Significance of Apahnuti
Apahnuti is a concept that involves concealment and negation across various ancient texts. In the Purana, it signifies the act of hiding a meaning to convey another. The Natyashastra defines it as a figure of speech which employs negation or counter-assertion. Meanwhile, the Kavyashastra refers to Apahnuti as an ornament that establishes an analogy by negating the subject being described, involving expressions of denial and counter-statements in multiple forms.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Apahnuti'
In Hinduism, Apahnuti signifies an ornament of concealment that involves negating a subject to establish meaning. It encompasses denial, hidden senses, and serves as a figure of speech through negation and counter-assertion.
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Poetic denial; unlike vyajokti, it includes a denial or negation of the connected ideas.[1] (2) denial or negation expressed in various ways[2] (3) the ornament called apahnuti (concealment), which is the establishment of the upamana by negating the subject of description (the upameya).[3]
From: Agni Purana
(1) Concealment, which involves conveying another sense by hiding something.[4]
From: Mudrarakshasa (literary study)
(1) A figure of speech that involves negation or counter-assertion.[5]
From: Malatimadhava (study)
(1) Concealment where what is remote is presented while suppressing what is relevant, often leading to a surprising or abstract effect.[6]