Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 30
Arthālaṅkāras (Ornaments of Meaning): Definitions, Taxonomy, and the Centrality of Upamā
कारको ज्ञापक इति द्विधा सो ऽप्युपजायते प्रवर्तते कारकाख्यः प्राक् पश्चात् कार्यजन्मनः
kārako jñāpaka iti dvidhā so 'pyupajāyate pravartate kārakākhyaḥ prāk paścāt kāryajanmanaḥ
Ang sanhi ring iyon ay may dalawang uri: (1) kāraka at (2) jñāpaka. Ang tinatawag na kāraka ay lumilitaw at kumikilos alinman bago o pagkatapos sumilang ang bunga (epekto).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic disciplines, here Vyākaraṇa/technical definitions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use the kāraka/jñāpaka distinction to analyze causation in sentence meaning: kāraka as operative causal factor tied to action/effect, and jñāpaka as an indicator that reveals a rule or relation; apply to parsing and teaching Sanskrit syntax.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Cause in Grammar: Kāraka vs Jñāpaka; Temporal Relation to Effect","lookup_keywords":["kāraka","jñāpaka","kāraṇa","kārya","vyākaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Causal factors are of two kinds: kāraka (operative cause connected to the arising of the effect/action) and jñāpaka (indicator cause). The kāraka may operate before or after the effect’s arising, depending on the analysis."}
Concept: Causality can be treated as operative (producing/activating) or indicative (revealing a rule); temporal ordering with respect to effect is analytically flexible.
Application: In grammatical explanation, separate what produces the action (kāraka roles like kartṛ/karma etc. in broader tradition) from what merely signals a rule (jñāpaka), improving clarity in derivation and parsing.
Khanda Section: Vyakarana (Sanskrit Grammar) / Karaka-Nirupana (syntactic roles and causation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher of grammar points to a sentence on a palm-leaf; arrows show kāraka as a causal operator linked to the effect, while jñāpaka is shown as a signpost revealing a rule; a timeline marks ‘before/after effect’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gurukula scene with teacher and students, palm-leaf manuscript enlarged, symbolic arrows and timeline motifs integrated in traditional flat style, earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated guru with disciples, gold-leaf highlighting key terms ‘kāraka’ and ‘jñāpaka’ on a scroll, ornate border, devotional-academic ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram aesthetic: sentence on scroll, labeled arrows for kāraka and jñāpaka, timeline before/after kārya, fine linework and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like scholarly setting adapted to Sanskrit learning, detailed manuscripts and inkpots, subtle overlay of diagrammatic arrows, refined palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोऽपि → सः + अपि; अप्युपजायते → अपि + उपजायते; कारकाख्यः → कारक + आख्यः; कार्यजन्मनः → कार्य + जन्मनः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘कार्यस्य जन्म’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 343 (Vyakarana: karaka-nirupana subsection)
FAQs
It teaches a technical classification of ‘cause’ into kāraka (operative cause) and jñāpaka (indicator), and states that the kāraka-type cause can function before or after the effect arises.
By including precise, śāstra-style definitions used in Sanskrit grammar and causal analysis, the Agni Purana demonstrates its role as a compendium that preserves not only ritual lore but also linguistic and philosophical technicalities.
Clarity about causation and operative factors supports disciplined understanding (viveka) and correct application of śāstra; such right knowledge is traditionally regarded as purifying and conducive to dharmic action.