Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 4
Nāṭaka-nirūpaṇam
Exposition of Drama / Dramatic Genres and Plot-Structure
उल्लाप्यकं प्रेङ्क्षणञ्च सप्तविंशतिरेव तत् सामान्यञ्च विशेषश् च लक्षणस्य द्वयी गतिः
ullāpyakaṃ preṅkṣaṇañca saptaviṃśatireva tat sāmānyañca viśeṣaś ca lakṣaṇasya dvayī gatiḥ
ਉੱਲਾਪ੍ਯਕ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੇੰਕ੍ਸ਼ਣ—ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕੁੱਲ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਸਤਾਈ ਹੀ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ। ਅਤੇ ਲਕ੍ਸ਼ਣਾ (ਸੂਚਿਤ ਅਰਥ) ਦੀ ਗਤੀ ਦੋ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਹੈ—ਸਾਮਾਨ੍ਯ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Completing the count of recognized forms and introducing a key semantic doctrine—twofold lakṣaṇā—used in interpretation, commentary, and performance delivery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇā (secondary meaning): Sāmānya and Viśeṣa; completion of 27 forms","lookup_keywords":["lakṣaṇā","sāmānya","viśeṣa","ullāpyaka","preṅkṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The enumeration reaches twenty-seven with ullāpyaka and preṅkṣaṇa. Lakṣaṇā (indicative/secondary meaning) is taught as twofold—general and particular—supporting precise interpretation of poetic and dramatic language."}
Concept: Meaning operates beyond the literal through structured secondary signification; interpretive discipline is part of śāstra.
Application: Useful for commentators, translators, actors, and directors to decide when a line should be taken indicatively and whether the indication is generic or specific.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara & Lakshana: Sanskrit poetics/definitions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher draws two branches on a board labeled sāmānya and viśeṣa under 'lakṣaṇā', while a manuscript margin shows the final two forms ullāpyaka and preṅkṣaṇa completing the count of twenty-seven.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guru with stylus and palm-leaf, diagram of twofold lakṣaṇā, students attentive; decorative borders with the words 'sāmānya' and 'viśeṣa' in stylized script","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central acharya with gold halo, holding a manuscript titled 'Lakṣaṇā', two gold-embossed panels labeled sāmānya/viśeṣa, ornate frame and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: pedagogical scene with clear diagrammatic labels, manuscript showing '27' completion, soft palette and fine detailing of writing tools","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly lesson in a library, a chart of twofold lakṣaṇā on paper, scribes annotating margins with ullāpyaka/preṅkṣaṇa, intricate shelves and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: preṅkṣaṇañca = preṅkṣaṇam + ca; sāmānyañca = sāmānyam + ca; viśeṣaś ca = viśeṣaḥ + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Adhyaya 337 (Nāṭaka-nirūpaṇa, genre count); Agni Purana Adhyaya 336 (Alaṅkāra and kāvya-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
This verse imparts Sahitya-shastra (Sanskrit poetics) knowledge: it classifies lakṣaṇā (indicative/secondary meaning) as having two modes—general (sāmānya) and particular (viśeṣa)—and notes a traditional total of twenty-seven sub-types, including ‘ullāpyaka’ and ‘preṅkṣaṇa’.
By cataloging technical categories of meaning used in Sanskrit literary theory, the Agni Purana demonstrates that it is not only a religious text but also a compendium covering disciplines like semantics, rhetoric, and poetics—alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and architecture.
While not a ritual injunction, the instruction supports dharmic cultivation through refined speech and correct interpretation of sacred and literary language; clarity in meaning (including lakṣaṇā) aids accurate understanding of teachings and thus supports right conduct.