Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 2
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
लीला विलासो विछित्तिर्विभ्रमं किलकिञ्चितं मोट्टायितं कुट्टमितं विव्वोको ललितन्तथा
līlā vilāso vichittirvibhramaṃ kilakiñcitaṃ moṭṭāyitaṃ kuṭṭamitaṃ vivvoko lalitantathā
ਲੀਲਾ, ਵਿਲਾਸ, ਵਿਚ੍ਛਿੱਤਿ, ਵਿਭ੍ਰਮ, ਕਿਲਕਿਞਚਿਤ, ਮੋੱਟਾਯਿਤ, ਕੁੱਟਮਿਤ, ਵਿਵ੍ਵੋਕ ਅਤੇ ਲਲਿਤ—ਇਹ (ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਦੇ) ਸੁਖਮ ਸ਼੍ਰਿੰਗਾਰ-ਅਭਿਵ੍ਯਕਤੀ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ-ਰੂਪ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s standard instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Natya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Catalog of refined expressive modes (especially śṛṅgāra-oriented feminine graces) used by dancers/actors to convey nuanced emotion through gesture, glance, and body-sway.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Līlā-ādi: refined feminine/śṛṅgāra expressions (aṅgahāra/anubhāva set)","lookup_keywords":["līlā","vilāsa","vicchitti","vibhrama","kilakiñcita"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates named modes of delicate expressive behavior—play, dalliance, charming variety, coquettish feint, amorous tremor, dainty arching, bashful sulk, suggestive sidelong glance, and delicate grace—used in performance to render śṛṅgāra with precision."}
Concept: Bhāva-to-anubhāva mapping: subtle inner emotion is made legible through codified outward signs.
Application: Actor/dancer training: drill each named expression with consistent eye-line, neck movement, and torso rhythm to reliably evoke śṛṅgāra.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya–Natyashastra: gestures and graceful expressions / anubhavas)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A classical dancer demonstrates a sequence of nine delicate expressions—playful sport, dalliance, coquettish feint, tremor, arching sway, bashful sulk, sidelong glance—each shown as a vignette with distinct eye and hand positions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nine-panel vignette of a dancer in śṛṅgāra mood, stylized eyes and eyebrows emphasized, rich reds/ochres, temple performance setting, clear gesture silhouettes","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, dancer adorned with gold jewelry and silk, gold-leaf highlights on eyes/ornaments, multiple small panels showing each expression, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional elegance: dancer shown in successive poses with refined facial expression, soft colors, precise hand and eye detailing for each named mode","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly dancer in different poses across a page, delicate facial nuance and textiles, attendants and musicians, emphasis on sidelong glance and subtle sway"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vichittirvibhramaṃ = vichittiḥ + vibhramam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (aṅga-karman and ceṣṭā-bheda lists continuing)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya–Natyashastra technical vocabulary: a catalog of named graceful expressions/gestures (ceṣṭā/anubhāva) such as līlā, vilāsa, vibhrama, and kilakiñcita used in poetry and dramaturgy to convey śṛṅgāra (erotic/pleasant) mood.
By preserving specialized dramaturgical and poetic terminology alongside other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—here mapping refined emotional-expression categories used by poets, actors, and aestheticians.
Indirectly, it refines dharmic culture through disciplined aesthetic expression—supporting sāttvika refinement (cultivation of mind and emotion) and correct communication of rasa in sacred and classical arts.