Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 25
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
हारिद्रश् चैव कौसुम्भो नीली रागश् च स त्रिधा वैशेषिकः परिज्ञेयो यः स्वलक्षणगोचरः
hāridraś caiva kausumbho nīlī rāgaś ca sa tridhā vaiśeṣikaḥ parijñeyo yaḥ svalakṣaṇagocaraḥ
ಹಾರಿದ್ರ (ಅರಿಶಿನ-ಹಳದಿ), ಕೌಸುಂಭ (ಕುಸುಮ-ರಂಜಿತ), ನೀಲಿ—ರಾಗ (ಬಣ್ಣಿಸುವಿಕೆ) ಹೀಗೆ ತ್ರಿವಿಧ. ತನ್ನ ಸ್ವಲಕ್ಷಣದ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಗ್ರಹಿಸಲ್ಪಡುವುದನ್ನು ‘ವೈಶೇಷಿಕ’ (ವಿಶೇಷ-ಜ್ಞಾನ) ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕು।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Illustrate Vaiśeṣika’s focus on particulars (svalakṣaṇa) using the example of specific color-qualities; train precise cognition and categorization of attributes as distinct, knowable entities.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vaiśeṣika: Cognition of Particulars (Svalakṣaṇa) Illustrated via Color-Qualities","lookup_keywords":["vaiśeṣika","svalakṣaṇa","rāga (color)","haridra","nīlī"],"quick_summary":"Vaiśeṣika knowledge concerns what is grasped as a particular through its own defining mark (svalakṣaṇa). Color-qualities like yellow, saffron, and blue exemplify distinct, classifiable attributes."}
Concept: Epistemic focus on particulars apprehended via defining characteristics (svalakṣaṇa), aligning with Vaiśeṣika realism about qualities and categories.
Application: In reasoning and debate, distinguish universals from particulars; identify entities by their defining marks to avoid category errors.
Khanda Section: Darshana-shastra (Vaisheshika: categories and epistemology)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A philosopher-teacher demonstrates three dyed cloth samples—turmeric-yellow, saffron, and indigo-blue—while pointing to a diagram of ‘svalakṣaṇa’ and ‘viśeṣa’ on a board or manuscript.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar in traditional attire holding three colored cloths, palm-leaf manuscript with category diagram, subdued scholarly setting, earthy tones with vivid color swatches","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated ācārya with three color samples, gold borders framing a schematic of categories, rich pigments emphasizing yellow/saffron/blue","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with labeled color samples and a neat padārtha chart, fine linework, calm scholarly ambience","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like debate scene, philosopher presenting dyed textiles, marginal notes indicating svalakṣaṇa, intricate textiles and precise color rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hāridraś caiva = hāridraḥ + ca + eva (visarga sandhi); rāgaś ca = rāgaḥ + ca; svalakṣaṇagocaraḥ = sva + lakṣaṇa + gocaraḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Darśana sections summarizing Vaiśeṣika categories and pramāṇa (near 345.25)
FAQs
It teaches a Vaiśeṣika epistemic point: a ‘particular’ (viśeṣa) is known through its own defining characteristic (svalakṣaṇa), illustrated via specific colour-types (yellow, kusumbha/saffron, blue).
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also digests formal Indian philosophy; here it summarizes Vaiśeṣika-style classification and the idea that cognition targets object-specific marks (svalakṣaṇa).
By sharpening discrimination (viveka) between particulars and their defining marks, it supports right knowledge (samyag-jñāna), which traditional dharma texts treat as a foundation for correct action and reduction of error-driven karma.