Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 4
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
असाधुत्वाप्रयुक्त्वे द्वावेव पदनिग्रहौ शब्दशास्त्रविरुद्धत्वमसाधुत्वं विदुर्बुधाः
asādhutvāprayuktve dvāveva padanigrahau śabdaśāstraviruddhatvamasādhutvaṃ vidurbudhāḥ
Dalawa lamang ang batayan upang tanggihan ang anyo ng isang salita: (1) ‘asādhutva’ (kamalian) at (2) ‘aprayuktva’ (kawalan ng wastong paggamit o patunay ng gamit). Nalalaman ng mga pantas na ang ‘kamalian’ ay yaong salungat sa śabda-śāstra (agham ng mga salita/gramatika).
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing sage Vasiṣṭha on śabda-śāstra principles
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Establishing criteria for accepting/rejecting word-forms in composition and criticism: grammatical correctness and attested usage; improves clarity and classical conformity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Padanigraha: asādhutva and aprayuktva","lookup_keywords":["asadhutva","aprayuktva","pada-nigraha","shabda-shastra","vyakarana"],"quick_summary":"A word-form is rejected for only two reasons: it violates grammatical science (asādhutva) or it lacks accepted attestation/usage (aprayuktva). This provides a practical checklist for linguistic correctness in kāvya."}
Concept: Linguistic validity rests on two pramāṇas in practice: rule (śāstra) and living/received usage (prayoga).
Application: In editing or composing, verify (1) conformity to grammatical rules and (2) attestation in reputable literature; if either fails, mark the word as defective.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Vyakarana / Shabda-shastra: linguistic correctness and usage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grammarian reviews a poem, striking out a faulty word for being ungrammatical and marking another as unattested, with reference books and manuscripts open.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar with stylus correcting palm-leaf manuscript, two highlighted rejected words, stacks of śāstra texts, students observing, strong outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated grammarian with gold halo, manuscript on low desk, red correction marks, ornate library setting, gold embossing on book edges.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional scene with two labels: asādhutva (vyākaraṇa-viruddha) and aprayuktva (no prayoga), neat composition, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scribe-critic in a study, marginal annotations, inkpot and reed pen, assistants bringing reference manuscripts, fine architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: असाधुत्वाप्रयुक्त्वे→असाधुत्व-अप्रयुक्त्वे; शब्दशास्त्रविरुद्धत्वमसाधुत्वं→शब्द-शास्त्र-विरुद्धत्वम् असाधुत्वम्; विदुर्बुधाः→विदुः बुधाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346.5 (subtypes/related faults like chāndasa, avispasṭa, kaṣṭa); Agni Purana Sahitya-shastra discussions on śabda-doṣa
FAQs
It imparts śabda-śāstra (grammar/language science): a technical rule that word-forms are rejected only on two bases—being grammatically incorrect (asādhutva) or lacking accepted/attested usage (aprayuktva).
Beyond ritual and mythology, it preserves a compact linguistic doctrine from Vyākaraṇa/śāstra traditions, showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of technical disciplines like grammar and literary theory alongside dharma and worship.
Correct speech supports accurate mantra recitation and śāstric study; avoiding ungrammatical or non-standard forms is treated as preserving the purity of sacred language, reducing error in recitation and learning.