Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
प्रत्यक्षतो विजानीयाद् भद्रतां क्षुद्रतामपि फलानुमेयाः सर्वत्र परोक्षगुणवृत्तयः
pratyakṣato vijānīyād bhadratāṃ kṣudratāmapi phalānumeyāḥ sarvatra parokṣaguṇavṛttayaḥ
प्रत्यक्षतो विजानीयाद् भद्रतां क्षुद्रतामपि। फलानुमेयाः सर्वत्र परोक्षगुणवृत्तयः॥
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"A critical method for literary and ethical evaluation: infer hidden qualities (paroksha-guna-vritti) from observable outcomes (phala), while also judging manifest excellence/inferiority directly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Phala-anumana: Inferring Latent Qualities from Results","lookup_keywords":["pratyaksha","anumana","phala","guna-vritti","bhadrata"],"quick_summary":"Judge what is evident directly, and infer what is hidden by its effects. In poetry and conduct alike, the true working of qualities is known through results."}
Concept: Pramana-viveka: pratyaksha (direct cognition) and anumana (inference) as tools to know overt and covert qualities.
Application: In judging a poem, a person, or a policy, look at outcomes (coherence, impact, stability, benefit) to infer underlying competence or defects.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya–Alankara & literary theory)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned critic examining a poem and a deed: one judged by direct features, another by its results—scales balancing 'pratyaksha' and 'anumana'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar in a traditional hall holding palm-leaf manuscript, two panels: visible traits (bright lamp) and inferred traits (shadow leading to fruit), symbolic scales, earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated acharya with manuscript and stylus, gold-embossed scales labeled pratyaksha/anumana, fruits representing phala, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic diagram-like scene: arrows from 'phala' to 'guna-vritti', scholar pointing, clean composition and delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly literary salon with poets, a critic indicating outcomes of verses on listeners’ faces, refined detailing of books and carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi: kṣudratāmapi→kṣudratām api; phalānumeyāḥ→phala-anumeyāḥ; parokṣaguṇavṛttayaḥ→parokṣa-guṇa-vṛttayaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra portions on guna/dosha and kavya-pariksha (contextual)
FAQs
It teaches an epistemic rule used in śāstra (especially poetics): hidden qualities (guṇas) are judged by observable outcomes (phala), combining direct observation (pratyakṣa) with inference (anumāna).
Beyond myth and ritual, it preserves methodological principles of classical learning—how to evaluate merit/defect and infer unseen properties—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of literary theory and knowledge-systems.
It supports discernment (viveka): judging actions, speech, and character by their fruits, encouraging ethical choice and avoidance of inferior conduct whose results reveal its hidden defects.