Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 11
Arthālaṅkāras (Ornaments of Meaning): Definitions, Taxonomy, and the Centrality of Upamā
तुल्यमेवोपमीयेते यत्रान्योन्येन धर्मिणौ परस्परोपमा सा स्यात् प्रसिद्धेरन्यथा तयोः
tulyamevopamīyete yatrānyonyena dharmiṇau parasparopamā sā syāt prasiddheranyathā tayoḥ
ਜਿੱਥੇ ਸਮਾਨ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੋ ਆਧਾਰ ਇਕ-ਦੂਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਾਨ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਪਰਸਪਰ ਉਪਮਾਨ ਬਣਨ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ‘ਪਰਸਪਰੋਪਮਾ’ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ; ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਦੋਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੋ ਵਧੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਸਿੱਧ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਹੀ ਉਪਮਾਨ (ਮਾਪਦੰਡ) ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"To classify and craft reciprocal comparisons in kavya by deciding whether both terms can serve as upamana/upameya, or else choosing the culturally ‘prasiddha’ standard as upamana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Parasparopamā (Reciprocal Simile) and Prasiddhi-based Standard","lookup_keywords":["parasparopamā","upamā","prasiddhi","upamāna-upameya","mutual simile"],"quick_summary":"If two dharmins are mutually compared as equally similar to each other, it is parasparopamā. If not truly reciprocal, the more well-known entity functions as the standard (upamāna) by prasiddhi."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (Parasparopamā)
Concept: Prasiddhi (socially established cognition) governs linguistic choice when reciprocity is not viable.
Application: In writing and commentary, select the culturally dominant exemplar as upamāna to avoid awkward or forced reciprocity.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara-shastra / Kavya-shastra: Upama—simile and comparative poetics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned poet-teacher points to two objects on a palm-leaf diagram, showing arrows both ways to indicate mutual comparison; beside it, a single arrow indicates prasiddhi-based standard comparison.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a seated guru with palm-leaf manuscript teaching two disciples, two symbolic objects (lotus and moon) connected by double-headed arrows, ornate borders, flat perspective, traditional jewelry and textiles.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on manuscript and ornaments, a scholar in a mandapa demonstrating reciprocal simile with two emblematic motifs (lotus and moon) framed in gilded arch, rich reds and greens, embossed detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading, instructional tableau with labeled upamāna/upameya on a board, double-arrow for parasparopamā and single-arrow for prasiddhi, calm classroom setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier scene with a poet and scribe, delicate margins, two objects compared with mirrored captions, subtle gestures indicating mutuality, detailed textiles and architectural niche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुल्यमेवोपमीयेते = तुल्यम् + एव + उपमीयेते; यत्रान्योन्येन = यत्र + अन्योन्येन; परस्परोपमा = परस्पर + उपमा; प्रसिद्धेरन्यथा = प्रसिद्धेः + अन्यथा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 343 (Upamā-prakaraṇa: general upamā-lakṣaṇa and bhedas)
FAQs
It imparts technical kavya-śāstra knowledge: the definition of parasparopamā (reciprocal simile), and the rule that when reciprocity is absent, the more ‘prasiddha’ (commonly established) term functions as the standard of comparison.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana systematizes literary theory (alaṅkāra-śāstra). This verse shows the text teaching precise classificatory rules for figures of speech, reflecting its encyclopedic coverage of Sanskrit intellectual disciplines.
Its significance is indirect: mastering disciplined speech and literary discernment supports satya (truthful, precise expression) and refined understanding of śāstra, which traditional Hindu learning treats as meritorious when pursued with right intent.