Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 15
Explanation of Abhinaya and Related Topics (अभिनयादिनिरूपणम्) — Agni Purana, Chapter 341
आरम्भेषु भवेद्यत्र वीरमेवानुवर्तते भयानको नाम रसस्तस्य निर्वर्तकं भयं
ārambheṣu bhavedyatra vīramevānuvartate bhayānako nāma rasastasya nirvartakaṃ bhayaṃ
រស (rasa) ដែលកើតឡើងក្នុងការចាប់ផ្តើមអំពើគួរភ័យ ហើយមានអារម្មណ៍វីរៈ (vīra) ប្រកបជាពិសេស ត្រូវហៅថា ភយានក-រស (Bhayānaka-rasa); ធាតុកំណត់ដែលបង្កើតវាគឺ ភ័យ។
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic śāstra-topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Rasa-identification for drama/poetry: distinguish Bhayānaka as fear-driven mood occurring in perilous enterprises while vīra remains the accompanying sentiment; useful for scene design and actor direction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Bhayānaka-rasa: Determinant and Context","lookup_keywords":["bhayānaka-rasa","vīra-anuvṛtti","ārambha","bhaya","rasa-nirūpaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Bhayānaka is the rasa arising in frightening undertakings, with vīra as the accompanying current; its key determinant (vibhāva) is fear."}
Concept: Aesthetic taxonomy: a rasa is defined by its situational arising and its determinant; mixed coloration (vīra accompanying bhayānaka) is acknowledged.
Application: In composition/performance, set vibhāvas that evoke fear (darkness, threat, uncertainty) while directing the hero’s stance to retain vīra (steadfast speech, controlled movement).
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya–Rasa theory / Alankara-shastra)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A perilous undertaking at night—stormy sky, looming threat—where the protagonist advances with heroic composure while fear pervades the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal forest/fort setting, bold outlines, expressive eyes showing fear in attendants, central hero calm and upright; dramatic contrasts with traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted armor and ornaments, central hero with steady gaze, surrounding fearful figures and ominous motifs (dark clouds, serpents); embossed gold for weapons/lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined shading: staged theatrical scene with clear gestures—trembling side characters, hero’s controlled mudrā; minimal background, focus on expression.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed night raid or tense court intrigue; lantern light, architectural depth, subtle facial fear, hero poised; fine brushwork and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेद्यत्र → भवेत् यत्र; वीरमेवानुवर्तते → वीरम् एव अनुवर्तते; रसस्तस्य → रसः तस्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rasa-nirūpaṇa sequence (definitions of rasas and their vibhāvas/anubhāvas); Agni Purana: Natya-related guidance on bhāvas and performance
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra (rasa-vidyā): Bhayānaka-rasa is defined and its generating cause (nirvartaka) is identified as bhaya—fear—arising in situations of perilous action, with an accompaniment of vīra.
Beyond mythology and ritual, the Agni Purana systematically includes literary theory—formal definitions of rasas and their causes—showing it functions as a multi-disciplinary compendium (poetics alongside dharma, polity, medicine, etc.).
By clarifying how fear and heroism are aesthetically transformed into rasa, it supports disciplined emotional understanding (bhāva-niyama) and cultivated discernment, aligning art and mind with sattvic clarity rather than uncontrolled terror.