Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 26
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
शब्दावबोधतः शाब्दी प्राहुः षोढा प्रहेलिकां यस्मिन् गुप्ते ऽपि वाक्याङ्गे भाव्यर्थो ऽपारमार्थिकः
śabdāvabodhataḥ śābdī prāhuḥ ṣoḍhā prahelikāṃ yasmin gupte 'pi vākyāṅge bhāvyartho 'pāramārthikaḥ
పదబోధాన్ని ఆధారంగా చేసుకొని ప్రహేళికను ‘శాబ్దీ’ అని అంటారు; అది పదహారు విధాలుగా చెప్పబడింది. వాక్యంలోని ఒక భాగం దాచబడినప్పటికీ భావ్యార్థం ఊహించబడుతుంది, కాని అది ప్రధాన (పరమార్థిక/అక్షరార్థ) అర్థం కాదు.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Classifying and composing riddling/indirect expressions in poetry; training readers to infer intended sense when a sentence-member is concealed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śābdī Prahelikā (Verbal Riddle) — lakṣaṇa and scope","lookup_keywords":["śābdī","prahelikā","gūḍhārtha","vākya-aṅga-gūpti","abhidhā-vyavaccheda"],"quick_summary":"A śābdī prahelikā is a riddle grounded in word-apprehension where some sentence-member is hidden, forcing inference of an intended meaning that is not the literal/primary sense."}
Alamkara Type: Prahelikā (riddle; śābdī subtype)
Concept: Meaning can be intended yet non-literal; comprehension may require inference when linguistic elements are concealed.
Application: Use in pedagogy of poetics/semantics: train students to distinguish literal sense from suggested/intended sense and to solve riddles by contextual inference.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya, Alankara, and Shabda-vidya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned poet presents a riddle: part of a written sentence is covered, while listeners infer the hidden intended meaning from the remaining words.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, scholarly sabhā scene, palm-leaf manuscript with one line partially covered, attentive listeners with expressive eyes, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition, emphasis on gesture of concealment and inference","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate courtly sabhā with gold-leaf highlights, poet holding stylus and palm-leaf, a cloth covering a portion of the text, listeners pointing as they infer meaning, rich jewelry and architectural frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: sentence written on a board with a missing segment, teacher indicating hidden vākya-aṅga, students contemplating, delicate lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate literary gathering, calligraphed strip with a concealed word, subtle expressions of puzzlement and delight, fine detailing of textiles and manuscripts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Vācaspati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शब्दावबोधतः = शब्द-अवबोधतः; गुप्तेऽपि = गुप्ते अपि; वाक्याङ्गे = वाक्य-अङ्गे; भाव्यर्थोऽपारमार्थिकः = भावि-अर्थः अपारमार्थिकः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (Prahelikā/Gūḍha/Datta classifications)
FAQs
It teaches a technical category in Sanskrit poetics: the “śābdī prahelikā,” a verbal riddle where some sentence-element is hidden and the reader must infer an intended, non-literal meaning.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also codifies literary and linguistic theory; this verse is part of its kavya-śāstra material, defining riddle-types and principles of implied meaning (non-literal semantics).
Indirectly, it supports dharmic learning: training in śāstra and refined comprehension (buddhi) through disciplined interpretation of language—an aid to studying sacred texts where implied meanings are common.