Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Arthālaṅkāras (Ornaments of Meaning): Definitions, Taxonomy, and the Centrality of Upamā
उभयोर्धर्मिणोस्तथ्यानिश् चयात् संशयोपमा उपमेयस्य संशय्य निश् चयान्निश् चयोपमा
ubhayordharmiṇostathyāniś cayāt saṃśayopamā upameyasya saṃśayya niś cayānniś cayopamā
Apabila berdasarkan penentuan yang benar tentang sifat bersama pada kedua-duanya—objek yang dibandingkan (upameya) dan piawai perbandingan—namun keserupaan masih dipersembahkan sebagai meragukan, itu disebut “saṃśayopamā” (perumpamaan keraguan). Tetapi apabila objek yang dibandingkan itu sendiri diragui, namun keserupaan dinyatakan dengan kepastian, itu disebut “niścayopamā” (perumpamaan kepastian).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic teachings, here on Sanskrit poetics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Choose between saṃśayopamā and niścayopamā to control epistemic stance in poetry—either feigned doubt despite known similarity, or asserted certainty despite doubtful identity of the subject.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saṃśayopamā and Niścayopamā (Simile of Doubt / Simile of Certainty)","lookup_keywords":["saṃśayopamā","niścayopamā","dharma-niścaya","upameya-saṃśaya","upamā-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Saṃśayopamā presents likeness as doubtful even after real ascertainment of a shared attribute; niścayopamā asserts likeness with certainty even when the upameya itself is doubtful."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (Saṃśayopamā; Niścayopamā)
Concept: Separation of ontic status (what is) from rhetorical stance (how it is presented): poetry can ‘perform’ doubt or certainty to guide reader response.
Application: Use interrogatives/particles (kim, nūnam, iva) for saṃśaya; use decisive markers (eva, niścitam, khalu) for niścaya even amid identity-uncertainty.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara-shastra: Upama and allied poetic comparisons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split composition: one side shows a clearly shared attribute between two entities, yet a speech-scroll expresses doubt; the other side shows a hazy upameya silhouette, yet a bold inscription asserts certainty of likeness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel narrative: panel one with clear paired motifs and a questioning gesture, panel two with misty figure and decisive pointing, traditional cloud bands, expressive hand mudrās","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, symmetrical layout with gold borders: left ‘saṃśaya’ panel with questioning eyes, right ‘niścaya’ panel with firm gaze, ornate calligraphy-like captions, jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, pedagogic diagram aesthetic: arrows marking ‘dharma-niścaya’ and ‘upameya-saṃśaya’, soft washes, precise outlines, minimal background for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined courtly scene where observers debate identity (doubt) in one vignette and proclaim certainty in another, delicate gestures, architectural framing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उभयोर्धर्मिणोः = उभयोः + धर्मिणोः; तथ्यानिश्चयात् = तथ्य + अनिश्चयात्; संशयोपमा = संशय + उपमा; निश्चयान्निश्चयोपमा = निश्चयात् + निश्चयोपमा (त् + न् → न्न्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 343 (Upamā subtypes; surrounding definitions of upamā and its bhedas)
FAQs
It imparts technical knowledge of Sanskrit poetics (Alaṅkāra-śāstra), defining two subtypes of simile: saṃśayopamā (dubitative simile) and niścayopamā (certitude simile), based on whether doubt or certainty is expressed about the comparison or the subject.
By codifying precise rhetorical categories and their conditions (upameya/upamāna, dharma, saṃśaya, niścaya), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that includes not only ritual and dharma, but also systematic Sanskrit literary theory.
While primarily literary, the instruction supports dharmic communication: clear and properly qualified speech (distinguishing doubt from certainty) helps preserve truthfulness and right understanding, which are valued as meritorious disciplines in traditional learning.