Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 23
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
एवं सत्प्रतिपक्षत्वं कालातीतत्वसङ्करः पक्षे सपक्षेनास्तितत्वं विपक्षे ऽस्तित्वमेव तत्
evaṃ satpratipakṣatvaṃ kālātītatvasaṅkaraḥ pakṣe sapakṣenāstitatvaṃ vipakṣe 'stitvameva tat
Так, порок, называемый «наличием действительного контр-оппонента»,— смешение, связанное с тем, что (основание) выходит за пределы времени (kālātīta),— состоит в следующем: в тезисе (pakṣa) оно устанавливается как существующее вместе с однородными примерами (sapakṣa), и в контртезисе (vipakṣa) оно также устанавливается как существующее (там же).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Advanced debate: recognizing the fallacy where a reason is shared by both sides (satpratipakṣa), including confusions about temporal qualification, preventing stalemated or self-defeating proofs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Satpratipakṣa (Valid Counter-reason) and Kāla-atīta Saṅkara","lookup_keywords":["satpratipakṣa","pratipakṣa","kāla-atīta","saṅkara","hetvābhāsa"],"quick_summary":"A reason becomes fallacious when an equally valid counter-reason exists—often due to mixing temporal conditions—so the hetu appears in both supporting and opposing cases, neutralizing proof."}
Concept: A reason must be asymmetrically tied to the thesis; if it is equally established in the opponent’s position (especially by ignoring time/condition qualifiers), it collapses into satpratipakṣa.
Application: In constructing inference, explicitly state limiting conditions (kāla, deśa, avasthā) and verify vyāpti: the hetu should be present in sapakṣa and absent in vipakṣa; if it appears in both, refine the hetu or abandon the proof.
Khanda Section: Nyaya–Tarka (Logic and Debate; Hetu-vidya / Vada-vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two debaters present mirrored arguments; a central diagram shows the same hetu appearing in both sapakṣa and vipakṣa, with a clock symbol indicating temporal confusion (kāla-atīta).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical debate scene with two opposing scholars, central circular mandala-like chart showing sapakṣa/vipakṣa, a stylized time-wheel motif, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embellished central time-wheel and two balanced panels for pro and con, ornate sabhā setting, inscriptions for satpratipakṣa and kāla-atīta","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional infographic: Venn-like overlap of hetu in both sides, neat callouts for pakṣa/sapakṣa/vipakṣa, calm classroom setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined scholarly disputation, a scribe draws a diagram of overlapping cases, delicate clock/time motif in margin, architectural depth and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"analytical","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: satpratipakṣatvaṃ = sat + pratipakṣatvam; kālātītatvasaṅkaraḥ = kāla + atītatva + saṅkaraḥ; sapakṣenāstitatvaṃ = sapakṣena + astitatvam; vipakṣe 'stitvam = vipakṣe + astitvam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346 (Nyaya/Tarka: pratipakṣa, nigrahasthāna, hetvābhāsa elaborations)
FAQs
It teaches a Nyāya/Tarka diagnostic: a debate-fault where the same ‘existence’ of the reason/property is shown in both the proponent’s side (with sapakṣa) and the opponent’s side (vipakṣa), undermining decisive inference.
Beyond ritual and mythology, the Agni Purana also preserves technical śāstric material—here, formal logic and debate theory—showing its wide scope across disciplines like Nyāya, grammar, polity, medicine, and poetics.
By discouraging faulty reasoning and teaching clarity in inference, it supports satya (truthfulness) and right understanding, which traditional dharma literature treats as purifying and conducive to righteous conduct.