Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 20
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
उत्कर्षवान् गुणः कश्चिद्यस्मिन्नुक्ते प्रतीयते तत्सौभाग्यमुदारत्वं प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः
utkarṣavān guṇaḥ kaścidyasminnukte pratīyate tatsaubhāgyamudāratvaṃ pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ
ఏ వాక్యప్రయోగంలో అది పలికిన వెంటనే ఏదో ఉత్తమ గుణం స్పష్టమవుతుందో, దానిని మేధావులు ‘సౌభాగ్యం’ మరియు ‘ఉదారత్వం’ అని ప్రకటిస్తారు।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Evaluating speech/writing for manifest excellence (guṇa) that produces saubhāgya (felicitous effect) and udāratva (nobility), guiding ethical-aesthetic standards in public discourse and literature.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saubhāgya & Udāratva as Manifest Excellence in Expression","lookup_keywords":["saubhāgya","udāratva","guṇa","utkarṣa","ukti"],"quick_summary":"When an utterance reveals an evident excellence (utkarṣa) as it is spoken, it is termed saubhāgya and udāratva. The takeaway is to craft expression so virtue is immediately perceptible—dignified, elevating, and auspicious in effect."}
Concept: Speech is ethically-aesthetically accountable: noble utterance is recognized by immediately evident excellence that uplifts speaker and listener.
Application: In leadership, teaching, and poetry: prefer dignified diction, generous intent, and elevating content so the virtue of the speech is self-evident at first hearing.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Alankara: definitions of literary and ethical qualities)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble speaker addresses an audience; as words emerge, a visible aura labeled 'utkarṣa' surrounds the speech-scroll, and two banners read 'saubhāgya' and 'udāratva', indicating felicity and grandeur recognized instantly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal-court or sabhā scene, speaker with composed posture, stylized speech-scroll with Sanskrit labels, dignified faces, warm earthy palette and ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf halo and speech-scroll, ornate throne or dais, banners for saubhāgya/udāratva, rich reds and greens, auspicious motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic portrait of an orator-poet, clear labeling of guṇa, restrained elegance, fine detailing on garments and manuscript.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar-like assembly, refined gestures, illuminated calligraphy panel floating near the speaker, subtle symbolism of nobility and felicity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Raga Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कश्चिद्यस्मिन्नुक्ते = कश्चित् + यस्मिन् + उक्ते; तत्सौभाग्यमुदारत्वं = तत् + सौभाग्यम् + उदारत्वम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 345.18 (saubhāgya linked with prasāda and praise); Agni Purana 345.19 (prasāda as guṇa)
FAQs
It imparts a technical kavya-shastra definition: ‘saubhagya/udarata’ is identified as the quality by which excellence becomes perceptible in an utterance, i.e., an auspicious, elevated effectiveness of expression.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana also codifies Sanskrit poetics; this verse functions like a glossary-definition entry for aesthetic/ethical qualities of speech, showing its compendium-style coverage of shastra topics.
By valuing speech that reveals virtue and nobility, the text promotes sattvic communication—speech aligned with dharma—considered conducive to merit (puṇya) and social harmony.