Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 11
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
उच्यमानस्य शब्देन येन केनापि वस्तुनः उत्कर्षमावहन्नर्थो गुण इत्य् अभिधीयते
ucyamānasya śabdena yena kenāpi vastunaḥ utkarṣamāvahannartho guṇa ity abhidhīyate
អត្ថន័យណាមួយ ដែលដោយសូម្បីតែពាក្យត្រូវបាននិយាយឡើង ក៏នាំមកនូវភាពលេចធ្លោឧត្តមដល់វត្ថុណាមួយ—មិនថាវត្ថុនោះជាអ្វីក៏ដោយ—ត្រូវបានហៅថា «គុណ» (guṇa) គឺគុណភាព/គុណសម្បត្តិ។
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing Vashistha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Kavya-criticism and composition: identify when a word-choice itself elevates (utkarsha) the described object; use as a criterion for revising diction and style.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Guṇa (Poetic Merit): Utkarṣa-āvaha Artha","lookup_keywords":["guṇa","utkarṣa","artha","śabda","kāvya-guṇa"],"quick_summary":"A guṇa is that meaning which, through the very uttered word, produces excellence in the object described. Use this as a test: does the chosen expression itself heighten the subject’s perceived value?"}
Concept: Language as a causal instrument of excellence: śabda, when properly chosen, makes artha appear elevated.
Application: In editing poetry/prose, replace neutral words with those whose connotation and sound naturally intensify the intended excellence without adding extra explanation.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara/Poetics and Linguistic Definitions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned poet-teacher points to a written verse; the same object is shown in two forms—ordinary and ‘elevated’—to illustrate how a single word-choice brings out excellence (utkarṣa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a guru in traditional attire teaching poetics, palm-leaf manuscript, two panels showing an object rendered plain vs radiant due to refined word-choice, ornate borders, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, seated scholar-guru holding manuscript, stylus and palm leaves, symbolic halo around the ‘elevated meaning’, rich reds and greens, temple-like arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional tableau of a classroom, chalkboard/palm-leaf with the term ‘guṇa’ and ‘utkarṣa’, subtle shading, calm scholarly atmosphere.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly literary salon, poet presenting a couplet to connoisseurs, marginal notes indicating ‘guṇa’, fine textiles, detailed architecture, subdued jewel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kenāpi = kena + api; utkarṣamāvahan(n) = utkarṣam + āvahan; ity = iti (before vowel); ucyamānasya is present passive participle (kṛdanta) in genitive singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra sections on guṇa-doṣa and rīti (nearby in the 340s); Agni Purana definitions of lakṣaṇa/alaṅkāra in the same khanda
FAQs
It imparts a technical definition from Sanskrit poetics/linguistics: a guṇa is a meaning-quality that, through the spoken word, elevates or enhances the excellence of the intended object or referent.
By giving formal lakṣaṇas (definitions) of aesthetic/linguistic categories like guṇa, the Agni Purana functions not only as a religious text but also as a compact handbook of śāstric knowledge, including literary theory (sāhitya-śāstra).
Indirectly, it refines sacred speech and right expression: understanding how words produce excellence supports disciplined, truthful, and effective recitation/teaching, which is traditionally linked with merit through proper use of vāṇī (speech).