Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
अपारे काव्यसंसारे कविरेव प्रजापतिः यथा वै रोचते विश्वं तथेदं परिवर्तते
apāre kāvyasaṃsāre kavireva prajāpatiḥ yathā vai rocate viśvaṃ tathedaṃ parivartate
അപരമായ കാവ്യസംസാരത്തിൽ കവിയേ പ്രജാപതിയെപ്പോലെ സ്രഷ്ടാവ്. അവന് ലോകം എങ്ങനെ രുചിക്കുന്നുവോ, അതുപോലെ ഈ (കാവ്യലോകം) രൂപാന്തരപ്പെട്ടു നിർമ്മിതമാകുന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating the Sahitya-shastra section to sage Vashistha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Poetics of authorship: empowers the poet as world-maker; used in literary criticism to justify creative freedom, selection, and transformation (kavi-pratibhā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kavi as Prajāpati (Pratibhā and Sṛṣṭi in Kavya)","lookup_keywords":["kavi","prajāpati","pratibhā","kāvya-saṃsāra","sṛṣṭi"],"quick_summary":"Declares the poet the creator within the limitless realm of poetry: the poetic universe is shaped according to the poet’s vision and delight."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Creative cognition: the poet’s imagination functions as a generative principle, ordering experience into a meaningful aesthetic world.
Application: In composition, consciously choose the ‘laws’ of your poetic universe—tone, imagery, moral horizon, and rasa-dominance—then keep internal consistency.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya & Alankara—Sanskrit poetics and literary theory)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet seated like a creator, with a manuscript unfolding into a miniature cosmos—mountains, rivers, cities, lovers, warriors—forming as he writes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: poet-sage with stylus; from palm-leaf manuscript emerges a layered cosmic tableau; stylized clouds and lotuses; Sanskrit labels ‘kaviḥ prajāpatiḥ’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central poet with gold halo; manuscript radiating gold filigree that becomes a world-scene; jewel-toned vignettes around; embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined linework showing sequential transformation—blank page → sketched world → fully colored poetic universe; instructional panels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier with poet; delicate landscape and cityscape flowing from the page; patrons watching; intricate borders and calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काव्यसंसारे = काव्य-संसारे; कविरेव = कविः + एव; तथेदं = तथा + इदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 338 (kavya-lakshana and rasa as essence)
FAQs
This verse imparts Sahitya-shastra (kavya-vidya): the technical principle that the poet functions as a ‘creator’ within the poetic universe, shaping the work according to aesthetic intention (rocana) and imaginative design.
By presenting a compact doctrine of literary theory—equating poetic authorship with cosmic creation—it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond ritual and dharma into systematic arts education (Sahitya/Alankara-shastra), a hallmark of its encyclopedic character.
Spiritually, it frames creative speech as a responsible, world-forming power: the poet’s intention molds meaning and values, implying that disciplined, dharmic artistry refines the mind and can support sattvic cultivation through elevating rasa and thought.