Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 32
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
यः प्रसिध्यति सामान्य इत्य् असौ समयो मतः सर्वेसिद्धान्तिका येन सञ्चरन्ति निरत्ययं
yaḥ prasidhyati sāmānya ity asau samayo mataḥ sarvesiddhāntikā yena sañcaranti niratyayaṃ
‘సామాన్యము’గా ప్రసిద్ధమైనదే ‘సమయ’ (ఆచారం/సంవిధానం)గా భావించబడుతుంది; దాని ద్వారా అన్ని సిద్ధాంతాల వ్యాఖ్యాతలు విపథం లేకుండా సాగుతారు.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Use 'samaya' (convention) as a shared baseline definition so different schools/critics can communicate and proceed consistently in debate, commentary, and textual interpretation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sāmānya as Samaya (Shared Convention)","lookup_keywords":["sāmānya","samaya","prasiddha","vyavahāra","siddhāntin"],"quick_summary":"What is widely established as 'general' functions as a convention (samaya), enabling exponents of diverse doctrines to operate without slipping into inconsistency."}
Concept: Prasiddhi (public establishment) grounds samaya; samaya enables inter-school discourse and prevents interpretive drift.
Application: In commentary or debate, explicitly state the samaya (accepted general sense) before advancing a school-specific refinement.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra: Poetics and Dramaturgy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of scholars from different schools agree on a shared glossary labeled 'samaya', then proceed to discuss their distinct theses without confusion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, multi-sect scholars seated in a circle, a palm-leaf glossary titled 'samaya', calm hand gestures indicating agreement, muted earth tones, temple-hall backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central golden panel showing the word 'samaya' on a manuscript, scholars with distinct sect marks (tilaka variations) in reverent discussion, gold highlights on borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with a two-column chart: 'prasiddha (sāmānya)' → 'samaya' → 'niratyaya pravṛtti', fine detailing and clear labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly symposium with a shared scroll passed around, precise architectural setting, delicate floral border, emphasis on orderly discourse"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity asau → iti + asau; sarvesiddhāntikā → sarva-siddhāntikāḥ (visarga often dropped in transmission); niratyayaṃ → niratyayam (m.c. anusvāra for final m).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346 (definitions of sāmānya/viśeṣa; debate-method framing)
FAQs
It teaches a technical hermeneutic rule: “sāmānya” (the generally established/common rule) functions as “samaya” (accepted convention) that guides correct śāstric reasoning and interpretation across disciplines.
By defining a cross-disciplinary interpretive principle—general convention (samaya) grounded in what is commonly established (sāmānya)—it provides a shared method usable in multiple śāstras (poetics, grammar, and philosophical systems), illustrating the text’s pan-śāstric scope.
Following established, non-deviant conventions in sacred learning supports right understanding (samyag-jñāna) and disciplined conduct in study, reducing interpretive error and aligning one’s learning with dharmic order.