Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 16
काव्यगुणविवेकः
Examination of the Qualities of Poetry
अभिप्रेतं प्रति यतो निर्वाहस्योपपादिकाः युक्तयो हेतुगर्भिण्यः प्रौढाप्रौढिरुदाहृता
abhipretaṃ prati yato nirvāhasyopapādikāḥ yuktayo hetugarbhiṇyaḥ prauḍhāprauḍhirudāhṛtā
那些与所意欲之义相应、能建立并推动论述直至完成，且于其中含藏因（hetu）的理则与方便（yukti），被说为有二类：成熟者（prauḍha）与未熟者（aprauḍha）。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s common narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Classifying and deploying yukti (reasoned connective devices) to carry an argument or poetic discourse to completion with implicit causality, improving coherence in kavya, natya dialogue, and shastric exposition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Yukti (Reasoned Device) — Prauḍha/Aprauḍha","lookup_keywords":["yukti","hetugarbha","prauḍha","aprauḍha","nirvaha"],"quick_summary":"Yukti is a discourse-sustaining reasoning device aligned to the intended meaning and containing an implicit cause (hetu). It is classified into mature (prauḍha) and less mature (aprauḍha) forms for stronger or weaker argumentative/poetic propulsion."}
Alamkara Type: Arthālaṅkāra (Yukti as a reasoning/connection device in discourse)
Concept: Reasoning that embeds causality and sustains a thesis must be graded by maturity to ensure successful completion (nirvāha) of meaning.
Application: In commentary, debate, and literary composition: choose prauḍha-yukti for dense inference and aprauḍha-yukti for simpler audiences; ensure each transition contains an implicit hetu.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya/Natya/Alankara and technical rhetoric)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned teacher in a manuscript hall points to a palm-leaf text, showing two columns labeled prauḍha and aprauḍha yukti, with arrows indicating how implicit causes connect statements to complete a discourse.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, scholar-guru seated on a wooden peetha, palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized Sanskrit labels 'prauḍha' 'aprauḍha', visual arrows linking sentences, calm didactic ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on manuscript borders, a guru with halo-like aureole (symbolic of vidya), two ornate panels representing prauḍha/aprauḍha reasoning, rich reds and greens, temple-like interior.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional diagram feel: two graded ladders of reasoning steps with 'hetu' embedded, scholar demonstrating to students, muted pastel background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly library scene, scholars debating, one points to a folio with two headings prauḍha/aprauḍha, delicate architectural arches, detailed textiles, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निर्वाहस्योपपादिकाः = निर्वाहस्य + उपपादिकाः; प्रौढाप्रौढिरुदाहृता = प्रौढा + अप्रौढिः + उदाहृता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 345 (Sahitya-shastra section: guṇa/doṣa, artha-vyutpatti, nāma-guṇa, prasāda)
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya-shastra knowledge: how to use yukti (structured reasoning) that implicitly contains its hetu (cause) to justify and complete a discourse, classified into prauḍha (mature) and aprauḍha (less mature) forms.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana catalogs technical disciplines like rhetoric and poetics; this verse functions like a sutra-style definition used in Sanskrit literary theory to systematize methods of coherent argumentation in composition.
By promoting disciplined, truthful, and well-grounded speech (where reasons are properly embedded), it supports dharmic communication and right understanding—seen traditionally as conducive to clarity (buddhi-śuddhi) and reduced error in conduct.