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
此因亦有二类：(1) kāraka 与 (2) jñāpaka。所谓kāraka者，或在果生之前，或在果生之后而生起并起作用。
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.