Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 27
Explanation of Abhinaya and Related Topics (अभिनयादिनिरूपणम्) — Agni Purana, Chapter 341
उक्तिः सा कथ्यते यस्यामर्थको ऽप्युपपत्तिमान् लोकयात्रार्थविधिना धिनोति हृदयं सतां
uktiḥ sā kathyate yasyāmarthako 'pyupapattimān lokayātrārthavidhinā dhinoti hṛdayaṃ satāṃ
ਜਿਸ ਉਕਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੋਕ-ਵਿਹਾਰ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਅਭਿਵ੍ਯਕਤੀ ਦੀ ਰੀਤ ਨਾਲ, ਤਰਕਸੰਗਤ ਸਧਾਰਣ ਅਰਥ ਵੀ ਸੱਜਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਮੋਹ ਲਵੇ—ਉਹ ‘ਉਕਤੀ’ ਕਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teaching)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"To craft 'ukti'—speech that makes even ordinary meaning compelling—by combining sound reasoning with a worldly, communicative style that wins over refined listeners.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ukti (apt utterance that captivates)","lookup_keywords":["ukti","upapatti","lokayatra","hridaya-harana","satam"],"quick_summary":"Ukti is that expression where even a commonplace idea, supported by reasoning and conveyed in a manner fit for worldly communication, captivates the hearts of discerning people."}
Alamkara Type: Ukti (quality of expression; guṇa-oriented)
Concept: The power of speech lies in coherence (upapatti) and appropriate communicative mode (lokayātrā), not merely in novelty of content.
Application: For teaching, counsel, or poetry: take a simple truth, support it with a clear rationale, and phrase it in familiar idiom to move refined audiences.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra / Alaṅkāra-śāstra: definitions of poetic expression)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-poet addresses an assembly: he takes a simple everyday example and, through clear reasoning and relatable phrasing, visibly moves the hearts of cultured listeners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sabhā scene with poet-teacher gesturing, listeners with softened attentive expressions, palm-leaf manuscript, visual motif of a heart-lotus opening, warm traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, orator-poet on a dais, gold accents on halo-like backdrop, audience of learned elders, decorative script panel showing a simple maxim turned elegant","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, classroom-like setting, poet demonstrating a simple statement then its refined ukti version on a board/manuscript, fine lines and calm colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly gathering, speaker presenting a reasoned aphorism, audience nodding, detailed architecture and textiles, calligraphy cartouche with the key line"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उक्तिः सा = उक्तिः सा; अर्थकोऽपि = अर्थकः अपि; अप्युपपत्तिमान् = अपि उपपत्ति-मान्; लोकयात्रार्थविधिना = लोक-यात्रा-अर्थ-विधिना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 341.24-341.26 (register imitation and mudrā as meaning-cue)
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra knowledge: the technical definition of ‘ukti’—speech whose logically fitting meaning, expressed in a worldly-appropriate style, delights discerning listeners.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves Sanskrit literary theory; this verse functions like a textbook sūtra defining a poetic category (ukti) and its aesthetic criterion (winning the hearts of satāṃ).
It elevates speech-ethics and refined expression: truthful, well-reasoned, socially appropriate speech that pleases the virtuous is treated as a mark of sādhutā (cultured goodness) and supports dharmic conduct.