and cultivate sattvic expression.