Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 26
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
शब्दावबोधतः शाब्दी प्राहुः षोढा प्रहेलिकां यस्मिन् गुप्ते ऽपि वाक्याङ्गे भाव्यर्थो ऽपारमार्थिकः
śabdāvabodhataḥ śābdī prāhuḥ ṣoḍhā prahelikāṃ yasmin gupte 'pi vākyāṅge bhāvyartho 'pāramārthikaḥ
語の把握にもとづいて、学匠たちはこの謎を「śābdī（シャーブディー）」すなわち言語的な謎と称する。これは十六種あるとされ、文の一肢が秘されていても意図された意味を推知すべきであるが、その意味は主要な（paramārthika、字義・本義）ではない。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Classifying and composing riddling/indirect expressions in poetry; training readers to infer intended sense when a sentence-member is concealed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śābdī Prahelikā (Verbal Riddle) — lakṣaṇa and scope","lookup_keywords":["śābdī","prahelikā","gūḍhārtha","vākya-aṅga-gūpti","abhidhā-vyavaccheda"],"quick_summary":"A śābdī prahelikā is a riddle grounded in word-apprehension where some sentence-member is hidden, forcing inference of an intended meaning that is not the literal/primary sense."}
Alamkara Type: Prahelikā (riddle; śābdī subtype)
Concept: Meaning can be intended yet non-literal; comprehension may require inference when linguistic elements are concealed.
Application: Use in pedagogy of poetics/semantics: train students to distinguish literal sense from suggested/intended sense and to solve riddles by contextual inference.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya, Alankara, and Shabda-vidya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned poet presents a riddle: part of a written sentence is covered, while listeners infer the hidden intended meaning from the remaining words.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, scholarly sabhā scene, palm-leaf manuscript with one line partially covered, attentive listeners with expressive eyes, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition, emphasis on gesture of concealment and inference","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate courtly sabhā with gold-leaf highlights, poet holding stylus and palm-leaf, a cloth covering a portion of the text, listeners pointing as they infer meaning, rich jewelry and architectural frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: sentence written on a board with a missing segment, teacher indicating hidden vākya-aṅga, students contemplating, delicate lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate literary gathering, calligraphed strip with a concealed word, subtle expressions of puzzlement and delight, fine detailing of textiles and manuscripts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Vācaspati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शब्दावबोधतः = शब्द-अवबोधतः; गुप्तेऽपि = गुप्ते अपि; वाक्याङ्गे = वाक्य-अङ्गे; भाव्यर्थोऽपारमार्थिकः = भावि-अर्थः अपारमार्थिकः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (Prahelikā/Gūḍha/Datta classifications)
FAQs
It teaches a technical category in Sanskrit poetics: the “śābdī prahelikā,” a verbal riddle where some sentence-element is hidden and the reader must infer an intended, non-literal meaning.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also codifies literary and linguistic theory; this verse is part of its kavya-śāstra material, defining riddle-types and principles of implied meaning (non-literal semantics).
Indirectly, it supports dharmic learning: training in śāstra and refined comprehension (buddhi) through disciplined interpretation of language—an aid to studying sacred texts where implied meanings are common.