Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 16
Chapter 336 — काव्यादिलक्षणम्
Definitions of Poetry and Related Arts
सुख्यस्यार्थावताराय भवेद्यत्र कथान्तरम् परिच्छेदो न यत्र स्याद्भवेद्वालम्भकैः क्वचित्
sukhyasyārthāvatārāya bhavedyatra kathāntaram paricchedo na yatra syādbhavedvālambhakaiḥ kvacit
పాఠకసౌఖ్యానికి, ఉద్దేశ్యార్థాన్ని స్పష్టంగా ప్రవేశపెట్టడానికి మాత్రమే అక్కడ కథాంతరాన్ని చేర్చాలి; సరైన పరిచ్ఛేదం లేని చోట, కథను నిలుపుటకు కొన్నిసార్లు ‘వాలంభక’ అనే ఆధార-సంధి భాగాలను వినియోగించవచ్చు.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s didactic discourse on śāstra topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Editing narrative structure: insert sub-episodes only to clarify meaning and reader flow; when section divisions are absent, use linking passages (valambhaka) to maintain continuity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Katha-prabandha structuring: kathantara for artha-avatara; valambhaka for continuity","lookup_keywords":["kathantara","artha-avatara","pariccheda","valambhaka","prabandha"],"quick_summary":"Use subsidiary episodes only when they serve the main meaning and ease comprehension; if formal divisions are lacking, employ supportive link-passages to keep the narrative coherent."}
Concept: Upayoga (utility) governs ornament: narrative additions must serve artha and sukha (ease) rather than mere expansion.
Application: As an editor/author, justify every kathantara by its contribution to the main thesis; add valambhaka transitions where pariccheda breaks are missing.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Natya—katha-prabandha-lakshana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript being edited: the main narrative thread is shown as a continuous ribbon; a small side-episode is inserted with an arrow labeled kathantara; bridging lines labeled valambhaka connect undivided sections.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: scribe and poet revising a palm-leaf manuscript; stylized ribbon-like story band with a small branching vignette (kathantara) returning to the main band; decorative connector motifs as valambhaka; earthy reds/greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: author and assistant with manuscripts; gold-highlighted connectors between text panels; a small inset scene (kathantara) framed in gold, clearly subordinate to the main panel; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram of narrative flow—main line, optional kathantara node, and valambhaka bridges; neat labels in Devanagari; soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with poet, editor, and calligrapher; marginalia arrows indicating inserted episode and transition passages; detailed paper textures, inkpots, and rulers."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेद्यत्र = भवेत् + यत्र; व्यञ्जन-सन्धि। स्याद्भवेत् = स्यात् + भवेत्; व्यञ्जन-सन्धि। भवेद्वालम्भकैः = भवेत् + वा + आलम्भकैः; व्यञ्जन-सन्धि तथा स्वर-सन्धि।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 336 (katha/prabandha-lakshana sequence)
FAQs
It teaches Sahitya-shastra (poetics/composition): how and when to insert a subsidiary episode (kathāntara), how to maintain clear sectioning (pariccheda), and when to use linking supports (vālambhaka) to keep the narrative coherent.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also codifies applied arts like Sanskrit literary theory—here giving practical editorial rules for structuring a prabandha/kathā, showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
By promoting clarity, coherence, and listener-friendly narration, it supports dharmic transmission of teachings—helping sacred and ethical meanings be understood correctly, which is traditionally seen as meritorious for both teacher and audience.