Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 25
Discrimination of the Qualities of Poetry (Kāvya-guṇa-viveka) — Closing Verse/Colophon Transition
दुःखीकरोति दोषज्ञान्गूढार्थत्वं न दुष्करे न ग्राम्यतोद्वेगकारी प्रसिद्धेर् लोकशास्त्रयोः
duḥkhīkaroti doṣajñāngūḍhārthatvaṃ na duṣkare na grāmyatodvegakārī prasiddher lokaśāstrayoḥ
گہرا اور پوشیدہ معنی عیب شناس ذوق والے کو بھی رنجیدہ کر دیتا ہے؛ اس لیے کلام نہ حد سے زیادہ دشوار فہم ہو، نہ بازاری یا ناگوار ہو، اور عام رواج اور شاستروں—دونوں کی معروف استعمال کے مطابق ہو۔
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic topics, here poetic theory)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Guidelines for composition and editing: avoid needless obscurity, vulgarity, and jarring diction; align usage with both common speech and śāstric convention for intelligibility and aesthetic pleasure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kāvya-racanā Niyama: Avoid Gūḍhārthatva, Grāmyatā, and Udbhega; Follow Loka-Śāstra-Prasiddhi","lookup_keywords":["gūḍhārtha","grāmya","udvega","prasiddhi","kāvya-doṣa"],"quick_summary":"Obscure meaning distresses even connoisseurs; poetry should be intelligible, non-vulgar, non-jarring, and consistent with established usage in both everyday language and authoritative śāstras."}
Concept: Communication ethics in aesthetics: intelligibility and cultured usage are part of poetic dharma; obscurity and vulgarity obstruct rasa.
Application: In revision, check: (1) can a sahrdaya paraphrase the sense without strain, (2) are words free from grāmya/low-register shock, (3) does diction match loka-prasiddhi and śāstra-prasiddhi; if not, simplify, gloss, or replace terms.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra / Alaṅkāra and poetic composition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poet revises a manuscript: crossing out obscure phrases, replacing vulgar words, consulting two reference scrolls labeled ‘loka’ and ‘śāstra’, while a connoisseur reacts with relief as clarity improves.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, poet-scribe at low desk with palm-leaf, two symbolic scrolls ‘loka’ and ‘śāstra’, a sahrdaya listener’s face shifting from distress to calm, rich earthy palette and stylized forms","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf on manuscript edges and lamp, poet with stylus, ornate labels for prasiddhi, dignified connoisseur seated, vibrant reds/greens and decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional editing scene, fine lines showing corrections on manuscript, reference books stacked, calm interior, clear callouts for gūḍhārtha/grāmya/udvega to be avoided","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like writing room, poet consulting lexicon and śāstra, delicate depiction of corrected lines, attentive patron/listener, floral border and calligraphic captions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"calm","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: doṣajñāngūḍhārthatvaṃ = doṣajñān + gūḍhārthatvam; grāmyatodvegakārī = grāmya-tā + udvega-kārī; prasiddher = prasiddheḥ; lokaśāstrayoḥ treated as samāhāra-dvandva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 346 (Sahitya-shastra: doṣa, prasiddhi, aucitya, śabda-śuddhi)
FAQs
It teaches kāvya-śāstra criteria: avoid gūḍhārthatva (excessive obscurity), avoid grāmya (vulgar diction) and anything that jars the reader, and follow prasiddhi—accepted usage in both common speech and authoritative śāstras.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana codifies practical arts like literary criticism—setting standards for intelligibility, decorum, and linguistic authority—showing its scope as a manual of culture, education, and refined composition.
By promoting truthful, non-vulgar, and intelligible expression aligned with śāstra, the verse supports dhārmic speech (śuddha-vāk) that benefits listeners rather than disturbing them, thereby aiding merit through responsible teaching and communication.