 "Akhyana" literally means "to tell" or "narrate" in Sanskrit.The 12th century polymath Hemchandra defined Akhyana in his "Kavyanusashana" as a side story from religious texts narrated by Granthika (professional story teller) to instruct audience accompanied by singing and acting.This definition does not include the narration of other non-mythological stories like that of Narsinh Mehta.