Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 26
Chapter 366 — सामान्यनामलिङ्गानि
Common Noun-Forms and Their Grammatical Genders
असन्निकृष्तार्थज्ञानं शब्दाद्धि शाब्दमीरितं सादृश्यदर्शनात्तुल्ये बुद्धिः स्यादुपमानकं
asannikṛṣtārthajñānaṃ śabdāddhi śābdamīritaṃ sādṛśyadarśanāttulye buddhiḥ syādupamānakaṃ
ఇంద్రియాలకు ప్రత్యక్షంగా సమీపంలో లేని విషయంపై పదాల వల్ల కలిగే జ్ఞానాన్ని ‘శాబ్ద-ప్రమాణం’ అని ప్రకటించారు. అలాగే సాదృశ్య దర్శనంతో ఒకదానిని మరొకదానికి సమానమని గ్రహించే బుద్ధి కలుగుతుంది; అది ‘ఉపమాన-ప్రమాణం’.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Distinguish pramāṇas: śabda (verbal testimony) for non-present objects and upamāna (analogy) from similarity-perception; apply in debate, learning, and interpretation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pramāṇa definitions: Śabda and Upamāna","lookup_keywords":["shabda-pramana","upamana-pramana","asannikrishta-artha","sadrishya-darshana","pramana"],"quick_summary":"Defines śabda-pramāṇa as knowledge from words about non-immediately present objects, and upamāna-pramāṇa as cognition arising from perceived similarity (analogy/comparison)."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Valid knowledge arises through distinct pramāṇas: śabda for word-born cognition of non-present objects; upamāna for analogy based on similarity-perception.
Application: When learning unseen entities (places, rituals, technical objects), rely on trustworthy testimony; when identifying an unknown by resemblance to a known exemplar, treat it as upamāna and test by further perception.
Khanda Section: Nyaya–Mimamsa / Pramana-shastra (Epistemology and Means of Knowledge)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher describes a distant object through words (śabda), while a student recognizes an unfamiliar animal by comparing it to a known one (upamāna) after seeing similarity; two clear vignettes labeled accordingly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru speaking with stylized speech-scroll (śabda), student visualizing a distant object; second panel shows comparison of two similar animals with a similarity motif, earthy pigments and clear outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, teacher and student with gold-leaf accents on manuscript and speech-scroll; side panel with two comparable forms highlighted by gold borders, labeled śabda and upamāna","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional split diagram: left ‘word-to-knowledge’ flowchart; right ‘similarity-to-identification’ scene, neat labels and soft washes","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like setting with a munshi reading; adjacent naturalistic scene of a traveler identifying an animal by resemblance, fine detailing and calligraphic captions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शब्दाद्धि = शब्दात् + हि; शाब्दमीरितं = शाब्दम् + ईरितम्; सादृश्यदर्शनात्तुल्ये = सादृश्यदर्शनात् + तुल्ये; स्यादुपमानकं = स्यात् + उपमानकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pramāṇa listings and tarka terminology in 366 (adjacent verses 366.27 etc.)
FAQs
It gives technical definitions from pramāṇa-śāstra: śabda-pramāṇa (valid knowledge from authoritative words) and upamāna-pramāṇa (valid knowledge arising from recognizing similarity).
By incorporating Nyāya-style epistemology alongside ritual and devotional material, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium that preserves philosophical tools for interpreting scripture, instruction, and worldly knowledge.
It legitimizes learning dharma through trustworthy teachings (śabda) and careful discernment (upamāna), supporting right understanding that guides correct practice and reduces error in religious and ethical life.