Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 344: Ornaments of Word-and-Meaning (शब्दार्थालङ्काराः)
अपह्नुतिरपह्नुत्य किञ्चिदन्यार्थसूचनम् पर्यायोक्तं यदन्येन प्रकारेनाभिधीयते एषामेकंतमस्येव समाख्या ध्वनिरित्यतः
apahnutirapahnutya kiñcidanyārthasūcanam paryāyoktaṃ yadanyena prakārenābhidhīyate eṣāmekaṃtamasyeva samākhyā dhvanirityataḥ
「apahnuti（アパフヌティ、隠蔽・仮装の否定）」とは、否定によって別の意味を間接に示唆するものである。「paryāyokta（パリヤーヨークタ）」とは、別の仕方で言い表すこと（代替的な言い回し）である。ゆえに、これらのうち少なくとも一つには「dhvani（ドゥヴァニ、暗示）」の名が当てられる。いずれも暗示によって働くからである。
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Classifying figures like apahnuti and paryāyokta under dhvani when they function by indirect suggestion; helps poets choose devices that imply rather than state.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Apahnuti and Paryāyokta as Dhvani-Functioning Figures","lookup_keywords":["apahnuti","paryāyokta","dhvani","anyārtha-sūcana","apahnutyā"],"quick_summary":"Apahnuti suggests another meaning through feigned denial; paryāyokta states the same sense by an alternative mode. At least one among such figures is designated dhvani because suggestion is operative."}
Alamkara Type: Apahnuti; Paryāyokta (linked to dhvani)
Concept: Negation and alternative expression can be epistemic tools: by denying one surface claim, a deeper intended meaning is revealed.
Application: In rhetoric and composition, use strategic denial or rephrasing to imply delicate meanings (praise, blame, irony) without explicit statement.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara and Dhvani theory)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A speaker gestures ‘no, not that’ while subtly pointing to the real object; two layers are shown—denied surface and suggested truth—like a veil being lifted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic hand gesture of denial (apahnuti) with a veiled second image emerging behind, warm tones, stylized eyes indicating shared understanding, temple-hall setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf veil motif partially lifted to reveal the suggested meaning, central figure making a negating gesture, ornate borders, rich devotional palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional split-panel: left ‘denial’ statement, right ‘suggested’ meaning, fine lines and clear iconographic symbols, calm scholarly setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, witty salon scene: courtier denies praise while offering it indirectly, layered expressions on faces, intricate textiles, subtle visual metaphor of a curtain revealing truth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अपह्नुतिः+अपह्नुत्य→अपह्नुतिरपह्नुत्य; किञ्चित्+अन्यार्थसूचनम्→किञ्चिदन्यार्थसूचनम्; पर्यायोक्तम्+यत्→पर्यायोक्तं यत्; यत्+अन्येन→यदन्येन; प्रकारेण+अभिधीयते→प्रकारेनाभिधीयते; एषाम्+एकतमस्य+इव→एषामेकतमस्येव; ध्वनिः+इति+अतः→ध्वनिरित्यतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 344.14 (dhani/dhvani definition); Agni Purana 344.16-344.17 (ākṣepa, samāsokti)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-vidya (Sanskrit poetics): defining apahnuti and paryāyokta as modes that operate through anyārtha-sūcanā (suggestion of an implied meaning), aligning them with dhvani.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana systematizes kavya-shastra—classifying figures of speech and the mechanism of implied meaning (dhvani), showing its coverage of advanced literary theory alongside other sciences.
While not a ritual injunction, it refines right understanding of sacred and poetic language—training discernment (viveka) of implied sense, which supports accurate comprehension of dharmic teachings conveyed through layered expression.