Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 23
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
समस्या सप्त तद्भेदा नानार्थस्यानुयोगतः यत्र प्रदीयते तुल्यवर्णविन्यासमुत्तरं
samasyā sapta tadbhedā nānārthasyānuyogataḥ yatra pradīyate tulyavarṇavinyāsamuttaraṃ
கவிதை ‘சமஸ்யா’ ஏழு வகை; பலபொருள் சொல்லின் தூண்டுதலின்படி வேறுபடும். கொடுக்கப்பட்ட சொற்களுக்குச் சமமான எழுத்தமைப்புடன் பதில் வழங்கப்படும் இடம் அதுவாகும்.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Used in poetic competitions and pedagogy: given a prompt with polysemy, the respondent must craft an answer matching a specified letter-pattern, training lexical mastery, phonotactics, and compositional speed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Samasyā (Poetic Problem) — Sevenfold Types and Tulyavarṇa-vinyāsa Answering","lookup_keywords":["samasyā","saptabheda","nānārtha","anuyoga","tulyavarṇa-vinyāsa"],"quick_summary":"Samasyā is a structured poetic challenge with seven varieties; one key form requires supplying an answer whose letter-arrangement mirrors the given prompt, often leveraging polysemous cues."}
Alamkara Type: Citra/Śleṣa-adjacent puzzle-technique (constraint-based composition)
Concept: Rule-governed creativity: linguistic constraints (sound/letter patterns) can generate higher artistry and sharpen semantic discrimination.
Application: In classroom/sabhā, set a samasyā with a polysemous trigger-word; require the respondent to keep the same varṇa-pattern while shifting meaning—training both śabda and artha control.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya, Chandas, Alankara, and lexical-poetic techniques)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher sets a samasyā on a palm-leaf: a prompt word with many meanings; a student writes an answer line beneath it, carefully matching the letter-pattern like a mirrored lattice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and śiṣya in a learning hall, palm-leaf manuscript with highlighted repeating letter-grid, stylized lattice motif behind them, warm tones and bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf framing around a manuscript showing two lines with matching letter patterns, teacher blessing the student, rich jewel colors and ornamental details","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional close-up: letter-pattern diagram (varṇa-vinyāsa) beside the composed response, precise linework, calm scholarly setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript workshop scene, calligrapher composing constrained verse, marginal notes indicating polysemy, delicate borders and fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्भेदा = तत् + भेदाः; नानार्थस्यानुयोगतः = नानार्थस्य + अनुयोगतः; तुल्यवर्णविन्यासमुत्तरं = तुल्यवर्णविन्यासम् + उत्तरम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.22 (citra and puzzle-forms); Agni Purana 342.24-25 (praśna/prahelikā classifications)
FAQs
It teaches a technical principle of Sanskrit poetics: the ‘samasyā’ (verse-completion/riddle) is classified into seven types, and one method involves answering a polysemous prompt with a solution that preserves the same letter-pattern (varṇa-vinyāsa).
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of disciplines; here it records kavya-śāstra techniques—riddle-poetry, polysemy, and formal constraints—showing its coverage of literary theory alongside dharma, worship, and statecraft.
Indirectly, it supports dharmic cultivation through refined speech and disciplined learning; mastery of śāstra and careful language-use is traditionally valued as a purifying intellectual practice (vidyā-sādhana), though the verse itself is primarily technical rather than ritual.