Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 13
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
क्रोधेर्ष्याकारगाम्भीर्यात्माधुर्यं धैर्यगाहिता सम्बिधानं परिकरः स्यादपेक्षितसिद्धये
krodherṣyākāragāmbhīryātmādhuryaṃ dhairyagāhitā sambidhānaṃ parikaraḥ syādapekṣitasiddhaye
क्रोध-ईर्ष्या, बाह्य वर्तनातील गांभीर्य, अंतर्माधुर्य, अढळ धैर्य आणि सुबद्ध तयारी—हे अपेक्षित सिद्धीसाठी सहाय्यक ‘परिकर’ होत.
Lord Agni (narrating the śāstric material to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Natya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Character-crafting and dramaturgical planning: use the listed traits as ‘supporting equipment’ (parikara) to drive plot success—especially for heroic, political, or competitive situations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Parikara for Intended Success (Apekṣita-siddhi)","lookup_keywords":["parikara","krodha","īrṣyā","gāmbhīrya","dhairya","sambidhāna"],"quick_summary":"A set of supportive traits—anger/jealousy, controlled outward bearing, depth, inner sweetness, steadfastness, and careful preparation—functions as parikara enabling the intended accomplishment in narrative or drama."}
Concept: Siddhi requires a calibrated mix of emotion, composure, depth, sweetness, firmness, and preparation—inner/outer alignment as a means to success.
Application: For performance or leadership speech: show measured intensity (krodha/īrṣyā only as needed), maintain gāmbhīrya, keep inner mādhurya to avoid cruelty, and rely on sambidhāna + parikara (planning and resources).
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra: dramaturgy and poetics—character-types and their qualities)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramatist instructs an actor: the actor displays controlled posture and deep gaze (gāmbhīrya), while a small inset shows inner sweetness; nearby are scrolls and props symbolizing preparation (parikara).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stage-like setting with actor in stylized pose, guru directing, expressive eyes for krodha/īrṣyā restrained by dignified stance, props neatly arranged, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, theatrical court stage, richly dressed actor, gold-highlighted props representing parikara, dignified facial expression, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional acting lesson, sequential mini-panels showing each trait (krodha, īrṣyā, gāmbhīrya, mādhurya, dhairya, sambidhāna), fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace performance rehearsal, director-poet with manuscript, actor practicing expressions, attendants arranging costumes and instruments, detailed interior architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: krodherṣyākāragāmbhīryātmādhuryam is a multi-member compound; syādapekṣitasiddhaye = syāt + apekṣita-siddhaye.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya/Natya discussions on bhāva, rasa, and character-types (nearby Sahitya-shastra chapters)
FAQs
This verse imparts kavya-śāstra/naṭya-style technical guidance on the “parikara” (supporting set of traits)—a curated bundle of dispositions and preparations considered necessary to secure the intended outcome (apekṣita-siddhi) in action, leadership, or performance.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical disciplines like poetics and dramaturgy; here it preserves a compact “success toolkit” of behavioral and psychological qualities, showing the text’s encyclopedic reach into applied aesthetics and conduct.
By advocating controlled emotions, composure, and disciplined preparation, the verse implicitly promotes sattvic self-mastery—reducing impulsive karmic reactions and aligning effort with dharma to make success ethically grounded.