Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
उपन्यासः प्रतीकारः संयोगः पुरुषान्तरः अदृष्टनर आदिष्ट आत्मापि स उपग्रहः
upanyāsaḥ pratīkāraḥ saṃyogaḥ puruṣāntaraḥ adṛṣṭanara ādiṣṭa ātmāpi sa upagrahaḥ
اُپنیاس، پرتی کار، سَمیوگ، پُرُشانتَر، اَدِرِشٹ نَر، آدِشٹ اور اُپگرہ—یہ نیتی شاستر کی اصطلاحی اقسام ہیں؛ اور ‘آتماپی’ سے مراد ‘خود بھی (عامل/فریق)’ ہے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Natya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Dramaturgical toolkit: identify plot-devices and character-handling techniques (introductions, counter-actions, unions, character shifts, unseen agents, commissioned agents, subsidiary devices) for composing/analysing drama and narrative.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dramaturgical Devices: Upanyāsa, Pratīkāra, Saṁyoga, Puruṣāntara, Adṛṣṭa-nara, Ādiṣṭa, Upagraha (and Ātmāpi)","lookup_keywords":["upanyāsa","pratīkāra","saṃyoga","adṛṣṭa-nara","upagraha"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates technical categories used in plot construction and stage-narrative management—how matters are introduced, opposed, joined, shifted across agents, and supported by subsidiary devices."}
Concept: Systematization of artistic practice: naming devices makes composition teachable and repeatable.
Application: While scripting, tag scenes by function (introduction/counteraction/union/character shift/unseen agent/commissioned agent/subsidiary device) to maintain coherence and pacing.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Natya terminology and dramaturgy)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: niti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramatist-teacher explains a palm-leaf manuscript listing plot devices to students; behind them, a stage shows vignettes: a messenger (ādiṣṭa), an unseen character behind a curtain (adṛṣṭa-nara), two characters meeting (saṁyoga), and a character change/entry (puruṣāntara).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gurukula of dramaturgy, teacher holding palm-leaf, students seated, stylized stage at side with curtain showing unseen person, messenger entering, lovers meeting, vivid flat colors and ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on manuscript and stage ornaments, teacher and disciples, small gold-framed vignettes around depicting each device (messenger, hidden figure, union, counteraction), temple-theatre ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram-like painting: central teacher with manuscript, surrounding labeled mini-scenes for upanyāsa/pratīkāra/saṁyoga/puruṣāntara/adṛṣṭa-nara/ādiṣṭa/upagraha, fine lines and soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, literary salon with playwright and pupils, manuscript open, inset scenes of theatre: curtain concealment, messenger, meeting, counteraction, detailed costumes and architectural interior"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आत्मापि→आत्मा अपि; पुरुषान्तरः = पुरुष+अन्तर (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); अदृष्टनरः = अदृष्ट+नर (कर्मधारय)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya/Natya chapters defining sandhi, sandhy-aṅga, and dramatic terminology
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya/Natya technical vocabulary—named devices/categories used to analyze or construct narrative and dramatic situations (e.g., introduction, counter-action, conjunction, shift of agent, unseen character, commissioned agent, and subsidiary elements).
By cataloging specialized terminology from Sanskrit poetics and dramaturgy, it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that preserves not only theology and ritual but also technical arts like literary theory and stage-craft.
While not a ritual injunction, it supports dharmic transmission of knowledge: mastering precise categories of speech and composition is treated as a refined discipline (vidyā) that aids correct instruction, ethical persuasion, and cultured expression.