Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 18
Explanation of Abhinaya and Related Topics (अभिनयादिनिरूपणम्) — Agni Purana, Chapter 341
अलङ्करिष्णवस्ते च शब्दमर्थमुभौ त्रिधा ये व्युत्पत्त्यादिना शब्दमलङ्कर्तुमिह क्षमाः
alaṅkariṣṇavaste ca śabdamarthamubhau tridhā ye vyutpattyādinā śabdamalaṅkartumiha kṣamāḥ
اور جو لوگ یہاں وُیُتپتّی وغیرہ کے ذریعے کلام کو آراستہ کرنے کی صلاحیت رکھتے ہیں، وہ لفظ (شبد) اور معنی (ارتھ)—دونوں—کو تین تین قسموں میں تقسیم کرتے ہیں۔
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Framework for poetics: classify ornaments as relating to word (śabda) and meaning (artha), each in threefold division; supports systematic analysis of figures and stylistic devices, grounded in linguistic competence (vyutpatti).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Tri-fold Classification of Śabda and Artha in Alaṅkāra","lookup_keywords":["alaṅkāra","śabda","artha","tridhā","vyutpatti"],"quick_summary":"Those skilled in linguistic derivation and usage can ornament expression; they classify both word-based and meaning-based domains in a threefold scheme to systematize alaṅkāra analysis."}
Alamkara Type: Meta-classification (śabda/artha alaṅkāra taxonomy)
Concept: Competent ornamentation of speech requires vyutpatti (learned derivation/grammar) and a structured division of śabda and artha.
Application: For writers: strengthen grammar/etymology and then apply a checklist—identify whether an effect is word-driven or meaning-driven, and map it into the taught subtypes before polishing style.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Alankara & Shabda-shakti: Sanskrit poetics and verbal ornamentation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scholar demonstrates a taxonomy chart dividing ‘Śabda’ and ‘Artha’ into three branches each, emphasizing vyutpatti as the tool for ornamenting speech.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a learned ācārya pointing to a stylized tree-diagram: ‘śabda’ and ‘artha’ with three branches each; traditional colors, bold outlines, palm-leaf manuscripts around.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Sarasvatī-inspired scholarly setting (without explicit deity if desired), gold-embossed diagram panels labeled śabda/artha tridhā; ornate borders and calligraphic elegance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style pedagogic illustration: clean labeled taxonomy, scholar with stylus and palm leaf, students seated; emphasis on clarity and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a kitabkhana (library) scene: scholar with paper chart showing bifurcation and tri-branches; inkpots, books, precise calligraphy, subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अलङ्करिष्णवस्ते → अलङ्करिष्णवः ते; शब्दमर्थमुभौ → शब्दम् अर्थम् उभौ; व्युत्पत्त्यादिना → व्युत्पत्ति-आदिना; शब्दमलङ्कर्तुमिह → शब्दम् अलङ्कर्तुम् इह.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: subsequent enumeration of śabda-alaṅkāras and artha-alaṅkāras; Agni Purana: any vyākaraṇa/śabda-śakti discussions in the sāhitya portion
FAQs
It imparts kavya-śāstra (Sanskrit poetics): skilled rhetoricians ornament speech using tools like vyutpatti (derivational/etymological analysis) and classify both śabda (word) and artha (meaning) into three types.
By teaching literary theory alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium; this verse signals a systematic, technical framework for analyzing and beautifying language (śabda) and sense (artha).
Mastery of disciplined, well-formed speech and meaning supports dharmic communication—praise, teaching, and recitation—thereby aiding clarity, truthfulness, and merit when sacred knowledge is transmitted without distortion.