Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 21
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
यथासङ्ख्यमनुद्देशः सामन्यमतिदिश्यते समये वर्णनीयस्य दारुणस्यापि वस्तुनः
yathāsaṅkhyamanuddeśaḥ sāmanyamatidiśyate samaye varṇanīyasya dāruṇasyāpi vastunaḥ
ವರ್ಣಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ವಿಷಯ ಕಠೋರವಾಗಲಿ ಭಯಾನಕವಾಗಲಿ, ಸಮಯಾನುಸಾರ ಯಥಾಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಸೂಚಿಸುವುದು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ನಿಯಮವೆಂದು ವಿಧಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Guideline for structuring descriptions in poetry/prose: present details in a clear, sequential order even when depicting frightening/violent subject matter, so the audience comprehends without confusion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Yathāsaṅkhyānudeśa (Sequential Indication) as a General Rule","lookup_keywords":["yathāsaṅkhya","anuddeśa","krama","varṇanīya","dāruṇa-vastu"],"quick_summary":"Maintain orderly sequence (krama) in description as a general compositional rule. Even dreadful themes should be narrated step-by-step for clarity and aesthetic control."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama/Yathāsaṅkhya (ordering principle; often treated under guṇa-doṣa and varṇana-krama)
Concept: Knowledge becomes communicable through ordered presentation; even intense content requires disciplined structure.
Application: Use sequential outlining in teaching, narration, and technical writing to prevent cognitive overload and preserve intended effect.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara—technical rules of composition and description)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet-teacher points to a palm-leaf manuscript with numbered steps, while a dramatic scene of a dreadful event is shown in the background being narrated in orderly panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, guru-poet seated with palm-leaf manuscript, sequential panels depicting a fearful episode, earthy reds and greens, clear panel order, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, poet-sage with manuscript and stylus, gold-leaf highlights on borders, background showing a dreadful scene arranged in neat registers, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition scene, labeled sequence marks on manuscript, soft shading, delicate lines, background vignette of bhayānaka subject rendered with restraint","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court poet demonstrating ordered narration, marginal numbered cartouches, a harsh event depicted in small sequential frames, fine detailing and muted palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yathāsaṅkhyam = yathā + saṅkhyam (avyayībhāva); sāmanyam-atidiśyate = sāmānyam + atidiśyate; dāruṇasya-api = dāruṇasya + api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra sections on guṇa-doṣa, aucitya, varṇana-krama (near 345.21–345.24)
FAQs
It teaches a technical kavya-shastra rule: when describing any subject—even frightening or intense themes—the poet should present details in a properly ordered sequence (yathāsaṅkhyam) as a general compositional norm.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also systematizes literary theory; this verse preserves a formal rule of Sanskrit composition (ordered enumeration/indication), showing the text’s coverage of arts and scholarly disciplines alongside religious instruction.
By promoting disciplined, truthful, and well-ordered speech, it supports sattvic communication—reducing confusion and harm—so even difficult subjects are conveyed responsibly and with restraint.