Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 344: Ornaments of Word-and-Meaning (शब्दार्थालङ्काराः)
अपह्नुतिरपह्नुत्य किञ्चिदन्यार्थसूचनम् पर्यायोक्तं यदन्येन प्रकारेनाभिधीयते एषामेकंतमस्येव समाख्या ध्वनिरित्यतः
apahnutirapahnutya kiñcidanyārthasūcanam paryāyoktaṃ yadanyena prakārenābhidhīyate eṣāmekaṃtamasyeva samākhyā dhvanirityataḥ
‘ଅପହ୍ନୁତି’ ଅର୍ଥ—ନାକାର/ଲୁଚାଇବା ଦ୍ୱାରା ଅନ୍ୟ ଅର୍ଥକୁ ପରୋକ୍ଷରେ ସୂଚନ କରିବା। ‘ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟୋକ୍ତ’ ଅର୍ଥ—ଯାହା ଅନ୍ୟ ପ୍ରକାରରେ କୁହାଯାଏ। ତେଣୁ ଏମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ କମେ କମେ ଗୋଟିଏରେ ବ୍ୟଞ୍ଜନା (ସୂଚନା) କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରୁଥିବାରୁ ‘ଧ୍ୱନି’ ନାମ ଯୋଗ୍ୟ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Classifying figures like apahnuti and paryāyokta under dhvani when they function by indirect suggestion; helps poets choose devices that imply rather than state.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Apahnuti and Paryāyokta as Dhvani-Functioning Figures","lookup_keywords":["apahnuti","paryāyokta","dhvani","anyārtha-sūcana","apahnutyā"],"quick_summary":"Apahnuti suggests another meaning through feigned denial; paryāyokta states the same sense by an alternative mode. At least one among such figures is designated dhvani because suggestion is operative."}
Alamkara Type: Apahnuti; Paryāyokta (linked to dhvani)
Concept: Negation and alternative expression can be epistemic tools: by denying one surface claim, a deeper intended meaning is revealed.
Application: In rhetoric and composition, use strategic denial or rephrasing to imply delicate meanings (praise, blame, irony) without explicit statement.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara and Dhvani theory)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A speaker gestures ‘no, not that’ while subtly pointing to the real object; two layers are shown—denied surface and suggested truth—like a veil being lifted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic hand gesture of denial (apahnuti) with a veiled second image emerging behind, warm tones, stylized eyes indicating shared understanding, temple-hall setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf veil motif partially lifted to reveal the suggested meaning, central figure making a negating gesture, ornate borders, rich devotional palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional split-panel: left ‘denial’ statement, right ‘suggested’ meaning, fine lines and clear iconographic symbols, calm scholarly setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, witty salon scene: courtier denies praise while offering it indirectly, layered expressions on faces, intricate textiles, subtle visual metaphor of a curtain revealing truth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अपह्नुतिः+अपह्नुत्य→अपह्नुतिरपह्नुत्य; किञ्चित्+अन्यार्थसूचनम्→किञ्चिदन्यार्थसूचनम्; पर्यायोक्तम्+यत्→पर्यायोक्तं यत्; यत्+अन्येन→यदन्येन; प्रकारेण+अभिधीयते→प्रकारेनाभिधीयते; एषाम्+एकतमस्य+इव→एषामेकतमस्येव; ध्वनिः+इति+अतः→ध्वनिरित्यतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 344.14 (dhani/dhvani definition); Agni Purana 344.16-344.17 (ākṣepa, samāsokti)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-vidya (Sanskrit poetics): defining apahnuti and paryāyokta as modes that operate through anyārtha-sūcanā (suggestion of an implied meaning), aligning them with dhvani.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana systematizes kavya-shastra—classifying figures of speech and the mechanism of implied meaning (dhvani), showing its coverage of advanced literary theory alongside other sciences.
While not a ritual injunction, it refines right understanding of sacred and poetic language—training discernment (viveka) of implied sense, which supports accurate comprehension of dharmic teachings conveyed through layered expression.