In the evolution of Alamkāra literature, Dhvani or Vyanjana occupies a paramount place.

The
medieval Alamkarikās felt that for the purpose of aesthetic experience and Rasānubhuti, the aid
of Dhvani must exist because the Rasā experience is never possible on Vakyabhumi.
The Dhvani Theory found it's first systematic expression in Ānandvardhan's 'Dhvanyāloka'. His
theory dominated Indian Poetics from the 9th to 12th century A.D.
Grammatical Definitions
ध्वनति इति ध्वनि: - That which suggest both word and meaning is Dhvani

ध्वन्यते इति ध्वनि - That which is suggested is Dhvani

ध्वननं ध्वनि: - Process of Suggestion is Dhvani

ध्वनि समुदाय: ध्वनि: - Entire Literature is Dhvani

"That kind of poetry, wherein the (conventional) meaning renders itself secondary or the
(conventional) word renders it's meaning secondary and suggests the (intended or) implied
meaning; is designated by the learned as Dhvani or 'Suggested Poetry'"

Dhvanyaloka of Anandavardhana

Shashtra
Shash शास्means “to command”. “शासते इति शास्त्रम्” — That which rules or commands is the

scripture. There are different shashtras like Tarka, Vyakarana, Meemaamsa, etc. Dhvanyaaloka

comes under Sahitya Shashtra or Alamkaara Shashtra.

[Side note: Only when Veda approves, it can be accepted. Bhaamaah proved that Kavya is
accepted by the Vedas.]

Sahitya Shashtra
The first of such poets to think about the nature of poems was Bharata. He lived before 500 BC.
There have been many Aalankarikaas or Literary critics after him. The Shahitya Shashtra has
evolved over the centuries.

Classification of Sammitaa
The literary works (Sammitaa or Saahityaa) can be classified into 3 types:
Prabhu Sammitaa Peremptory or dictatorial commands – In the tone of इदमित्तं –This is how

it has to be done – the lord’s orders. Eg. Veda.

Mitra Sammitaa Friendly advice. Itihaasa – Epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata
Kaantaa Sammitaa Lover’s words – Sweet Persuation Eg. Kaavyas
[Side Note: In Shakuntalam, while As Kalidasa puts it, अशिक्षित-पटु त्वं – women are very smart

which is not taught by anyone. ]

Alankaara
Alamkaara is a concept (Parikalpana) in Sanskrit. In Kavya Shastra, the term Alamkaara means

that which beautifies the poem. The definition of Alamkaara as mentioned in काव्यादर्श is

काव्यशोभाकरान् धर्मान् अलं करान् प्रचक्षते| The properties (dharmas) which beautify the poem are

Alamkaras – says Dandi in his Kaavyaadarsha. Alankaara Shashtram is Literary Criticism. One

who knows fully about Alamkaara is an Aalankaarika. Literary critics are those who write about

Alamkaaras. These critics attempted to definethe soul of poetry.

[Side Note: Dhvanyaaloka is a Lakshana Grantha that describes certain concepts related to
poetry. (See the details about Lakshana Grantha and Lakshya Grantha –
https://nivedita2015.wordpress.com/kavya-prakasha-by-mammata/) ]

Soul of Kavya
काव्यम् = काव्य-आत्मा + काव्य-शरीरम् (अङ्गम् + अङ्गी). Kavya is word and its meaning or

meaningful words. शब्दार्थौ सहितौ काव्यम् | All literary critics discuss only about the Kaavya

Shareera and the Soul. When we talk about Kaavya Shareera, it has its limbs. There will be a

main aspect. The other aspects will be just an अङ्ग or supplementary or auxiliary. अलं कारः,

गुणः, रीतिः, etc. We can present or express our feelings through the alamkaaras like Upamaa,

Rupaka, etc. These organs assist or supplement the composition of the work. Right from the

days of Bharata, there has been the debate on which should be the limbs and which should be

the soul of poetry. रसात्मकं काव्यम् says Bharata. He was a literary critic or alamkaarika or

laakshanikaa. Various critics or alamkaarikas have propounded numerous theories.

Creativity in Poetry
To understand the difference between ordinary statements and poetry, consider these two
sentences. “कश्चित् वृक्षः तिष्ठत्यग्रे”and “नीरसतरुरिव भाति पुरा”.The first one simply states that a

tree is present in front. The other one describes it interestingly by saying that it seems to be a

tree devoid of any life or aesthetic sentiment. It also has alliteration or anupraasa alamkara due

to the repeated occurrence of the same letter “ra”. Along with that shabda alamkara, it also has

arthaalamkara by upama or Simile to describe the dry tree. It brings out the various rasas or

aesthetic pleasures to different people. The term Niirasa conveys different feelings to

different people like a traveler or a young couple.

Poetry
The plot or कथा वस्तु, the theme of the story, is iti vruttam इति वृत्तम्. It is the body of the poem

according to Bharata. The body is beautified with alamkaaras. Everyone accepted Bharata’s

opinion about the body of the poem. Bhaamah states in काव्यालं कार that Kavya comprises of

words and their meanings -शब्दार्थौ सहितौ काव्यम् | Also it is saidthat the work of the poet is

poem, कवेः कर्म काव्यम् | There are more definitions of Kavya. रमणीयार्थप्रतिपादकं काव्यम् |

Highlighting the creativity of the poet, it is said प्रतिभायुक्तं काव्यम् Poem is one that has this

scope for creativity where Prathibha is defined in this way – नवनवोन्मेषशालिनी प्रतिभा – That

which produces newer and newer meaning is Prathibha.

प्रधानानामालङ्कारिकाणां काव्यलक्षणानि इमानि सन्ति ।

१. शब्दार्थौ सहितौ काव्यम् – भामहः ।

२. काव्यशब्दोऽयं गुणालङ्कारसं स्कृ तयोः शब्दार्थयोर्वर्तते – वामनः ।

३. शरीरं तावदिष्टार्थव्यवच्छिन्ना पदावलिः – दण्डी ।

४. शब्दार्थौ काव्यम् – रुद्रटः ।

५. गुणालङ्काररीतिरसोपेतः साधुशब्दार्थान्दर्भः काव्यम् – वाग्भटः ।

६. तददोषौ शब्दार्थौ सगुणावनलङ्कृ ती पुनः क्वापि – मम्मटः ।

७. शब्दार्थशरीरं तावत् कव्यम् – आनन्दवर्धनः ।

८. शब्दार्थौ निर्दोषौ प्रायः सालङ्कारौ च काव्यम् – उद्भटः ।

९. निर्दोषा लक्षणवती सरीतिर्गुणभूषिता ।सालङ्काररसानेकवृत्तिर्वाक् काव्यनामभाक् ॥ – जयदेवः ।

१०. अदोषौ सगुणौ सालङ्कारौ च शब्दार्थौ काव्यम् – हेमचन्द्रः ।

११. गुणालङ्कारसहितौ शब्दार्थौ दोषवर्जितौ ।काव्यम् . . . ॥ – विद्यानाथः ।

१२. शब्दार्थौ वपुरस्य… – विद्याधरः ।

१३. वाक्यं रसात्मकं काव्यम् – विश्वनाथः ।

१४. रमणीयार्थप्रतिपादकः शब्दः काव्यम् – जगन्नाथः ।

[Side note: चर्वित चर्वनं मा भवेत् | Let there be noimitation i.e., chewing of that which is already

chewed. So each one came up with his own idea]

[Side note: प्रयोजनमनुद्दिश्य मन्दोऽपि न प्रवर्तते | Even a dullard does not venture into a task

without considering its benefit].

On correctness ofKaavyam साधु काव्यम् and on the purpose of poetry काव्यस्य प्रयोजनम् ,

Abhinava Gupta says this in the Lochana:

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षेषु वैचक्षण्यं कलासु च |करोति कीर्थिं प्रीतिं च साधु काव्यनिषेवणम् ||

There are different criteria for a Kavya to be considered as a उत्तमकाव्यम्. A superior poem is

one that

Provides intense, special, efficient knowledge or expertise वैचक्षणम् in the four purushaarthas

namely Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha.

Provides the expert knowledge about the 64 Kalas.
Becomes the cause for gaining the loving respect and glory करोति कीर्थिं प्रीतिम्
Basic Concepts – Three types of Meanings
We will see the concepts (परिकल्पनानि) that are needed to understand Dhvani.

Vaachaka denotative Expressed or denoted meaning Abhidaa vyapara / अभिधावृत्तिः

Koshaarthah, Vaachyaartha, शक्यार्थ The power of the word conveyed by the dictionary

meaning

Laakshanika indicative Indicated or suppressed meaning Lakshanaa vyapara /

लक्षणावृत्तिः Lakshyaarthah, Lakshanaarthah,

भाक्त Some element is suppressed (The word bank is suppressed in Gangaayaam goshah –

Hamlet on the banks of Ganga and not in Ganges)

Vyanjaka suggestive Suggested meaning Vyangyaa vyapara / व्यञ्जनावृत्तिः Dhvanyarthah,

Vyanjanaarthah, vyangyaarthah It shows or reflects or suggests some other meaning. The

tone of “Go, go!” might mean “Don’t go”

Vaachyaartha – Dictionary Meaning
Shakti has many synonyms. कोशार्थः, वाच्यः, वाच्यार्थः, शक्यार्थः, मुख्यार्थः, अभिधावृत्तिः, अभिधाव्यापारः,

सङ्के तार्थः |Vritti is defined as the relation of the word with its meaning पदपदार्थयोः सं बन्धः वृत्तिः |

वृत्तिःor व्यापारः means function or activity.

Abhidhaa vyaapaarah is defined as that activity by which the dictionary meaning is understood

by us – कस्मात् व्यापारात् कोशार्थं अस्माभिः अवगन्तुं शक्यते | We understand the word Pustakam to

mean a book. So this term is Koshaartha.

Lakshyaartha – Secondary Meaning

Bhakti is लक्षणा वृत्तिः |The primary power of the word to convey a meaning is called अभिधा.

The primary meaning is शक्तिः. In some cases, we indicate a meaning which is different from

the primary meaning. For example, when we say that a person is Mercury, it indicates certain

quality of Mercury like being very brisk and active. In this case, the primary meaning is not

taken. This secondary meaning is called लक्षणार्थः. The famous example is गङ्गायां घोषः | It

means – आभीरपल्ली – the hamlet of cowherds.A person is selling milk and milk products. A
housewife enquires “भद्रा! क्व ते घोषः ?” The milkman says “अम्ब! गङ्गायां घोषः”. Since the

housewife wants to know if the person’s village is having good water resource which would

result in a fertile land causing the cows to give good quality milk, the milkman gives an apt

reply that his village is in the Ganges. Though he mentions only Ganga, it is understood as

“गङ्गातीरे”. The power of the word to indicate a secondary meaning which is different from the

primary meaning is called लक्षणा. Another term for it is भक्ति.

Why do we need Lakshanaa vyaapaara? मुख्यार्थस्य बाधः एव लक्षणा-व्यापारस्य आधारः | Lakshanaa

obstructs the mukhyaartha. बाधःmeans to reject or not accept. So we go to the indicatory or

suppressed meaning. Eg. Gangaayaam gosha – Here the expressed meaning is not acceptable,

so the indicatory meaning is taken. To enhance the beauty of the poem, such indicatory

meanings are used. गूढं सत् चमत्करोति | These latent / hidden / suppressed / indicatory (गूढ)

meanings cause fascination and excitement. There is always a relationship (सं बन्धः) between

the mukhyaartha and the suppressed meaning.

Dhvani or व्यङ्गार्थ – Suggestion

How is व्यङ्गार्थ different from this suppressed or indicated meaning? For Dhvani, there are no

conditions like it should obstruct or have a relationship with the original meaning. The

characteristics of Dhvani are described later. To arrive at the suggested meaning, the

characters and the context are important. Anandavardhana tells again and again that Dhvani is

the प्रतीयमानार्थः – the meaning that flashes in the mind. मनसि प्रकाशते | मनसि उद्भवः भवति |

When the mother tells a boy going to the movie, “Go, Go!”, based on the context, it could have

the opposite meaning of “Don’t go!” So, here, it is neither the dictionary meaning nor a

suppressed meaning. Here it is the suggested meaning. This is an example of Vastu Dhvani.

The 3 types are Vastu Dhvani, Alamkaara Dhvani and Rasa Dhvani. The supreme amongst these

is the Rasa Dhvani.

Once Anandavardhana put forth his theory that Dhvani is the soul of poetry, there arose prima

facie arguments against it, among his critics referred to as Dhvani Virodha
vaadis.Abhaavavaadis are those who claim that is no such thing as Dhvani. Anandavardhana

partially accepts some of the earlier theories and he also denies some of the earlier theories

(पूर्वसिद्धान्तानां निराकरणम्). He accepts that there is importance for Rasa, Guna, Alamkaras,

Reeti, Vakroktihi, etc. But he claims that the soul is the Dhvani.

Introduction to Dhvanyaloka
Life and works of Aanandavardhana
Aanandavardhana is credited with creating the Dhvani theory. He wrote of dhvani (literally
meaning sound, or resonance) in regard to the “soul of poetry.” Anandavardhana said that
“When the poet writes, he creates a resonant field of emotions.”

आनन्दवर्धनः कस्य नासीत् आनन्दवर्धनः | “Whose Ananda did Anandavardhana fail to increase?” In

our country, the centre of all Shaastric studies has been Kashmir. Between the 8th century and

11th century, many great thoughts, be it in Nyaya, or Alamkaara or Naatya, originated from

Kashmir. Anandavardhana is also from Kashmir. Anandavardhana had that title of “राजानक”

that was awarded only in Kashmir. आनक is the drum. राजानक means the poet who makes the

fame of the king be known everywhere.Anandavardhana lived in the second half of 9th

century from 820 to 890 AD. Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is a metrical legendary and historical

chronicle of the north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly about the kings of Kashmir. It

was written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri Brahmin, Kalhana, in the 12th century AD. While describing

the king’s rule, he also mentions the poets that adorned their courts and the works produced

by them. A king named King Avantivarma is mentioned in this Raajatarangini to have been

ruling in the later half of 9th century. He wrote – मुक्ताकणः शिवस्वामी कविरानन्दवर्धनः । प्रथां

रत्नाकराश्चागात् साम्राज्येऽवन्तिवर्मणः ॥ In King Avantivarma’s court, these poets were present –

Muktaakana, Shivasvaami, Kavi Aanandavardhana and Ratnaakara.

Anandavardhana was an expert in Sanskrit and Prakruti languages. While citing examples in

Dhavanyaaloka, he would quote from his own works. For example, he would state “यथा मम

विषमभानलीलायाम्” – “As mentioned in my work – Vishama Bhaana Leela” and cite the example.

Vishama Bhaana Leela has been written in Prakruta. His works are Dhvanyaaloka – lakshana

granta, अर्जुनचरितम् – a mahaakavya;तत्त्वालोक – a dharshanika granta – a philosophical treatise;

Vishama Bhaana Leela; धर्मोत्तार्त्विवृति Dharmottartvivrti–a Buddhist doctrine; and a poem called

देवीशतकम् | Among the works of Anandavardhana, only Dhvanyaaloka and Devishatakam are

available now. In Devishatakam, 100 shlokas on Devi was written by him as ordained by Devi

who came in his dreams. This work comprises of beautiful shabdaalamkaara with the word

Saraswati. देव्या स्वप्नोद्गमादिष्ट-देवीशतक-सं ज्ञया देशितो अनुपमामादात् अथ नोणसुतो नुतिम् There he

refers to himself as नोणसुतः – so we get to know that his father’s name is Nona.

Abhinava Gupta
Abhinava Gupta has written the commentary for this work by name Lochana. He also wrote the

commentary called Abhinava Bharati for the Bharata’s Naatya Shaastra. Dhvanyaaloka is the

light of Dhvani. Since the light will be useful only when there are eyes, he has named his

commentary appropriately as Lochana or eyes. किं लोचनं विनालोको भाति चन्द्रिकयापि हि ।i.e.,

लोचनं विना आलोकः भाति किम्?

Even before Abhinava Gupta’s Lochana, there was an earlier commentary by an ancestor of

Abhinava Gupta himself and this work was called Chandrikaa or splendor. Hence Abhinava

Gupta includes चन्द्रिकयाअपि हि– even by using Chandrikaa |

Background of Dhvanyaaloka
The words of common people just convey one meaning. But the words of great poets continue
to resonate in our hearts and give numerous meanings as one reflects on it. He does not say it
explicitly. Yet these meanings appear in the minds of the readers. This is called Dhvani. The
true pleasure is experienced when the reader realizes something that is not explicitly stated. For
that, the readers need to be eligible – be knowledgeable to understand the hidden message.
John Keats says “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter”. The readers
should develop that sense of understanding the untold meaning.

Prior to Anandavardhana, the focus was only on the superfluous decorations of Kaavya like the

Alamkaara. Then the focus changed to Guna. For the object without the soul, whatever is the

decoration done, it will be like the decoration done for the dead body. अलम् means पूर्णम्. That

which is done to make a thing complete is the Alamkaara – अलं करोति इति अलं कारः | It makes

sense only to beautify something that has a life. Vaamana was the first one to think about the

soul of poetry. He wrote Kaavyaalamkaara Sutras. He stated “रितिरात्मा काव्यस्य”. There were
further debates on the soul of poetry. Anandavardhana proposed Dhvani as the soul of poetry.

Contribution of Anandavardhana to Alamkaara Shastra

Until the time of Anandavardhana, all the theorists were paying attention to the superficial

factors like figures of speech, alliteration, simile, metaphor, etc. It was Anandavardhana who

changed the course of Sanskrit Poetics. His period is a milestone. The era before and post

Anandavardhana are different. He propounded Dhvani. The true enjoyment of Kavya comes

due to the Dhvani. There are Vastu Dhvani, Alamkaara Dhvani and Rasa Dhvani, amongst which

Rasa Dhvani gives the supreme enjoyment. अलङ्कारत्वसाधनम् (explained below) is a major

contribution of Anandavardhana wherein he says that the Alamkaaras should be used as a

decoration to enhance the Dhvani. Also Anandavardhana was the first one to provide criticism

of a literary work as a whole. Until then, the critics were paying attention to only particular

stanzas, word or sentences. He discussed about Prabhanda Dhvani, the Dhvani or the main

sentiment that is present in the whole work.

Dhvanyaaloka
[Side Note: The general structure of shastras would be Sutras or Kaarikaas, Vaartikaas, and
Bhaashya. Kaarikas are the doctrine stated in verses. Sutras are aphorisms where the main
points are covered in a concise manner.Vaartikaas are Meta rules, in which another person
develops the original sutras further with his own contribution. Vruttis are explanations which are
a sort of paraphrase, to expand the ideas and to make the meaning clear. Bhashyamis a type of
commentary which tries to interpret the text in the light of further knowledge. For the
Vyaakarana Shaastra, Panini wrote the Sutras; Vararuchi wrote the Vaartikaas;and Patanjali
wrote the Bhaashyaa. ]

Dhvanyaaloka was written in the 9th century. Anandavardhana is referred to as Dhvanikaarah

as he proposed the Dhvani Theory. His point of view is that Dhvani, in particular, Rasa Dhvani,
is the soul of the poem.

This book also has another name called सहृदयालोकः | समानं हृदयं यस्य सः सहृदयः | Only a person

having the same interests will be able to appreciate and enjoy the poetry. Abhinava Gupta

wrote the commentary called Lochana for this Dhvanyaaloka written by Anandavardhana.

येषांकाव्यानुशीलनाभ्यासवशाद्विशदीभूतेमनोमुकु रेवर्णनीयतन्मयीभवनयोग्यतातेस्वहृदयसं वादभाजःसहृदयाः

| Abhinava Gupta gives this definition for the term सहृदयाः. Different types of poetry are to be
studied. Then the mind will start reflecting clearly like a mirror. In such a state, the purport of

the Kaavya will be understood. The similarity in heart will be achieved then. Such a person is

called a सहृदयः. This book shows light to such Sahrudayas and it is also called Sahrudayaaloka.

[Side Note on Rasa: When a person watches Sita Swayamvaram, he or she understands
Raama’s rati bhava when Rama sees Sita through vakra drushti. Though, he forgets later the
theater, Ramayana, Rama and Sita, etc., the young boy might continue to enjoy the feeling of
Romance for a longer time.

In the same way, even tragedy in any tragic drama दुरन्तं नाटकम् when expressed nicely gives a

good feeling. The tears brought out of the audience indicate the success of the work.

There should be poshana or enrichment of the Rasa. In another work, before Duryodhana
leaves for the war, it is mentioned that his wife, Bhanumati cried. The rise of the emotion of the
feeling of Vira is hampered. Rather than poshaka, it was a vighna. The feeling should always be
nurtured and enhanced. The process of catharsis happens in the minds of the connoisseur. i.e.,
the purging out of the inner instincts happens. It gives a sense of satisfaction.

Vira, Shringara and Karuna can only be the dominant sentiments. One of these can only be the
mukhya rasaa or Angi i.e., the possessor of organs of a literary work. Hasya can only be
supplementary or gauna rasaa or apradhaana or Anga i.e., the organ. ]

Structure of Dhvanyaaloka
The structure of Dhvanyaalokaconsists of Kaarikas and Vrutti. There is debate on whether the

Vruttiswere written by Anandavardhana. Dr. K. Krishnmoorthi and others in Karnataka are of

the opinion that the kaarikaa and the vritti are written by Anandavardhana. There are others in

North India and Kerala that opine that only the vritti was written by Anandavardhana. Dr. P.V.

Kane has written a book on “The History of Sanskrit Poetics”. In this he mentions that the

authors are different. Their opinion is probably based on the commentator named

Maheshwara, who mentioned that Bharata or someone else could have written the Kaarikaa.

Moreover, in the Lochana, Abhinava Gupta writes this way “इदम् आह वृत्तिकारः” – “So says the

author of the Vritti”. This has added to the controversy that the author of kaarikaa and the

vrutti could be different people.

[Side Note: P.V. Kane got Bharata Ratna award during the period of Rajendra Prasad. He is the
only Sanskrit Pandit to get this award. His Magnum Opus work is “The History of Dharma
Shaastra”].

Content of Dhvanyaaloka
There are four Udyotas in Dhvanyaaloka. (The entire text is present in KSOU MA).

In the first Udyota, it is declared that Dhvani is the Aatma of Kaavya. It is stressed that Dhvani
has to be prominent and it has to be suggested rather than being denoted or indicated. The
three Dhvani Virooda Vaadas are stated and the counter arguments are also provided to prove
that Dhvani indeed exists.

In the Second Udyota, the two major classifications of Dhvani namely Avivakshitavaachya and
Vivakshitaanyaparavaachya and their subtypes are mentioned. The status of Alamkaara and
Guna are also clarified.

In the Third Udyota, the suggestiveness of word and sentence is explained. The different types
are listed from the perspective of the Vyanjaka –the suggestive word, while in the earlier chapter
it was based on the Vyangya –the suggested meaning. The different factors causing the
suggestiveness in case of asamlakshyakramavyangya are explained. The significance of
auchitya or propriety is mentioned. It is stated that there should be one prominent Rasa. The
Guneebhootavyangya and Chitra Kaavya are also described.

In the Fourth Udyota, taking the example of Ramayana and Mahabhaarata, the literary criticism
of the entire work is mentioned.The concept of Samvaada or Correspondence and its type are
elaborated, with a clear guidance on what should be followed and what should be avoided.

First Udyota
Mangala Shloka
स्वेच्छाके सरिणःस्वच्छस्वच्छायायासितेन्दवः | त्रायन्तां वो मधुरिपोः प्रपन्नार्तिच्छिदो नखाः || (Meaning: Let

the claws of that Hari who manifested in the form of man-lion at His own will, which claws

have outshone the moon in their crystal white hue, and which quells the afflictions of His

devotees, protect you).

स्वेच्छाके सरिणःनखाः = Nails of him, who took the form of Kesari due to his own will rather than

due to any karma.

मधुरिपोःनखाः – Nails of Vishnu who is the enemy of Madhu.

स्वच्छस्वच्छायायासितेन्दवः = स्वच्छ+स्व+छाया+आयासित+इन्दवः= By their pure splendor, the nails

cause the crescent moons to feel exhausted (defeated or troubled due to shame).
स्वच्छ+स्व+छायया आयासितः इन्दुः यैः ते — They (Those nails) by which the moon was insulted due

to the brilliance of their shadow – i.e., their shine.

[Side Note: Due to तुगागमसन्धिः and श्चुत्वः, चकार is included between the ह्रस्वस्वर अकार in स्व

and छकार in छाया]

प्रपन्नार्तिच्छिदःनखाः= Nails of him, who destroys the sufferings of those who surrender on to him.

प्रपन्न= Those who surrender to god; आर्ति = suffering; छिदः = tears off

वः त्रायन्ताम् –Let them protect you all (this includes the author and the readers also).

Abhinava Gupta shows that Anandavardhana included the 3 types of Dhvani namely Vastu
Dhvani, Alamkaara Dhvani and Rasa Dhvani in his mangala shloka itself.

Vastu Dhvani
Vastu Dhvani is a suggested idea/thing comes to our mind when we read about the idea/thing
that is mentioned.

The luster of the nails is many-folds brighter than the shine of the moon. That it is brighter is not
stated directly. But saying that the moon felt shy, the brightness of the nails has been
suggested. This luster is being suggested. So it is Vastu Dhvani. It is suggested that he is
extraordinary when compared to other lions as he took the form on his own desire while the
other lion are on account of their Karma. The nails destroy the sufferings of the devotees. He
does not need any other tool. His nails are enough for him. This is the idea being suggested.
Also the idea that he is brimming with energy to protect the devotees is being suggested.

Alamkara Dhvani
Alamkara or figure of speech should be suggested or expressed without being told explicitly. It
should not be openly said or denoted. Examples of Alamkara are Upama, Ropaka, Athisayokti,
etc.

By the shine of the nails, even the moon has been defeated. This is Vyatireka alamkara where

the upameya (say the face) is considered to be superior to the upamaana (say the lotus). यत्र

उपमानात् उपमेयम् अतिशयत्वं प्राप्नोति तत्र व्यतिरेकालं कारः भवति | “व्यतिरेको विषयस्ते उपमानो

उपमेययोः” is the definition of Vyatireka in Kuvalayaananda. The nails are the upameyaas. The

crescent moon is the upamaana. But here the poet has suggested that the nails / upameyaas

are better than the moon/ upamaana.

Rasaadi Dhvani
Rasa or Bhava, etc. should be suggested by what is said by the poet.

The devotion of the poet towards Lord Narasimha is suggested when he says that he can
protect you all. So the Bhakti bhaavaa is suggested. Rasaadi means Rasa, Bhaava, etc.
According to this system, there are only 9 rasas namely – Shringaara, Haasya, Karuna, Raudra,
Veera, Bhayaanaka, Bheebatsa, Adbhuta, and Shanta. Among these, in this shloka, Veera
Rasa with the staayibhaava of utsaaha is suggested here. Vishnu and his nails are ever
enthusiastic to protect the devotees.

Introduction to Dhvani
योऽर्थः सहृदयश्लाघ्यः काव्यात्मेति व्यवस्थितः |वाच्यप्रतीयमानाख्यौ तस्य भेदावुभौ स्मृतौ||1.२ ||</*>

यः अर्थः सहृदय-श्लाघ्यः काव्य+आत्मा+इति व्यवस्थितः |वाच्य+प्रतीयमान+आख्यौ तस्य भेदौ उभौ स्मृतौ ||

That sense (यः+अर्थः) which wins the approbation (admiration) of sensitive critics (सहृदय+श्लाघ्यः)

is declared to be the soul of poetry(काव्य+आत्मा+इतिव्यवस्थितः). The “denotative” and the

“suggestive” (वाच्य+प्रतीयमाना+आख्यौ)are considered to be its two aspects (तस्य भेदौउभौ स्मृतौ).

Types of meanings
We have come across the three types of meanings namely वाच्यार्थः, लक्ष्यार्थः and प्रतीयमानार्थः |

Vaachya is the default meaning. Everyone understands it. In the Alamkaaras like upamaa, these

meanings are being used. बहुधा व्याकृ तः सोऽन्यैः काव्यलक्ष्मविधायिभिः |- – – ततो नेह प्रतन्यते ||1.३||

(Meaning: The denotative conventional meaning is generally known and it has already been

covered in many ways through figures of speech such as simile by other writers. Since it has

been elaborately discussed earlier, it is not being discussed here in detail.

प्रतीयमानं पुनरन्यदेव वस्त्वस्ति वाणीषु महाकवीनाम्|</***>

यत्तत्प्रसिद्धावयवातिरिक्तं विभाति लावण्यमिवांगनासु||1.४||</*>

(Meaning: But the suggestive aspect is distinct from this explicit – denotative – conventional

meaning (प्रतीयमानं पुनःअन्यत् एव). It shows itself brilliantly in the words(वाणीषु) of celebrated
poets (महाकवीनाम्)and reigns supreme over and above (अतिरिक्तं विभाति) the striking external

elements (प्रसिद्ध+ अवयव, even as charm among ladies(लावण्यम् इव अङ्गनासु)).

In the works of the great poets, there is a third type of meaning, which is different from Vaachya
and Lakshya. The prasiddha avayava of kaavya are shabda and artha. For the Kaavyas, the
chaarutva is got by the shabda alamkaaras and sangatana chaaturya is got by the shabda
gunas, the swaroopas are got by Arthaalamkaaras, and the sangatana dharmas are got by the
arthagunas – these are all the popular organs of the Kaavya. That which is different for all
these, and which attracts us the very moment we notice it, is found in the prateeyamaanaartha.
This is similar to the beauty seen in women that is different all the beauty of the individual
organs. Only a sahrudaya will be able to appreciate this third type of meaning.

[Side Note: Laavanya is the bhaava of lavana or salt. It is the lakshanaartha that has come in
roodi to indicate charmness. Laavanya indicates the charm that overtakes the other features. ]

Example of Dhvani – Suggested nisheda

The vyangya vastu will be different from the Vaachya vastu. The vyangyaalamkaara will be
different from the Vaachyaalamkaara. The rasaadi Dhvani will be different and better than the
rasavadaadyalamkaara. The vaachyaartha might be a vidhi or an instruction to do something.
But the vyangyaartha might be a nisheda or a prohibition that it should not be done.

स हि कदाचिद्वाच्ये विधिरूपे प्रतिषेधरूपः |</**>| 1.4 ++ |

सः हि कदाचित् वाच्ये विधिरूपे प्रतिषेधरूपः |

Sometimes the suggestive idea will be prohibitive, where as the denotative (conventional)
meaning is positive in nature.

भ्रम धार्मिक विस्रब्धः स शुनकोऽद्य मारितस्तेन | गोदावरीनदीकू ललतागहनवासिना दृप्तसिंहेन ||

(Meaning: Freely (विस्रब्धः) roam (भ्रम) about, O Ascetic! That dog (सः शुनकः) which you were

afraid of, has been killed (मारितः)recently(अद्य) by (तेन)the ferocious lion (दृप्त+सिंहेन) that dwells

(लतागहन+वासिना)on the bank of Godavari river (गोदावरी+नदी+कू ल).

Suggested meaning: “Don’t worry that there is no privacy. The person who used to haunt us has

been removed away by a more powerful person. So we can’t meet”.Here a woman tells a

person who comes to meet her place that he could come freely now as the dog that used to
bark at him has now been killed by a lion. Here though she says roam around freely, the hidden

meaning is that you cannot walk around freely due to the presence of the lion. The

interpretation is based on the context. It could mean that there is a bigger danger now

compared to the smaller nuisance that was faced earlier. There are examples of other cases of

suggestion like the case where the denoted meaning is to not do while the suggested

meaning is to do. There could also be the cases where the suggested meaning is (अनुभय)

neither vidhi nor nisheda.

Example of Dhvani – Suggested vidhi

A woman is living with her blind-in-laws while her husband has gone out of town for a long

time. A traveler पथिकःhappens to stay in her house. She is attracted. She tells him to note

where each person sleeps. She points to her bed and tells him not to come over there in the

night. The suggested meaning is that she wants him to comeand meether.

श्वश्रूरत्र शेते (अथवा निमज्जति) अत्राहं दिवसकं प्रलोकय |मा पथिक रात्र्यन्धः शय्यायामावयोः शयिष्ठाः ||

श्वश्रूः अत्र शेते (अथवा निमज्जति) अत्र अहं दिवसकं प्रलोकय |मा पथिक रात्रि अन्धः शय्यायाम्+आवयोः

शयिष्ठाः ||

“Mother-in-law lies here, fast asleep. I will be here. You shall know these before it gets dark. O
traveler, don’t you tumble into our beds blinded by night”.

In this example, the conventional (explicit) meaning prohibits the action whereas the suggestive
(implicit) meaning approves of the proposal.

Example of Dhvani –Neither vidhi nor nisheda

कस्य वा न भवति रोषो दृष्ट्वा प्रियायाः सव्रणमधरम् |</*>सभ्रमरपद्माघ्राणशीले वारितवामे

सहस्वेदानीम्||<//*>| 1.4 ++ |

कस्य वा न भवति रोषः दृष्ट्वा प्रियायाः सव्रणम् अधरम् |सभ्रमर+पद्म+आघ्राण+शीले वारित+वामे सहस्व

इदानीम् ||

Whose rage is not aroused when one sees the lower lip of his beloved being hurt? You, who are
habituated to smell the lotus flower with the bee inside, being indifferent to my caution, face the
situation (now).

Sometimes, the suggested meaning relates to something which is absolutely different from that
with which the conventional meaning is associated. Here the lady’s friend is cautioning her
about the consequences that she has to face from her husband if she continues to visit her
lover.

Rasa is suggested
स्वशब्देन सा के वलमनूद्यते, न तु तत्कृ ता | </*>1.4 ++ |

स्वशब्देन सा के वलम् अनूद्यते, न तु तत्कृ ता |

The experience of sentiments, etc., can never be restricted by the proper name though it gets its
name. In reality, we do not experience sentiments, etc., in all instances where proper names are
employed.

i.e., The rasa is not experienced by the mere mention of the name of the rasa. The rasa is
suggested by the description of the characters. We clearly experience the rasa in cases where
the name is not explicitly stated. Therefore, stating of name of the rasa merely reinstates the
rasa and it does not cause the readers to experience the rasa.

Rasadhvani is the soul of poetry

काव्यस्यात्मा स एवार्थस्तथा चादिकवेः पुरा|</*>क्रौञ्चद्वन्द्ववियोगोत्थः शोकः श्लोकत्वमागतः|| 1.५ ||</**>

काव्यस्यात्मा सः एव+अर्थः+तथा च+आदिकवेः पुरा |क्रौञ्च-द्वन्द्व-वियोग+उत्थः शोकः श्लोकत्वम्+आगतः ||

That meaning (Rasadhvani) alone is the soul of poetry. This is quite evident from the very

incident of the first poet’s Valmiki’s grief which become evoked (in him) due to the wailing of

the separate Kraunca bird (from its male mate drenched in pool of blood), which struck the

inner core of the sage so as to present the flow of poetry.सः एव+अर्थः = प्रतीयमान अर्थः|

The sage Valmiki experiences Karuna Rasa as an outcome of the total attainment of the
situation. The Karunca bird which became killed forms the Aalambana vibhaava and the same
rolling in the pool of blood forms the Uddeepana Vibhaava. The wailing of the female Kraunca
bird becomes the Anubhaava. In this way, the shoka of the sage raises itself to the level of
Karuna Rasa in his experience and later it obtains the form of a Shloka. Abhinava Gupta
describes the manner of realizing the sentiments in general. The sensation of emotion of grief is
actual, personal, individual and painful. The sentiment of pathos is ideal, generic, univerasal and
pleasurable. This change from the actual to the ideal is effected by the universal sympathy of
the percipient (observer) with the emotional experiences of the individual. It became converted
into pathetic sentiment and was enjoyed by him in the form of absolute bliss. It was this infinite
joy realized by the abundant sympathy of the sage poet that flooded his heart and expressed
itself in the form of a Shloka.

शोको हि करुणस्थायिभावः|</*> | 1.5 ++ |

शोकः हि करुण+स्थायिभावः |

Sorrow (shoka) is the abiding emotion (sthaayibhaava) which stands as the sentiment of pathos
(karuna). It will be of the nature of suggestion. Example – The grief of the first poet Valmiki
became transformed into a Shloka.

Only like-minded people can appreciate

शब्दार्थशासनज्ञानमात्रेणैव न वेद्यते| वेद्यते स तु काव्यार्थतत्त्वज्ञैरेव के वलम्|| ७ ||</***>

शब्दार्थ+शासन+ज्ञान+मात्रेणएव न वेद्यते | वेद्यते सः तु काव्यार्थ+तत्त्वज्ञैःएव के वलम् || ७ ||

That meaning cannot be comprehended by the mere knowledge of the rules of grammar (word
and sense) but can be realised only by those who have understood the real significance of
poetry. (7)

This Dhvani or vyangyaarthaa will not be understandable by everyone. Only काव्यार्थतत्त्वज्ञः or

the connoisseurs or experts in poetry can understand the suggested meaning. Ordinary people

cannot understand.

Eg. In Kumaarasambhava, when Parvathi’s tapas is described. That it is as per Yoga shastra
can be understood only by those who are aware of it. This demonstrates that only
knowledgeable people would be able to appreciate this inner meaning.

[Side Note: Example from Kalidaasa’s Kumaarasambhava

स्थिता: क्षणं पक्ष्मसु ताडिताधरा: पयोधरोत्सेधनिपातचूर्णिता:।

वलीषु तस्या: स्खलिता: प्रपेदिरे चिरेण नाभिं प्रथमोदबिन्दव:।।

“The first drop of rain water प्रथमोदबिन्दव:falling on her at the advent of the rainy season. On

the lashes of the eyes, that water droplet stood for only one moment – स्थिता: क्षणं पक्ष्मसु. It hit

her on the lips ताडिताधरा:They fell on her breasts and split into tiny droplets –

पयोधरोत्सेधनिपातचूर्णिता: | They jumped on the folds of her stomach and hesitated तस्या: वलीषु
स्खलिता:प्रपेदिरे| After sometime चिरेण, they flowed down and entered her navel बिन्दव:नाभिं

प्रथमोद | In the poetry of high standards, the suggested meaning should be present and it will

be more attractive and beautiful. Kalidasa is suggesting the secret of Yoga. When doing

penance, the eye should neither be completely open nor should it completely closed.

नासाग्रन्यस्तनयन: सं वृतास्यः सुनिश्चलः ध्यायीत मनसा देवं पुरोविष्टभ्य चागृत <TODO – Quote to be

verified> [ Similar Quote from the internet — समग्रीवशिराः सम्यक् सं वृतास्यः सुनिश्चलः ॥

प्राङ्मुखोदङ्मुखो वाऽपि नासाग्रन्यस्तलोचनः । ] That ‘the eyes should be pointed at the nose’ is

described in the Yoga shastra. If she had closed her eyes, the rain drop would not have stayed

there. If she had kept her eyes fully open, then they would stay there and not fall down. That

the drop fell down after a second suggests that her eyes were half-open. The mouth should

not be open during dhyaanaa, when done in the right yogic posture. So the drop fell on her

lower lip. Her lips were so soft that it just did not flow. The fall of the drop hurt her lips. While

standing in tapas, one should not be stooping or bending. The person should stand firm and

erect. Since she stood straight without bending, it fell on her breasts. ]

Need for vaachyaartha

आलोकार्थी यथा दीपशिखायां यत्नवाञ्जनः |तदुपायतया तद्वदर्थे वाच्ये तदादृतः||1.९||</*>

आलोक+अर्थी यथा दीप+शिखायां यत्नवान्+जनः |तत्+उपायतया तद्वत्+अर्थे वाच्ये तत्+आदृतः || ९ ||

Meaning: In the same manner(यथा – तद्वत्) as a man(जनः) intent upon seeing an object in

darkness (आलोक+अर्थी), puts forth his efforts(यत्नवान्) towards fetching a lamp

(दीप+शिखायां)owing to its being a means to realise his goal (of seeing the object)

(तत्+उपायतया) one who is very much interested (तत्+आदृतः) in the suggested meaning (अर्थे)

would at the outset direct his effort towards (understanding) the conventional meaning (वाच्ये).

Like the person who carries a lantern if he needs the light, in the same way, to be able to

understand the vyangyaartha, the vaachyaartha is required. Though he does not want the

flame of the lamp, and he wants the light only, he still brings the deepa shikaa because without

the flame, there is not going to be any light. The flame of lamp is just an upaayaa – a means to
the required end. Vachyaartha is the upaaya or the means. Vengyaartha is the upeya or desired

goal. Vengyaartha could come from Vaachyaartha or Lakshyaartha. Lakshanaa is a vyaapaara or

function where a meaning is indicated. There can be only one Vaachyaartha. There could be

many intended or suggested meanings. In Mammata’s Kavya Prakaasha, he gives the example

of गतोस्तमर्कः |i.e., गतः+अस्तम्+अर्कःor अर्कः अस्तम् गतः| The vaachyaartha is that the sun has set.

The Vaidhika Brahmana understands that it is time for Sandhya vandana. The thief thinks that

he should start his work. The students want to start studying. Based on the nature of the

listener, the message conveyed differs.

The Definition of Dhvani

यत्रार्थः शब्दो वा तमर्थमुपसर्जनीकृ तस्वार्थौ | व्यङ्क्तः काव्यविशेषः स ध्वनिरिति सूरिभिः कथितः ||

१३||</*>यत्र+अर्थः शब्दः+वा तम्+अर्थम्+उपसर्जनी+कृ तस्वार्थौ |व्यङ्क्तः काव्य+विशेषः सः ध्वनिः+इति सूरिभिः

कथितः || १३ ||

(Meaning: The conventional word शब्दः and the conventional meaning अर्थः (स्व+अर्थौ = स्व +

शब्दः + अर्थः) are abandoned उपसर्जनी+कृ त | They become suggested word or meaning. अर्थः

शब्दःवाव्यङ्क्तः | व्यङ्क्तः = प्रतीयमानः अर्थः भवति | That is a specialty of the poem called Dhvani.

That kind of poetry in which the conventional meaning or the conventional word renders its

meaning sub-ordinate and suggests the intended or implied meaning, is termed “Dhvani” or

“suggestive poetry” by the learned people).

Some time the meaning subdues itself and gives a more beautiful meaning. In other cases, the

word does this. It can be shabda shakti mula dhvani or artha shakti mula dhvani. The वा here

does not mean that it is either artha or shabda. The intention here is that when Artha is

prominent in conveying the Dhvani, the word will be subordinate to it and similarly when

Shabda is prominent in conveying the Dhvani, the meaning will be subordinate to it. The

term उपसर्जनीकृ तस्वार्थौ is in dvivachana indicating both are there. When the suggested

meaning is overtaken by the denoted word and meaning, that Kaavya is considered to be a

Dhvani by the scholars. Upasarjana means “being subservient”i.e., taking the guneebhaava or
secondary position without having praadhaanyam. Artha subsides by itself अर्थः

उपसर्जनीकृ तस्वार्थः, while shabda makes its meaning subside शब्दः तमर्थम् उपसर्जनीकृ तस्वार्थः| In

that situation, it is called Dhvani Kaavya.

Many alamkaaras like अप्रस्तुतप्रशं सा, समासोक्तिः, विषेशोक्तिः, आक्षेप, पर्यायोक्तः, etc. have some

suggested meaning in them.If the suggestion is not prominent, then it becomes Gunibhoota

Vyangya and this gunibhoota vyangya is a type of Alamkaara only. Paryaayokta is the indirect

expression of something which cannot openly be avowed. “भ्रम धार्मिक विस्रब्धः” can be taken to

be an example of this alamkara पर्यायोक्तः| But that has been given as an example of Dhvani. It

is true that it qualifies to be an alamkara and a Dhvani. But due to the prominence of Dhvani

and since the Alamkaara is just supplementary पर्यायोक्तस्याङ्गित्वेन, it is taken to be a Dhvani

and also, all Dhvani cannot be equated to this Paryaayoktaalamkaara. Anandavardhana refers

to this superiority of Dhvani (mahaavishaya) over an Alamkaara (alpavishaya) and concludes

that in those cases the Alamkaara cannot be treated to be Dhvani itself.

व्यङ्ग्यप्राधान्येहि ध्वनिः |</*> | 1.13+|

Aanandavardhana authoritatively declares that suggestion becomes possible only when the

suggested element is absolutely prominent. This is not so in समासोक्ति (concise speech or

condensed metaphor) and the like.

Dhvani Defn –Example of non-prominent suggestion

उपोढरागेण विलोलतारकं तथा गृहीतं शशिना निशामुखम् |</****>

यथा समस्तं तिमिरांशुकं तया पुरोऽपि रागाद्गलितं न लक्षितम् ||<//****>| 1.13+|

उपोढ-रागेण विलोल-तारकं तथा गृहीतं शशिना निशा-मुखम् |

यथा समस्तं तिमिर+अं शुकं तया पुरः अपि रागात् गलितं न लक्षितम् ||

The twilight with twinkling stars became brightened by the moon glowing red suddenly so that
the whole mass of darkness vanishing in the east due to brightness was not noticed at all.

With reference to the lady, it means “The heroine’s face with its bright pupils was kissed by the
hero overcome by passion with such intense love that the black garment which she had put on
slipped away even in the very front was not at all noticed due to intense love.”

It is the explicit meaning which alone remains prominent and the suggested meaning serves
only as subservient to it. In this stanza, the main purport is the description of the night and the
moon over which the disposition of a heroine and of a hero are ascribed to them. This attribution
is secondary only.

In this illustration, the words though are primarily addressed to the moon and the night, also
refer to in an implicit way to the disposition of a lover and the beloved, which has been heaped
on moon and the night. Therefore the suggested sense is subservient to the conventional
meaning. Hence Dhvani can never be included in Samaasookti.

Samasokti is compound statement / concise speech. The words of the stanza have double
meaning. Note the pun in raaga – meaning redness and love. Taraka means pupil as well as
stars. Purah means in front of her and also in the east. Note the masculine gender word for
moon and feminine gender word for night.

Dhvani Defn – Dhvani is not a limb

न चावयव एवपृथग्भूतोऽवयवीति प्रसिद्धः |</*> | 1.13+|

न च+अवयव एवपृथक् +भूतः अवयवी+इति प्रसिद्धः |

“अवयवी अवयव नएव | अवयवीपृथक् +भूतःच |” इति प्रसिद्धःThe limbs cannot be thought of as

body.

Dhvani cannot be brought under other heads. It is because of the declaration that it is only the

full-fledged kinds of poetry that could be called Dhvani. The limbs of poetry are figures of

speech, qualities (Gunas) and varieties of diction (वृत्त्यः).The limbs cannot be thought of as body.

When we consider them together, it will be a part of the whole but never identical with the

whole. Even granting that identity may be possible in some of the instances, suggestive poetry

cannot be deemed as conditioned by its limbs stated above, since Dhvani is quite extensive.

Dhvani Defn – The name was given by Grammarians

‘सूरिभिः कथित’ इति विद्वदुपज्ञेयमुक्तिः,न तु यथाकथञ्चित्प्रवृत्तेति प्रतिपाद्यते |

प्रथमे हि विद्वांसो वैयाकरणाः</*>,

व्याकरणमूलत्वात्सर्वविद्यानाम् | ते च श्रूयमाणेषुवर्णेषु ध्वनिरिति व्यवहरन्ति | 1.13+|

The expression“सूरिभिःकथित” brings forth the idea that this name was first given by the

learned only and that it has not emerged somehow. The Supreme among the learned are

grammarians for, grammar is the very root of all studies. It is only they who designate the

articulate letters by the term Dhvani. Since the aspect of suggestion is common to both, the

word and its meaning, its essential verbal potency and also poetry have all been named Dhvani

by other learned people who have a deeper insight into the fundamental essence of poetry

and who closely follow the principles laid down by grammarians. This theory of Dhvani being

very comprehensive can never be deemed to be on equal status with the specific figures of

speech. So Suggestion does exist and it is different from Alamkara.

Dhavani Defn –Example – Dhvani

सुवर्णपुष्पां पृथिवीं चिन्वन्ति पुरुषास्त्रयः |</*>शूरश्च कृ तविद्यश्च यश्च जानाति सेवितुम्||<//*></*>| 1.13+|

सुवर्ण+पुष्पां पृथिवीं चिन्वन्ति पुरुषाः त्रयः |शूरः च कृ तविद्यः चयः च जानाति सेवितुम् ||

There are plenty of golden flowers in this world. Only 3 types of people can gather it – namely
warriors (valorous in battle), Scholar (one who has mastered any vidya) and people who know
how to serve. (Three men will collect flowers of gold out of the earth – the courageous, the
learned and he who knows how to serve. Mahaabharata – 5.35.64)

This is an example of Deepaka alamkaara. Three people have the same common factor of
being able to gather the golden flowers. The prominence is for the one who serves. The
common factor applies to the other two types of people also. Deepa iva deepakam. Like the
deepa lit in the door step, that lights up the space within the house, also lights outside.

Dhvani is classified into two, namely अविवक्षितवाच्य (unintended literal import) and

विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्य (intended but further extending literal import). In the first one, the literal

sense is not intended. In the second one, the literal sense is intended, but is subordinated to a

second meaning. This is an example of the first one, avivakshitavaachya. The flower of gold

means success or worldly advancement.

Dhavani Defn – Example

शिखरिणिक्वनुनामकियच्चिरं किमभिधानमसावकरोत्तपः।</*>

तरुणियेनतवाधरपाटलं दशतिबिम्बफलं शुकशावकः।।1.13+|

शिखरिणिक्वनुनाम? कियत् चिरम् ?किम् अभिधानम् असौ अकरोत् तपः।</*>

तरुणियेनतव अधरपाटलं दशतिबिम्बफलं शुकशावकः।।1.13+|

हे तरुणि | येन तपसा शुकशावकः तव अधरपाटलं बिम्बफलं दशति, किम् अभिधानम् असौ तपः अकरोत् ?

क्व नु नाम शिखरिणि तपः अकरोत् ? कियत् चिरं तपः अकरोत् ?

A person tells the parrot that it is very fortunate and it must have done a lot of penance. “On

which mountain and for how long a time did this young parrot perform penance and what

might be the name of the penance? For, this young parrot has been chewing the bimba fruit

which is as red (paatala) as your lips”. Here the suggested meaning is that he envies it as he was

not able to reach his lover whereas the bird was able to enjoy its object of love, the fruit. At a

high level, Dhvani is classified into two, namely अविवक्षितवाच्य (unintended literal import) and

विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्य (intended but further extending literal import). In this, the literal sense is

intended, but is subordinated to a second meaning. So it is विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्य.

In its implication, this is a eulogy addressed to a lady by an impassioned lover, who

communicates to her his secret desire in an artful manner. What is suggested is a parallel
between the action of the parrot and that of the lover. The speaker wishes he were in the
position of the parrot, in relation to the maiden’s lips. This meaning, it is argued, flows directly
from the expressed meaning of the sentence; there is no secondary meaning here because the
literal meaning that “the lucky parrot is pecking at the plum that is red like your lip” is intact.

[Side Note: On closer examination, however, we notice that the description of the parrot is the
non-contextual meaning – the lover cannot simply be saying “What a lucky guy the parrot must
be to peck the plum!” Such a remark would be rather pointless in the lover’s context. This
consideration, together with other telltale signs, such as the absurdity of a parrot performing a
penance and the likening of the plum to the lady’s lips (which would also have been pointless
without an amorous intent on the part of the speaker), leads to the suggestion of a parallel
between the explicit subject (the parrot) and the implicit subject (the would-be lover), the latter
being the contextual or relevant meaning. Thus, even in this case, there is obstruction to the
surface meaning, on the basis of which we arrive at the implied contextual meaning – the
parallel of the lover relishing the maiden’s lips. (Source: Sanskrit Criticism By V. K. Chari) ]

Abhaava-vaada and its Khandana

There are three different schools of Dhvani-abhaava-vaadas which maintain that there is no
Dhvani. The first group says that all the beautifying factors of poetry have already been stated
by earlier writers. It may be Alamkaara, Guna, Reeti or Vritti. Prasthaanas are the major
concepts that have been put forth by earlier alamkaarikas. There cannot be something new
which can beautify the poetry called Dhvani.

The second group says that if Dhvani is something new other than what is already stated, then

it must be a dosha or fault. If it is not Alamkaara, Guna, Reeti or Vritti, it cannot be something

that beautifies the poetry and it has to be only a defect or blemish. नास्त्येव ध्वनिः |

प्रसिद्धप्रस्थानव्यतिरेकिणःकाव्यप्रकारस्य काव्यत्वहानेः|

The third group says that the varieties of descriptions are endless. Therefore there is an
increase ofthe number of alamkaaras in all the texts.

[Side Note: We find that in the history of poetics. First, Bharat stated only 4 alamkaaras –
Upamaa, Roopakam, Deepakam, and Yamakam. Later writers like Bhaamah increased it to 36.
And then in Kavya Prakaasha, there are 60. In Kuvalayaananda, there are more than 100. ]

The ways or the manners, in which a poet can describe any object is not limited. And therefore,

you might have shown some other way of description. It is like some other type of a new

Alamkaara. So it is not a new concept. It has to be just another type of Alamkaara. And many

more new alamkaaras could come in future also. They do not demand any special importance.

There are different ways of Vaakvikalpa – these are all creativity of the poet. न

सम्भवत्येवध्वनिर्नामापूर्वः कश्चित् | कामनीयकमनतिवर्तमानस्य तस्योक्तेष्वेवचारुत्वहेतुष्वन्तर्भावात् |If this

Dhvani adds Manohara or enjoyment to the poetry, it can be also be considered as a new type

of one of the existing concepts like Alamkaara or Guna. They ask the Dhvani supporters to not

close their eyes and keep dancing about Dhvani. तस्मात् प्रवादमात्रं ध्वनिः| Dhvani is not truth. It is

a Pravaada, that which is simply spreading among a set of people.

For the first one, Anandavardhana argues that Dhvani is different from the earlier stated
concepts. In Dhvani, the suggested meaning is one which is not explicitly stated, yet it is
understood by the Sahrudayaas.

[Side Note: In Chitra Meemaamsaa, Appaiya Deekshita quotes an example

काञ्चित् काञ्चनगौराङ्गी वीक्ष्य साक्षादिव श्रियम् वरदः सं शयापन्नो वक्षःस्थलमवैक्षत|

अन्वयः — साक्षात्श्रियम् इव काञ्चित्काञ्चनगौराङ्गीवीक्ष्यसं शयापन्नः वरदः वक्षःस्थलम् अवैक्षत|

In Kanchi, there is Varadaraaja Swamy Temple. Once, during the Vasanthostava, Varadaraajaa

himself comesto play with the devotees. At that time, he notices a woman. She is काञ्चन–

गौराङ्गी i.e., she is some ladyhaving a golden yellowish body; साक्षात्श्रियम् इव – She resembled

Goddess Lakshmi Herself. वरदः सं शयम् आपन्नः – Lord Varada was confused and वक्षःस्थलम् अवैक्षत

– he looked at his heart. The poet has not stated why he looked at his heart. His heart is the

seat of Lakshmi as she is vakshassthala vaasini. Some readers will assume that Varada wants to

check if Lakshmi has left that place and has come here in person. A second person might think

that Varada looked at his heart to compare Lakshmi with the lady. Another reader could

interpret it in this way – Since Lakshmi has the arrogance that she is only the most beautiful

woman, Varada wants to see her reaction when this lady with golden complexion is in front of

him. ]

There could be many suggested meanings and it cannot be classified as any other earlier
defined entity. The great poets have included this Dhvani in their poems. The readers enjoy this
suggestion which is different from the other alamkaaras.

Anandavardhana points out that great poets like Valmiki and Vyasaa have also used this. He
states that he is not saying something new. So this suggestion definitely exists.

वाल्मीकिव्यासमुख्याश्च ये प्रख्याताः कवीश्वराः |तदभिप्रायबाह्योऽयं नास्माभिर्दर्शितो नयः .. इति || ३.१९

end||

वाल्मीकि+व्यास+मुख्याःच ये प्रख्याताः कवि+ईश्वराः |तत्अभिप्राय+बाह्यःअयं नअस्माभिः दर्शितःनयः इति ||

The principles laid down are in-keeping with the features followed by celebrated poets such as
Vaalmiki, Vyaasa and the like.

For the second school, which consider anything new to be dosha or a fault only,
Anandavardhana says that since the readers enjoy the suggestive rasa, it cannot be considered
to be a negative aspect. He says that he can only pity such people, who say that Dhvani is a
defect, who fail to recognize the Ananda produced by Dhvani.

For the third school, who claim that Dhvani is nothing new but another alamkaara,
Anandavardhana explains how Dhvani is different from the other alamkaaras. Dhvani is
something that is understood on account of the alamkaara. Alamkaara itself could suggest
various meanings. Lakshyaartha could suggest a different meaning. There are shabha shakti
mula dhvani and artha shakti mula dhvani and endless varieties like that. Alamkara,
Vachyaartha, Lakshyaartha, etc. could suggest a different meaning and the suggested meaning
is the Dhvani. Therefore, Dhvani is not just another alamkaara. Dhvani is a separate entity
conveying that suggested meaning. (Refer the notes earlier on how Dhvani differs from
Alamkara). Thus Anandavardhan established that there is a third type of meaning called Dhvani
or Vyangyaartha.

Bhaakta Vaada and its Khandana

In the Bhaakta Vaada, the Bhaaktaas say that the vyangyaartha can be included in
Bhaktyaartha itself. When the denoted meaning is not applicable, any way we are taking a
different meaning. Let Dhvani also be that Bhaktyaartha.

Anandavardhana points out that – there is difference in the forms between the Bhaktyaartha i.e.,
Lakshyaartha, and the Dhvanyartha. In Gangaayaam Ghosha, if Vaachyaartha is the stream,
the Lakshyaartha is the bank. The purpose which is to indicate the qualities of sacredness and
chillness is not explicitly indicated in the Lakshyaartha. So this is Dhvani. If just to make sense
of the sentence, instead of the denoted meaning or the Mukhyaartha, the indicated meaning or
the Lakshanaa is taken, then it is not Dhvani. Thus there is Bhakti without Dhvani and they both
cannot be the same.

भक्त्या बिभर्ति नैकत्वम् रूपभेदादयं ध्वनिः |……अतिव्याप्तेरथाव्याप्तेर्न चासौ लक्ष्यते तया || 1.14 || <*>

भक्त्या बिभर्ति न+एकत्वम् रूपभेदात्+अयं ध्वनिः |….अतिव्याप्तेः+अथ+अव्याप्तेः+न च+असौ लक्ष्यते तया |

Suggestion and secondary signification are not one and the same because of the innate

difference between the two. अयं ध्वनिःरूपभेदात् भक्त्या एकत्वं नबिभर्ति |If that is considered

identical with suggestion, it commits the fallacies of “too wide” a definition and “too narrow” a

definition.

Among the three functions of the word, the second function is called Lakshana Vyaapaara or
Bhakti. Believers of Bhakti are Bhaktaas. They are also called as Laakshanikaas. Suggestion
and Bhakti are different since their forms are different (roopa bheda).

[Side Note: The three doshaas in definitions are Athivyaapti, avyaapti and asambhavaa. What is

a cow? को नाम गौः ? (गो shabda can be used in both male and female gender). If the definition is

given as that which has 2 hornsand 4 legs (शृङ्गी चतुष्पात्), it becomes athivyaapi since there are

many other animals that this definition will apply. If the definition is given as that which has 4
legs and white coloured skin, it becomes avyaapti since there are cows which are not in white

color and the definition does not cover all the cows. If the definition is given as that which has

3 horns, it is asambhavaa as it is not possible. ]

If lakshanaa is stated to be same as Dhvani, there will be athivyaapti and avyaapti doshaas.
There are many examples where the poet is describing a situation and a certain emotion (rasa)
that is delineated or understood. In such cases, there is no lakshana and yet we get dhvani
directly from the vaachyaartha.

मुख्यार्थबाधे तद्योगे रूढितोऽथ प्रयोजनात् ।अन्योऽर्थो लक्ष्यते यत्सा लक्षणारोपिता क्रिया ॥ काप्र-९ ॥

मम्मटः- काव्यप्रकाश

For lakshanaa, the primary meaning should be unacceptable. There has to be bhaadaa or

obstruction of the primary meaning. सिंहो मानवकःThat boy is a lion. Here the term lion

indicates ferociousness, aggressiveness, and other such qualities in the boy. Only when there is

inconsistency in the meaning, the lakshanaa is taken.

In Meghadoota, the Yaksha is cursed to live away from his wife for one year.

यक्षश्‍चक्रे जनकतनयास्‍नानपुण्‍योदके षु स्निग्‍धच्‍छायातरुषु वसतिं रामगिर्याश्रमेषु।।

यक्षः+चक्रे जनक-तनया-स्नान-पुण्य-उदके षुस्निग्ध-छाया-तरुषु वसतिं रामगिरि-आश्रमेषु।।१।।

He took residence among the hermitages of Ramagiri,where the trees give cool shade,and the
waters are purified by the baths of Janaka’s daughter.

He lived in ashramas in Ramagiri. Why is it mentioned in plural here? He builds one ashram. He
is engrossed in thoughts about his wife. He forgets that residence and starts building another
one elsewhere. The pathetic state of the Yaksha is being described in this way. In this example,
there is no inconsistency in the literal meaning. But there is the Dhvani of Vipralambha
Shringaara. So Lakshanaa cannot be equated to Dhvani as Dhvani could occur in the absence
of Lakshanaa.

In many instances, Lakshanaa will not be Dhvani. Hence Avyaapti also occurs.

There are “dead metaphors” which have been used for a long time and hence they do not carry
any ability to convey a special meaning. For example, a woman is praised for her charm and
grace or “laavanya”. Laavanya is the bhava of Lavana – saltness. There is no longer any
metaphor as people understand laavanya as charm. The term was initially used to mean that
she has a special characteristic which makes her look so beautiful just as the salt adds a taste
to the food without which it would not be good. In such situations, there is Lakshanaa but there
is no Dhvani.

परिम्लानं पीनस्तनजघनसङ्गादुभयत-स्तनोर्मध्यस्यान्तः परिमिलनमप्राप्य हरितम् |

इदं व्यस्तन्यासं श्लथभुजलताक्षेपवलनैःकृ शाङ्ग्याः सन्तापं वदतिबिसिनीपत्रशयनम् || eg for 14 ||

“This bed prepared with lotus leaves (बिसिनी+पत्र+शयनम्) speaks (वदति) of the affliction of the

beautiful lady who slept on it. For, its two edges one faded because of her robust bosom and

plumpy hips. That portion which was occupied by her slender waist has retained its greenness.

The movements of her drooping creeper-like arm have rendered it disorderly.”

Ratnaavali had slept somewhere on a bed prepared with lotus leaves. Later, Vatsa Raaja is
seeing that place. The word vadati means that it “indicates” rather than conveying its literal
meaning of “saying”. But since such usage is so common, there is no Dhvani in that.

[Side Note: The use of “says” for “indicates” is just a cliché, i.e., a phrase used to the point of no
meaning or importance, ironic because it is intended to make an impact like “I love you” or “I am
so grateful to you” or the pleasantries like “I am extremely happy to see you”].

Since there can be Dhvani without Lakshana and also Lakshana without Dhvani, these two
cannot be the same.

Anirvachaneeyataa Vaada and its Khandana

Anirvachaneeyataa vaadins say that Dhvani cannot be explained. Now that it has been properly
defined, this argument has been totally refuted.

Kavya Prathibha काव्ये प्रतिभा

प्रतिभा = जन्मान्तर सं स्कारः | Poets are born and not made. Some say that only the poets who

have the Prathibha (talent or power of imagination or the creative intuition) can write poems.

Some say that even the Prathibha (talent) can be learnt and gained.

[Side Note: There are some actors who become great even without going to the film institute.
There are some film institute students who fail to become good actors].

[Side Note: नाकवित्वमधर्माय व्याधये दण्डनाय वा ।कु कवित्वं पुनः साक्षान्मृतिमाहुर्मनीषिणः ।। १.१२ ।।
(kaavyaalamkaara)न+अकवित्वम्+अधर्माय व्याधये दण्डनाय वा ।कु कवित्वं पुनः साक्षात् मृतिम् आहुः

मनीषिणः ।। “Not writing poetry is no crime; it won’t cause illness or lead to punishment; but

writing bad poetry is a living death”, says Bhaamahin Kaavyaalamkaara.

न के वलं प्रतिभा अपि तु

शक्तिर्निपुणता लोकशास्त्रकाव्याद्यवेक्षणात् । काव्यज्ञशिक्षयाभ्यास इति हेतुस्तदुद्भवे ॥ काप्र-३ ॥

शक्तिः + निपुणता लोक+शास्त्र+काव्यादि+अवेक्षणात् । काव्यज्ञ+शिक्षयाभ्यासः इति हेतुः+तत्+उद्भवे ॥

काप्र-३ ॥

According to Mammata, the author of Kaavya Prakaasha, (which is a later work),three factors

become one cause (hetu) of poetry. Shakti and Prathibha are synonyms. One has to gain

expertise by studying the grammar in the shashtras. One has to study what is already

mentioned in the Kaavyaas of other poets and avoid repeating it. The third point is to practice

(अभ्यासः) and get trained (शिक्षया) under the direction of those (काव्यज्ञः) who know to write

poems].

Second Udyota
Five Different meanings for Dhvani
There are different meanings given to the term Dhvani. According to Abhinavagupta, the word
dhvani can stand for five different meanings namely suggestive words, suggestive ideas,
suggested ideas, suggestion and the composition in which all or any one may be found.

1. व्यञ्जकोऽर्थः The suggestive meaning (vyanjaka-artha) Suggestive meaning due to which

the primary sense discards itself

2. व्जञ्जकःशब्दःध्वनिः The suggestive word (vyanjaka-shabda) Suggestive words whose

primary sense is discarded

3. व्यङ्ग्योऽर्थः The suggested meaning (vyangya) Suggested sense for whose sake the

expressed meaning is rendered not fruitful.

4. व्यञ्जनाव्यापारः The function of suggestion (vyanjanavyapara) Suggestive function

through which the primary sense is discarded.

5. ध्वनिःकाव्यम् The poetry as a whole (samudayakavya) A composition where the primary

senses are discarded
The different types of Dhvani
Vastu Dhvani, Alamkaara Dhvani and Rasa Dhvani are one way of classifying Dhvani, which
was explained earlier. Another way of classification is as follows.

अस्ति ध्वनिः | स चासावविवक्षितवाच्यो विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यश्चेतिद्विविधः सामान्येन |

(१) अविवक्षितवाच्यः

(१.१) अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्यः

(१.२) अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्यः

(२) विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यः

(२.१) सं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः

(२.२) असं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः

Here अविवक्षितवाच्यःis लक्षणामूलध्वानि and विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यःis अभिधामूलध्वनि | (Refer Kaavya

Prakaasha Notes for more explanation). Along with सर्वथाविवक्षित, even अल्पविवक्षित is treated

as अविवक्षित. So, when it is told to a very less extent, it becomes अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्यः| When

it is not told at all, it becomes अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्यः|In the example, “दण्डाः प्रविशन्ति”, the sticks

cannot enter on their own. There is only अल्पविवक्षित. It joins with the पुरुषः and indicates the

men holding the sticks. This is अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्यः|

In गङ्गायां गोषः, we totally discard the meaning that it is the stream and we take it to be the

banks. So this is अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्यः| This usage is to highlight the qualities like शैत्य and

पावनत्वा |

अविवक्षितवाच्य and its two types

अर्थान्तरे सङ्क्रमितमत्यन्तं वा तिरस्कृ तम् |</*>अविवक्षितवाच्यस्य ध्वनेर्वाच्यं द्विधा मतम् ||2.१||

अर्थ+अन्तरे सङ्क्रमितम् अत्यन्तं वा तिरस्कृ तम् |अविवक्षित-वाच्यस्य ध्वनेः वाच्यं द्विधा मतम् ||2.१||

The expressed meaning in the former variety i.e., अविवक्षितवाच्य is sub-divided into two,
namely, अर्थान्तरसं क्रमित (transformed into some other sense) and अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ त (totally

discarded).

Example of अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्य

तदा जायन्ते गुणा यदा ते सहृदयैर्गृह्यन्ते |रविकिरणानुगृहीतानि भवन्ति कमलानि कमलानि ||

तदा जायन्ते गुणाः यदा ते सहृदयैःगृह्यन्ते |रविकिरण+अनुगृहीतानि भवन्ति कमलानि कमलानि ||

Merits do become merits where refined critics consider them so. Lotuses will be lotus as only
when the rays of sun shelter them.

Anandavardhana gives his own verse as an example. A guna is a guna only when the friends

recognize it. A lotus will be a lotus only when it is blessed by the sun’s rays. The second time

usage of lotus could mean different things like the abode of Lakshmi, sakala soundarya aakara,

etc. The second usage is the अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्य.

Example of अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्य -2

स्निग्धश्यामलकान्तिलिप्तवियतो वेल्लद्बलाका घनावाताः शीकरिणः पयोदसुहृदामानन्दके काः कलाः |

कामं सन्तु दृढं कठोरहृदयो रामोऽस्मि सर्वं सहेवैदेही तु कथम् भविष्यति हहा हा देवि धीरा भव ||

कामं सन्तु दृढं कठोर-हृदयः रामः अस्मि सर्वं सहेवैदेही तु कथम् भविष्यति हहा हा देवि धीरा भव ||

(Meaning: स्निग्धश्यामलकान्तिलिप्तवियतः, वेल्लद्बलाकाः, घनाः वाताः शीकरिणः, पयोदसुहृदाम्

आनन्दके काः कलाः | कामं सन्तु | दृढं कठोर+हृदयः रामःअस्मि | अहं सर्वं सहे |वैदेही तु कथं भविष्यति ? हहा

हा | देवि, त्वं धीरा भव |

The quarters are all painted as it was with the glistening dark clouds; the cranes are flying with

excitement, forming a circle as it were. The gentle wind is full of moisture; these friends of

clouds, i.e., the peacocks are giving out joyous notes in the wind. Let all these confront me

(कामं सन्तु). I shall certainly put up with all these (सर्वं सहे), for, I am Rama (रामःअस्मि) whose

heart is quite hard as adamantine (made of very hard material) (दृढं कठोर+हृदयः). But how will

Sita bear with this (वैदेही तु कथम् भविश्यति)! Alas! Alas!(हहा हा) O my beloved queen! Bear these
with all fortitude or courage (देवि धीरा भव).

Rama is separated from Sita. He describes the season which causes more pain for the

separated lovers. He hopes that Sita is able to bear this pain. He says that he will be able to bear

it. Here for the term Rama, the meaning to be taken is much more than the son of Dasaratha.

He is to be taken as one having the capacity to bear all the pains. It is an example of

अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्यः | The suggestion here is that he can bear all the pain

(सर्वकष्टसहिश्नुत्वशक्तिमान्) |

Example of अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ त

रविसङ्क्रान्तसौभाग्यस्तुषारावृतमण्डलः | </**>निःश्वासान्ध इवादर्शश्चन्द्रमा न प्रकाशते ||

रवि+सङ्क्रान्त+सौभाग्यः तुषार+आवृत+मण्डलः चन्द्रमा, निःश्वास+अन्धः आदर्शः इव न प्रकाशते |

(Meaning: All the charm (brightness) of the moon has gone to the sun. रवि+सङ्क्रान्त+सौभाग्यःIt

has disappeared now that the orb is enveloped by snow तुषार+आवृत+मण्डलः| Like a mirror

rendered blind by the heaving निःश्वास+अन्धः इव+आदर्शः, the moon does not glow चन्द्रमा न

प्रकाशते|)

At the advent of morning, the sun is raising and the brightness of moon is fading. The

soubhaagyaa of chandra has now been transferred to Sun (रवि+सङ्क्रान्त+सौभाग्यः) आदर्शः =

दर्पणः = mirror. When we breathe out air on the mirror, the mirror becomes unclear. The person

is unable to see clearly. Like that, Chandra is not bright now. The literal meaning here is that

the mirror has become blind अन्धः by the breathed out air. There is Dhvani in the shabda

अन्धःas it means that it is unable to reflect the image clearly. This type of Dhvani is

अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्या. The literal meaning is overridden.

The chandra’s shine is blocked as a mirror’s reflection is not clear when someone breathes out

air on it. निःश्वासान्ध– The term’s literally meaning is to be blinded by the breathed out air. We

totally discard that meaning and we take the meaning that the chandra’s shine is not seen
when the sun has risen.

Here the word “blinded” is suggestive of the second variety. This is a famous stanza from the
epic Valmiki Raamaayana. When we breathe out air on the mirror, the mirror becomes unclear
for some time and then becomes bright again. Like that, Chandra is also not bright now, but he
will get the light back later on. The literal meaning here is that the mirror has become blind by
the breathed out air. There is Dhvani in the shabda “andha” as it means that it is unable to
reflect the image clearly. This type of Dhvani is atyanta tiraskruta vaachyaa. The literal meaning
is overridden. Through similarity in not being able to reflect or see clearly, the word takes the
Lakshana meaning. The conventional meaning of the word “Andha” is completely discarded.

Example of अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ त – 2

गगनं च मत्तमेघं धारालुलितार्जुनानि च वनानि |</**>निरहङ्कारमृगाङ्का हरन्ति नीला अपि निशाः ||<//**>||

2.1 ++||

मत्तमेघं गगनं च, धारालुलित+अर्जुनानि वनानि च, निरहङ्कार+मृगाङ्काः निशाः नीला अपि (मनः) हरन्ति ||

The sky is enveloped with intoxicated or rolling clouds गगनं मत्तमेघं च | the Arjuna trees in the

forest have water drops dripping वनानि धारालुलित+अर्जुनानि च | Nights are not bright with

moon bereft of pride निशाः निरहङ्कार+मृगाङ्काः | Though black in colour, they capture you नीला

अपि (मनः)हरन्ति | मनःis अध्याहारः (the supplied missing text).Here the words “rolling”, “bereft of

pride” are replete (brimming) with suggestion.

विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यः and its two types

We will now see about विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यः| Where there is no hindrance to the vaachyaartha

and yet another meaning flashes, that is विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यः = विवक्षितवाच्य dhvani. वक्तुम् इच्छा

विवक्षा | Vivaksha is the desire to express. Vivakshita is the message that the poet wants to

express.

Two types in विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्यः

मुख्यतया प्रकाशमानो व्यङ्ग्योऽर्थो ध्वनेरात्मा|<*>

स च वाच्यार्थापेक्षयाकश्चिदलक्ष्यक्रमतया प्रकाशते , कश्चिद्क्रमेणेति द्विधा मतः ||| 2.2 + |

मुख्यतया प्रकाशमानः व्यङ्ग्यः अर्थः ध्वनेः आत्मा |

सः च वाच्यार्थ अपेक्षयाकश्चित् अलक्ष्यक्रमतया प्रकाशते ,कश्चित् क्रमेण इति द्विधा मतः ||| 2.2 + |

The nature of suggestion is such that the suggested meaning can be conveyed with
significance. A variety of it can be grasped along with the expressed since the sequence in
comprehending both conventional and suggested meanings cannot be discerned. Another
variety is that in which the sequentiality can be easily discerned.

Even when the suggested meaning is present, if it is not enjoining importance and pre-
eminence, then it should not be called as Dhvani.

This is the vritti for “The nature of suggestion”.विवक्षितान्यपरवाच्य (intended literal import) is

also divided into two, namely सं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्य (where sequentiality can be discerned) and

असं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्य (where sequentiality cannot be discerned). One variety in which the

suggested meaning is grasped along with the expressed since the sequence in comprehending

both conventional and suggested meanings cannot be discerned (separated). Another variety

is that in which the sequentiality can be easily discerned.

सं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः

सं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यःcould be the Alamkaara Dhvani, Vastu Dhvani or even the gunibhoota vyangya

Dhvani. From the vibhaava, anubhaava, and vyabhichaari bhaava, the staayibhaava is created

and it gets nourished by them and turns out to be the experience of Rasa. There is a kramaa or

sequence there.Samlakshyakramavyangya is where the sequence is perceptible. It is of 2 types,

namely Shabdashaktimulaand Arthashaktimula. Note that Mammata added Ubhayashaktimula

making it three. The verse “शिखरिणिक्वनुनाम” mentioned earlier is an example of

Samlakshyakramavyangya. Here we first understand the denoted meaning related to the

parrot and then we realize the suggested meaning of the speaker.

असं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः

Any shloka that has rasa or bhava is an example for असं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्य. The stotra will sing the

praise of the deity and there would be a prayer for protection also. So, any stotra can also

become an example of Bhava Dhvani as there will be Bhakti Bhaava in it. Even if this sequence
is present, it is not seenin असं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः| यद्यपि क्रमः विद्यते, अतिसूक्ष्मत्वात् न लक्ष्यते | It is

understood by the maxim of सहस्रदलसूचीभेदन्यायः (or Shatapatra-patrashata-beda-nyaayaa)|

When the needle is made to go through 1000 petals, we would not notice how it crosses each

petal. Here also though विभाव-अनिभाव-व्यभिचारिभावैः रसः, we do not notice them and we seem

to directly experience the rasa. The overall feeling is understood while going through the work,

without having to analyze each aspect for identifying the specific bhaavaa there. On account

of the quickness, the order is not noticed. Note that it is not said that the order or क्रम is not

present. It is only unnoticed – असं लक्ष्य.

असं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यःis Rasaadhi Dhvani as there are actually eight types namely Rasadhvani,

Bhaavadhvani, Rasaabhaasa Dhvani, Bhaavaabhaasa Dhvani, Bhaavodaya, Bhaava Sandhi,

Bhaava Shabalataa, and Bhaava Shaanti. रसभावतदाभासतत्प्रशान्त्यादिरक्रमः |ध्वनेरात्माङ्गिभावेन

भासमानो व्यवस्थितः || 2.3||(Meaning: Sentiment (रस), emotion (भाव), the semblance of sentiment

(तद्+आभास = रस’s आभास), the semblance of motion (तद्+आभास = भाव’s आभास)or mood and

that rise and cessation – all these form un-discerned sequentiality. It is decided that when there

is prominent presence (अङ्गि भावेन) of the variety that would be the very soul of suggestion

(ध्वनेःआत्मा)). In Lochana, the example has been given for each of the variety.

रसादिरर्थो हि सहैव वाच्येनावभासते |स चाङ्गित्वेनावभासमानोध्वनेरात्मा |after 2.3<*>

रसादिः अर्थः हि सहएव वाच्येन+अवभासते | सः च अङ्गित्वेन अवभासमानः ध्वनेः आत्मा |

The elements such as Rasa (i.e., Rasa – sentiment, bhaava – emotion, Rasaabhaasa –
semblance of sentiment, bhaavaabhaasa – semblance of emotion or mood, and that rise and
cessation) would strike the mind along with the conventional or literal import. If they also shine
prominently, there would be the soul of suggestion.

It would seem like the vaachyaartha and the vyangyaartha are coming together. Kaarana has to
be present before the Kaarya. Since Vaachyaartha is the Kaarana, it has to be present even
before the Kaarya which is the Vyangyaartha. But the gap is so less that it feels as though they
are there together. The Rasaadi Dhvanis are inseparable with the Vaachyaartha. They might
seem to come together. Whereas there is a clear order in the vastu dhvani and alamkaara
dhvani in which the vaachyaartha occurs first and then comes the vyangyaartha.
Rasavadalamkaara
रसः अस्मिन् अस्ति इति रसवत् | (धनं अस्य अस्ति इति धनवान् | वतुप् and मतुप् प्रत्यय sindicating

possession) | The earlier alamkaarikaas mentioned that the alamkaaras that have rasa can be

taken to be Rasavadalamkaaraa. Anandhavardhana does not agree with this. He said that

where the rasa is prominent, it should be called as Rasadhvani. In Rasaadi Dhvani, there is

prominence of one of these – Rasa, Bhaava, Rasaabhaasa, Bhaavaabhaasa, Bhaavodaya, Bhaava

sandhi, Bhaava shabalataa or Bhaava shaanti. Rasa should be vyangya or suggested and it

should be prominent. Sometimes, the rasa will be the anga or secondary to some other aspect.

Usually the king is more important than the servant. But assume the king attends the marriage

of the servant. The servant gains prominence there (भृत्य-विवाह-प्रवृत्त-राजवत्). Like that, in some

remote cases, where some alamkaara gains more importance than the rasa, it will be called as

Rasavadaadyalamkaara.

प्रधान्येऽन्यत्र वाक्यार्थे यत्राङ्गं तु रसादयः|<*>काव्ये तस्मिन्नलङ्कारो रसादिरिति मे मतिः ||२.५ ||

प्रधान्ये+अन्यत्र वाक्यार्थे यत्र+अङ्गं तु रसादयः |काव्ये तस्मिन्+अलङ्कारः रसादिः इति मे मतिः ||२.५ ||

If on the other hand, the chief meaning of the sentence should direct towards something else
and if Rasa, etc. are to figure in only as subsidiary to it, that would be the case of
Rasavadalankaara.

Where the vaakyaartha is important अन्यत्र वाक्यार्थेप्रधान्ये and rasa, bhava, etc. are only

secondary यत्ररसादयःतु अङ्गम्, in those kaavyas तस्मिन्काव्ये, these secondary rasa, bhava, etc.

will become Alamkaara रसादिःअलङ्कारः, is my opinion इति मे मतिः |

Until Anandavardhana’s period, there was no work with this level of details. Anandavardhana

clarifies that where there is no prominence of Rasa, it is not to be considered as Dhvani and it is

to be taken to be only Alamkaara.He says that this is his opinion इति मे मतिः| This was accepted

by all.

Example of Rasavadalamkaara
क्षिप्तो हस्तावलग्नः प्रसभमभिहतोऽप्याददानोऽशुकान्तं
गृह्णन् के शेष्वपास्तश्चरणनिपतितो नेक्षितः सम्भ्रमेण |

आलिङ्गन् योऽवधूतस्त्रिपुरयुवतिभिः साश्रुनेत्रोत्पलाभिः

कामीवार्द्रापराधः स दहतु दुरितं शाम्भवो वः शराग्निः ||

क्षिप्तःहस्तौअलग्नः, प्रसभम् अभिहतःअपि आददानः अशुकान्तं

गृह्णन् के शेषुअपास्तःचरण-निपतितः नेक्षितः सम्भ्रमेण |

आलिङ्गन् यः अवधूतस्त्रिपुरयुवतिभिः साश्रुनेत्रोत्पलाभिः

कामी-वार्द्रापराधः सः दहतु दुरितं शाम्भवः वः शराग्निः ||

May that fiery arrow of Shiva burn down all our sins. That arrow who worked out in the form of a
lover who has committed a new offence towards his beloved. Though avoided by the wives of
Tripura with fear stricken lilly-like eyes, it would cling intently to their hands, though compellingly
pushed out, it would still hold on to the tips of garment, though harshly pushed aside by the hair
of its feather, it would fall at their feet and yet remain unrecognized due to their agitation, and
despite it being pushed back, it would embrace them.

Tripura Samhaara is when Shiva kills three demons, who travel in space, as though in a space

shuttle. Vishnu is the arrow. Meru mountain is the bow. At a specific point of time, all three of

them come in one line. At that moment, Shiva killed the demons. The fire comes and falls at

the hands of the ladies (क्षिप्तःहस्तौअलग्नः). Even when they push it (प्रसभम् अभिहतःअपि), it holds

onto the edge of their sarees (आददानः अशुकान्तम्). Though the fire is harshly pushed aside by

the hair(गृह्णन् के शेषु अपास्तः), it goes and falls at their feet (चरण-निपतितः). The poet says that

the fire is like their lovers (कामी+वार्द्रापराधः). Even though there is karuna rasa in the act of

protecting the people, here the prominent rasa is the vira or the prathaapa of Shiva. So this is

rasavat alamkaara. In most of the slokas after all the praise, it concludes by seeking the

blessings. In such cases, Karuna is not prominent.

हे हेरम्ब किमम्ब रोदिषि कु तः? कर्णौ लुठत्यग्निभूः

किं ते स्कन्द विचेष्टितं मम पुरा सं ख्या कृ ता चक्षुषाम्।

नैतत्तेप्युचितं गजास्य चरितं नासां मिमीतेऽम्ब मे

तावेवं सहसा विलोक्य हसितव्यग्रा शिवा पातु वः॥

पार्वती :: हे हेरम्ब |

गजानन: :: किम् अम्ब ?

पार्वती :: रोदिषि कु तः?

गजानन: :: अग्निभूः कर्णौ लुठति |

पार्वती :: (हे) स्कन्द | किं ते विचेष्टितम् ?

स्कन्द: :: पुरा मम चक्षुषाम् सं ख्या (तेन) कृ ता |

पार्वती :: (हे) गजास्य | एतत् ते चरितं अपि न उचितं |

स्कन्द: :: (हे) अम्ब | (स:) मे नासां मिमीते |

एवं शिवा तौ सहसा विलोक्य हसितव्यग्रा पातु वः॥

शिवा = पार्वती ; हेरम्ब: = गणेश:; अग्निभूः = born out of fire – Shanmukha; तौ एवं सहसा विलोक्य =

स्कन्दगजाननौ कलहरूपेण क्रीडन्तौ दृष्ट्वा ; सहसा = hurriedly (here, casually); हसितव्यग्रा = हसने या

व्यग्रा अभवत् सा = She who is engaged or occupied in smiling; व: = युष्मान् (you all); पातु = रक्षतु;

Hasya rasaa is prominent and Karuna is not prominent though it ends saying – let that Parvathi
protect us. Hence this is Rasavadalamkaara.

अलङ्कारत्वसाधनम्

रसभावादितात्पर्यमाश्रित्य विनिवेशनम् |अलङ्कृ तीनां सर्वासामलङ्कारत्वसाधनम् ||2.6

रस+भावादि+तात्पर्यम्+आश्रित्य विनिवेशनम् |अलङ्कृ तीनां सर्वासाम्+अलङ्कारत्व+साधनम् ||

It is only the use of Alamkaaraas in view of the principal idea of Rasa, Bhaava etc. that really
proves as sources of charm.

When the ornaments are kept for display in the shop, it is not serving the purpose of an
ornament. Only when someone wears it, it becomes a decorative item. Just the presence of
alamkara in a poem does not have any significance unless it becomes a decoration for the
Dhvani in the poem.

एवं ध्वनेरुपमादीनां रसवदलङ्कारस्य च विभक्तविषयताभवति |</*> |2.6+|

एवं ध्वनेःउपमादीनां रसवदलङ्कारस्य च विभक्त-विषयताभवति |

In this way, there is a specific differentiating aspect between Dhvani, alamkaaras like upama,
and the Rasavadamkaara.

Guna – Different from Alamkara

Right from Bharata’s time, Gunas were recognized. Dhandi related Gunas to the Marga or Reeti
and listed the ten Gunas. Vaamana also explained in the same way classifying them as Shabda
Guna and Artha Guna. While the alamkaarikaas prior to him had considered Guna to be the
dharma of Marga or Reeti, Anandavardhana was the first one to say that Gunas are the
dharmas of Rasa. He describes the difference between the Guna and Alamkaara. This
difference was pointed out for the first time clearly by Vaamana but in a different way.

तमर्थमवलम्बन्ते येऽङ्गिनं ते गुणाः स्मृताः<*>|अङ्गाश्रितास्त्वलङ्कारा मन्तव्याः कटकादिवत् || 2.7 ||

तम्+अर्थम्+अवलम्बन्ते ये+अङ्गिनं ते गुणाः स्मृताः |अङ्ग+आश्रिताः+तु+अलङ्काराः मन्तव्याः कटकादिवत्

||

That which depends upon this main element (here rasa) are considered as “qualities”. The
figures of speech are those that are connected with its parts (here the expressed meaning and
the expression) in the same way as ornaments like bracelet, etc.

The difference between Alamkaara and Guna is stated here. A person might have decorated

himself in a certain way. But his Gunas or qualities are different. The Alamkaaras are

decorations of the body and the Gunas always depend on the soul (अङ्गि that which contains

the organs). The अङ्गि of kavya is rasa. The gunas Prasaad, Ojas, and Madhurya are decorations

of the soul, the rasa dhvani, which is the अङ्गि. शब्दार्थौ काव्यस्य शरीरम् | The alamkaaras are

attached to the body which is the word, shabda and the meaning, vaachya. Yamaka is a shabda

alamkara. Upamaa is an arthaalamkaara. येअङ्गिनं तम्अर्थम् (dhvani) अवलम्बन्ते, ते गुणाः | अङ्ग-

आश्रिताः तु अलङ्काराः | कटकादिवत् = Like the bangle (कटक) and others. In this he says that the

Rasa’s Dharma is the Gunas. The alamkaaras are only supplementary parts to the body made of

Shabda-Artha. Like the ornaments for the human body, the alamkaaras are ornaments to the

Kaavya’s body.

Dhandi mentions about 10 gunas. Anandavardhana accepts only three as Gunas. The first is
maadurya guna which is the dharma of Shrungaaraadirasa (like Shrungaara, Kaarunya, Hasya,
etc.). The next one Ojas is related to Raudraadi Rasa (i.e., Raudra, Veera, Adbuda, Bibatsa).
The third one Prasaada is the common dharma for all Rasa. Prasaada means Prasanna. This
brings the ananda due to the Rasa.
Maadurya Guna and Shrngaara Rasa
शृङ्गार एव मधुरः परः प्रह्लादनो रसः<*>|तन्मयं काव्यमाश्रित्य माधुर्यं प्रतितिष्ठति ||७ 2.8||

Meaning: Shringaara – the sentiment of love – is the sweetest and most enjoyable of all
sentiments. The quality of Maadhurya or sweetness is declared to be present in the poetic
composition beaming with this sentiment of Shringaara.

He says that the Shrungaara Rasa is the Rasa that can cause the most happiness. Madurya
resides in this type of Kaavya having Rasas like Shrungaara. Madurya is a quality residing in
the Shabda and Artha. And still it brings out the ananda of the Rasa. Even within the
Shrungaara, the vipralamba shrungaara is much more enjoyable than the Samboga
Shrungaara.

Maadurya Guna and Karuna Rasa

The most enjoyable Rasa is Karuna. The Harishchandra drama is full of pathos. The audience

would cry so much while watching it and yet they will want to watch the drama again.

Vishwanath says in Saahitya Dharpana that करुणादावपि रसे जायते यत् परं सुखम् |

सचेतसामनुभवःप्रमाणं तत्र के वलम् | We experience Ananda even in Rasas like Karuna the proof is

the ananda experienced by the sahrudayas. शृङ्गारे विप्रलम्भाख्ये करुणे च प्रकर्षवत् |माधुर्यमार्द्रतां

याति यतस्तत्राधिकं मनः ||८ 2.9||

Meaning:In the two kinds of sentiments, namely, love-in-separation and the pathetic sentiment,
sweetness should be the foremost because the heart of the recipient is moved very much in
those situations.

The most touching of all the Rasas, that melt the heart, are vipralambha-shrungaara and
Karuna.

Ojas Guna
रौद्रादयो रसा दीप्त्या लक्ष्यन्ते काव्यवर्तिनः | तद्व्यक्तिहेतूशब्दार्थावाश्रित्यौजो व्यवस्थितम् ||९ 2.10||

Meaning: Raudrarasa etc., are significant in their having great exciting potency in poetry. The

quality of ओजस्or forcefulness is said to be in word and sense which produce the effect.

Sentiments like Raudra create a sort of excitement in poetic composition. Hence by lakshana,

one might designate that sentiment itself by the term Deepti or excitement. It was said by the
earlier alamkaarikas that दीर्घसमासत्वम् ओजत्वम् | Anandavardhana is of the opinion that Ojas

may be found even in the simplest expressions. Two examples are given for Ojas from

Venisamhaara. The first one has long compounds. चञ्चद्भुजभ्रमितचण्डगदाभिघात-

सञ्चूर्णितोरुयुगलस्य सुयोधनस्य | स्त्यानावबद्धघनशोणितशोणपाणि-रुत्तं सयिष्यति कचांस्तव देवि भीमः ||

Bhima says that he will kill the kauravas and with that blood in his hands, he will tie Draupadi’s

hair. Both Shabda and Artha have ojas guna. यो यः शस्त्रं बिभर्ति स्वभुजगुरुमदः पाण्डवीनां चमूनांयो यः

पाञ्चालगोत्रे शिशुरधिकवया गर्भशय्यां गतो वा | यो यस्तत्कर्मसाक्षी चरति मयि रणे यश्च यश्च

प्रतीपःक्रोधान्धस्तस्य तस्य स्वयमपि जगतामन्तकस्यान्तकोऽहम् || Ashwattaama says he will kill all the

people on the Pandavas side without leaving the fetus in the womb. In this example, the deepti

is created by the word and meaning in spite of the absence of long compounds.

Prasaada Guna
समर्पकत्वं काव्यस्य यत्तु सर्वरसान् प्रति | स प्रसादो गुणो ज्ञेयः सर्वसाधारणक्रियः ||2.१०||

Meaning: That which produces congeniality in a poetic composition towards all sentiments is
known as Prasaada which goes well with all sentiments and poetic compositions.

प्रसादस्तु स्वच्छता शब्दार्थयोः | The quality of Prasaada or Perspicuity means clarity or lucidity in

word and meanings. Samarpakatvam is to have the appropriate shabda and artha that is

appropriate for the specific rasa. सर्वसाधारणक्रियः– it is applicable in common to all the rasas.स

च सर्वरससाधारणोगुणः सर्वरचनासाधारणश्च व्यङ्ग्यार्थापेक्षयैवमुख्यतया व्यवस्थितो मन्तव्यः | (2.10 / 2.11)

All sentiments could be accommodated in this perspicuity and all poetic compositions could

make use of this quality. Hence it is better we understand it as primarily relating to व्यङ्ग्यार्थ

only.

Dosha
श्रुतिदुष्टादयो दोषा अनित्या ये च दर्शिताः | ध्वन्यात्मन्येव शृङ्गारे ते हेया इत्युदाहृताः || 2.११||

Meaning: Faults like indelicacy which are considered to be non-permanent by the ancient
writers have been deemed to be so only with reference to the sentiment of love when it has
suggestion.

Indelicacy is that which is not pleasant to hear. The faults like this are not considered as
permanent faults. It can be ignorable in certain rasas and it can even enhance the raudra-adi
rasa. But it should be totally avoided in Shrngaara.

काव्यदोषाः

दोष means मुख्यार्थ-हानिः – the factor that prevents the main meaning from being understood. A

blemish that damages or destroys the desired meaning is kaavya dosha. पददोष,वाक्यदोष,

अर्थदोष, रसदोष, etc., are the types of faults. पददोष’s example would be spelling mistakes.

वाक्यदोष where there could be some grammatical mistakes like singular-plural mismatch

between कर्तृ and क्रिया. Rasa is most important. रसदोष is the blemish that damages the rasa. It

is acceptable even if a गुण or good quality is missing. But it is not acceptable to have a दोष. Not

having a दोष itself is an अलं कार.

Definition of Kavya or Poetry given by Mammata in Kavya Prakashaa – तत् अदोषौ शब्दार्थौ सगुणौ

अनलं कृ ती पुनः क्वापि (काव्यप्रकाश 1.4) – इति काव्यलक्षणं | The first condition is that there should

not be any fault अदोषौ.

Usage of Alamkaara
ध्वन्यात्मभूते शृङ्गारे यमकादिनिबन्धनम् | शक्तावपि प्रमादित्वं विप्रलम्भे विशेषतः||२.१६ ||</*>

ध्वनि+आत्मभूते शृङ्गारे यमकादि-निबन्धनम् | शक्तौअपि प्रमादित्वं विप्रलम्भे विशेषतः |

ध्वनि+आत्मभूते शृङ्गारे शक्तौप्रमादित्वम्अपि यमकादिनिबन्धनम् | विप्रलम्भे विशेषतः |

Even granting that the poet is proficient in using the figures like assonance, it would be a lapse

on his part in case he were to use them while delineating the sentiment of love which is the

very soul of Dhvani, especially in vipralambha shrungaara. (यमकादिशक्तौप्रमादित्वम्= proficiency

in the skill of including alamkaras like Yamaka). In this section, Anandavardhana clarifies the

role of Alamkara in Dhvani poetry.

रसाक्षिप्ततया यस्य बन्धः शक्यक्रियो भवेत् | अपृथग्यत्ननिर्वत्यः सोऽलङ्कारो ध्वनौ मतः||2.१७ / 2.16||</*>

रसाक्षिप्ततया यस्य बन्धः शक्यक्रियः भवेत् |अपृथक् +यत्न+निर्वत्यः सः अलङ्कारः ध्वनौ मतः ||
The poet is permitted to use only such figures the employment of which is made possible only
by the emotional exuberance (excitement) of the poet and in the use of which figure there is no
special effort used.

अलङ्कारस्य स्थानविवेकः

Anandavardhana clarifies about the usage of Alamkaara within the composition that has

Dhvani. If the Alamkaara effortlessly finds a place there, then retain it. But for the sake of

including an Alamkaara, do not force it into the composition. Kalidasa uses the Alamkaara

judiciously, only those which are appropriate to the rasa in that context. विवक्षातत्परत्वेन

नाङ्गित्वेन कदाचन |काले च ग्रहणत्यागौ नातिनिर्वहणैषिता ||2.१८||

Meaning: It must be realized that the figure of speech should serve as a means to the
delineation of sentiment and it should not be an end in itself. He should have the right to
abandon it when not needed in the same way as he uses them when needed rightfully.

(1) विवक्षातत्परत्वेन– Alamkaara should be to enhance the sentiment (2) नअङ्गित्वेन कदाचन– at

any point of time, it should not gain prominence over the rasa (3) काले च ग्रहणत्यागौ– it should

be used or given up at the appropriate time (4) न अतिनिर्वहणैषिता– One should not over do the

Alamkaaras. (5) निर्व्यूढावपि चाङ्गत्वे यत्नेन प्रत्यवेक्षणम् – If it happens to come that way, the poet

should put effort to make it only secondary or subordinate. Alamkaaras are to be used only

when they nourish the Rasa. It should not be forcefully introduced just for the sake of having

an Alamkaara there. It should not be the angi i.e., gain prominence over the Rasa. Leave the use

of Alamkaara if it is not supporting the rasa.

निर्व्यूढावपि चाङ्गत्वे यत्नेन प्रत्यवेक्षणम् | रूपकादिरलङ्कारवर्गस्याङ्गत्वसाधनम् ||2.१९||

Meaning: He shall not exercise his over-enthusiasm however much he may feel himself an
expert. He should be keen in rendering it only secondary or subordinate. It is only thus, the
figures like Rupaka become instrument to suggest sentiments.

In Abhignaana Shaakuntalam, there is a Svabhaavokti Alamkaara, which describes the nature

of the bee. It has helped in enjoying the rasa even more.चलापाङ्गां दृष्टिं स्पृशसि बहुशो

वेपथुमतींरहस्याख्यायीव स्वनसि मृदु कर्णान्तिकचरः |करौ व्याधुन्वत्याः पिबसि रतिसर्वस्वमधरं वयं

तत्त्वान्वेषान्मधुकर हतास्त्वं खलु कृ ती ||It is an example of विवक्षातत्परत्वम् |

सं लक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः

There are two types in this – artha-shakti-moola-dhvani and shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani. Note

that according to Mammata there are three types considering shabdaartha-ubhaya-shakti-

moola-dhvani. शब्दार्थशक्तिमूलत्वात्सोऽपि द्वेधा व्यवस्थितः ||2.२०||

Meaning: The samlakshyakramavyangya or the discernible sequence is also of two kinds

having its roots in the potency of the meaning and words.

shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani
आक्षिप्त एवालङ्कारः शब्दशक्त्या प्रकाशते |यस्मिन्ननुक्तः शब्देन शब्दशक्त्युद्भवो हि सः ||2.२१||

Meaning: That example in which a figure which is not expressed directly by any word is present
and conveys solely, by the suggestive potency of the word itself, should be taken as suggestion
based on the potency of the word.

When an Alamkaara is suggested, it is shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani. According to him, only

Alamkaara Dhvani will be shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani and not Vastu Dhvani. Mammata says
that Vastu Dhvani is also possible here.

As in Shlesha, even in shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani, there is scope for two meanings. The

difference is explained here. In shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani, one is prominent. In Shlesha, we

take both the meanings. येन ध्वस्तमनोभवेन बलिजित्कायः पुरास्त्रीकृ तोयश्चोद्वृत्तभुजङ्गहारवलयो गङ्गां

च योऽधारयत् | यस्याहुः शशिमच्छिरो हर इति स्तुत्यं च नामामराःपायात्स स्वयमन्धकक्षयकरस्त्वां

सर्वदोमाधवः || In this example, the meaning applicable for Hari and the one applicable for the

Hara exist. Here both the ideas are simultaneously present as an outcome of the potency of

the word and hence it is only shlesha and not shabda shakti moola dhvani.

When one meaning is considered as an upamaa for the other meaning (King and elephant),
then it is shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani.

[Side Note: भद्रात्मनो दुरधिरोहतनोर्विशालवं शोन्नतेःकृ तशिलीमुखविग्रहस्य ।यस्यानुपप्लुतगतेः

परवारणस्यदानाम्बुसेकसुभगः सततं करोभूत् ॥Kaavya Prakasha १२॥

An example is given here where the verse could mean both a king and an elephant belonging to
the jaati of Bhadra. From the context, since it is about the King, the meaning meant for the King
is to be taken first. The other meaning is taken to be Vyanjana.

Contextual meaning: The king has a peaceful nature, his persona is difficult to be gauged, he
has the high stature due to his vamsha, he has mastered several weapons, his knowledge
never goes awry, he gets rid of his foes easily, his hands are charming and always wet with the
water being poured while giving gifts [daana].

Non-contextual meaning: Describes an elephant. It is of the Bhadra variety, body is so high that
it is difficult to mount, backbone is large and lofty, attracts many bees, its movement never
falters, it is an elephant par excellence, the trunk is beautiful and always has the liquid rut
flowing.

(More Info: Jagannaata does not agree that with this. He says that the second meaning should
also be taken as the vaachyaartha. He agrees only in certain specific cases. Even
Anandavardhana does not say that. But Abhinava Gupta gives this in his vyaakyaanaa. The
Elephant can be taken to be the upamaana and hence the alamkara of Upama comes. So this
becomes Upama Dhvani. The shabda shakti mula Dhvani can only be alamkara Dhvani and it
can never be vastu roopa Dhvani says Anandavardhana). ]

Counter-example of Shabdashakti in Samlakshya

तस्या विनापि हारेण निसर्गादेव हारिणौ |</****>जनयामासतुः कस्य विस्मयं न पयोधरौ ||<//****> 2.22 ++ ||

हारेण विनापि निसर्गात् एव हारिणौ तस्याः पयोधरौ कस्य विस्मयं न जनयामासतुः |

Her bosoms having no garland though garlanded by active (attractive) as it were, whom should
they not amaze.

That example in which a figure which is not expressed directly by any word is present and

conveys solely, by the suggestive potency of the word itself, should be taken as suggestion

based on the potency of the word (shabda-shakti-moola-dhvani). The shlesa on the word हार

helps only in conveying a tinge of virodha or paradox on how she is garlanded without a

garland. There is no suggestion based on the potency of the word. So this verse is not an

example for shadba-shakti-moola-dhvani. But the sentiment of love conveyed here through

Slesa or Virodha could be taken as asamlakshyakramaviyanga – suggestion with undiscerned

sequentiality.

Types of Artha-shakti-moola-dhvani
Samlakshyakramadhvani is classified into shabdashakti-moola-dhvani and arthashakti-

mooladhvani. Arthashaktimooladhvani is the case where the meaning suggests another

meaning. It is of two kinds – (1) प्रौढोक्तिः found in ornamented expression. (2) स्वतः सम्भवी

naturally existing. Each of these two types are further classified into (a) वस्तुना वस्तुध्वानिः, (b)

वस्तुना अलं कारध्वनिः, (c) अलं कारेण वस्तुध्वनिः, (d) अलं कारेण अलं कारध्वनिः |

Example of Arthashakti – Svatahsambhavi – Vastunaa vastudhvani

एवं वादिनि देवर्षौ पार्श्वे पितुरधोमुखी |</***>लीलाकमलपत्राणि गणयामास पार्वती|| after 2.22

एवं +वादिनि देवर्षौ पार्श्वे पितुः अधोमुखी |लीला+कमल+पत्राणि गणयामास पार्वती|| after 2.22

This shloka is from Kumaara Sambhava. The Sapta Rishis have come. Narada comes and tells

Himaalaya that Shiva is the suitable groom for Parvathi and that he has agreed to marry

Parvathi. When Narada was talking in this way (एवं +वादिनि देवर्षौ), Parvathi was standing next to

her father with head facing down (पार्श्वे पितुःअधोमुखी). She was holding a lotus for play (leela)

लीला+कमल+पत्राणि. She started seriously counting its petals (गणयामास पार्वती or another

version गणयामासके वलम्). The bhava of shyness is suggested.

That example in which one sense leads to another sense through its own potency of suggestion
and not out of the denotative potency of words will be an example of suggestion which depends
upon the potency of meaning very much akin to resonance – artha-shakti-moola-dhvani. In this
case, counting of petal suggests bashfulness.

Example of Arthashakti – Svatahsambhavi – Vastunaa vastudhvani 2

शिखिपिच्छकर्णपूरा जाया व्याधस्य गर्विणी भ्रमति |</*>मुक्ताफलरचितप्रसाधनानां मध्ये सपत्नीनाम् ||2.२४||

<//*>

शिखिपिच्छ-कर्ण-पूरा जाया व्याधस्य गर्विणी भ्रमति |मुक्ताफल-रचित-प्रसाधनानां मध्ये सपत्नीनाम् ||

शिखि-पिच्छ-कर्ण-पूरा With the plumes of peacock (i.e., an ornament made from the feathers in

the peacock’s tail) adorning her ears, व्याधस्य जाया the wife of the hunter गर्विणी भ्रमति walks in

pride मुक्ता-फल-रचित-प्रसाधनानां सपत्नीनां मध्ये in the midst of all her co-wives who are

possessed of ornaments of pearls.

This is an example where the naturally existing sense is that which is akin to what is found in
stark world. Her good fortune in the form of her winning her husband’s special love to her and
the bad fortune of other wives are suggested without any imaginative twist to the meaning. So
this is an example of svatah-sambhavi-arthashaktimoola-dhvani. This also comes under
vastunaa vastudhvani.

Example of Vastunaa-alamkaaradhvani – Utpreksa-dhvani

चन्दनासक्तभुजगनिःश्वासानिलमूर्च्छितः |</*>मूर्च्छयत्येष पथिकान्मधौ मलयमारुतः ||<//*> | 2.28 ++ |

चन्दन+आसक्त+भुजग+निःश्वासानिल+मूर्च्छितः |मूर्च्छयति एषः पथिकान्मधौ मलयमारुतः ||

Meaning: In this spring season the southerly wind raising the breath of snakes reclining on
sandal trees causes stupor to travelers.

This verse describing the spring season is an example of Utpreksa (poetic fancy) Dhvani. The

southerly wind causes stupor (lethargy) in travellers because it generates passionate longing in

them. The southerly wind itself is poetically fancied (i.e., imagined by the poet) as stuporous

because of its coming in contact with the heaves of snakes which have encircled the sandal

trees. This fancy is not directly conveyed by the words like “as it”, etc. But it is conveyed

through suggestion by the potency of sense in the sentence. It is just like resonance. Since the

cause of the lethargy is an imaginative one, it is an example of हेतूत्प्रेक्षा | Here the suggester is a

vastu and hence this is an example of vastunaa alamkaaradhvani.

Example of Yathaasamkhya-dhvani (alamkaarena-alamkaara Dhvani)

अङ्कु रितः पल्लवितः कोरकितः पुष्पितश्च सहकारः |</*>अङ्कु रितः पल्लवितः कोरकितः पुष्पितश्च हृदि

मदनः ||<//*> | 2.28 ++ |

The mango tree sheds sprouts, converts into leaf, buds and flowers. Love (treasured) in the
hearts sprouts, turns into leaf, buds and flowers.

This is an example of the यथासं ख्यध्वनिःsuggested relative.Here the resonance-like charm

maintaining the same order of occurrence referring to love and mango tree is far far greater

than the charm associated with the expressed figure तुल्ययोगिता (combination of equals). The

expressed alamkara, tulyayogitaa results in resonance and suggests यथासं ख्य alamkara.
[Side note–TODO –To be verified if this understanding is right–This is an alamkara where both
the object and the mirrored object follow an enumeration in a fixed order. Further, in this case,
since both are not made to follow a single enumeration and rather there is resonance in its
place, it does not become that alamkara. But it remains as a suggested Alamkaara].

Utility of Alamkaaradhvani
शरीरीकरणं येषां वाच्यत्वे न व्यवस्थितम् |</*>तेऽलङ्काराः परां छायां यान्ति ध्वन्यङ्गतां गतः || २८||<//*> |

2.29 |

येषां वाच्यत्वे शरीरीकरणं न व्यवस्थितम्, तेअलङ्काराःध्वन्यङ्गतां गतःपरां छायां यान्ति |

The following aphorism points out the utility of suggested figures. The very same figures of

speech (तेअलङ्काराः) which cannot afford to become even the body of poetry (येषां वाच्यत्वे

शरीरीकरणं न व्यवस्थितम्), will gain special beauty (परां छायां यान्ति) much more than what they

were in their expressed aspect, when they become involved in suggestion (ध्वन्यङ्गतां गतः).

Third Udyota
Suggestiveness of Words – Avivakshitavaachya
In this 3rd udyota, the different types are listed from the perspective of the Vyanjaka –the

suggestive word, while in the earlier chapter it was based on the Vyangya –the suggested

meaning. Due to the presence of a certain word, there could be suggestion. Or due to the

entire sentence itself, there could be suggestion. एवं व्यङ्ग्यमुखेनैव ध्वनेः प्रदर्शिते सप्रभेदे स्वरूपे

पुनर्व्यञ्जक- मुखेनैतत्प्रकाश्यते (before 3.1).

Meaning: Having thus displayed the nature of varieties of suggestion in detail, through the stand
point of the suggested material, the same shall be set forth through the suggestive elements.

अविवक्षितवाच्यस्य पदवाक्यप्रकाशता | तदन्यस्यानुरणनरूपव्यङ्ग्यस्य च ध्वनेः || 3.१||

Meaning: Both the varieties of suggestion with unintended literal meaning and resonance-like
suggestion are suggested by individual words and also by whole sentences.

When the bell is rung, the resonance that is heard is called अनुरणन | In every variety of Dhvani

(except for Ubhayashakti Mula Dhvani mentioned by Mammata which is based only on the

vaakya), there are two sub-types for the suggestion by individual words and by whole sentence.
Example of वाक्यप्रकाशता in अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ त

या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति सं यमी | </*>यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः || <//*> | 3.1 eg |

The following is the example of a suggestive sentence of the sub-class of “Primary sense

totally discarded (अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्य) under the class of “that with intended expressed sense”

(अविवक्षितवाच्य).

What is night for all beings, the saint keeps himself awake during then; when the beings are
awake that will be night for the saint.

The expressed sense that one should be awake during night, and remain sleeping during other

time is absolutely irrelevant to what is intended. This only suggests predominantly that the

wise saint has been with spiritual alertness and has shunned false notions about Reality. The

primary meaning thus has been totally discarded and the suggested meaning comes to the

forefront in the mind of a connoisseur. Hence it is an instance of a suggestive sentence

(वाक्यप्रकाशता). Suggestive sentence and suggestive word are the two categories under the

subdivision of अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्यध्वनि.

Example of वाक्यप्रकाशता in अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्य

विषमयितः के षामपि के षामपि प्रयात्यमृतनिर्माणः |

के षामपि विषामृतमयः के षामप्यविषामृतः कालः ||| 3.1 eg |

Meaning: For some it would be nectar; for some others both poison and nectar and for some, it
would be neither poison nor nectar.

In this verse, the words poison and nectar are used in such a way that it would merge in the

sense of miserable and joy. These words reveal the suggestivess of अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्य at the

sentence level.

Asamlakshyakrama अलक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यः

Asamlakshyakramadhvani which is rasaadidhvani, is explained next. यस्त्वलक्ष्यक्रमव्यङ्ग्यो

ध्वनिर्वर्णपदादिषु | वाक्ये सङ्घटनायां च स प्रबन्धेऽपि दीप्यते || 3.२||

Meaning: Suggestion with undiscerned sequence (asamlakshyakrama vyangya) will glow in

letter, word and so on, sentence, a part of the composition and finally in the composition too.

There is varna-vyanjakataa, pada-vyanjakataa, Vaakya-vyanjakataa, Sangatanaa-vyanjakataa,

and Prabhanda-vyanjakataa.

Influence of Letters
शषौ सरेफसं योगो ढकारश्चापि भूयसा | विरोधिनः स्युः शृङ्गारे ते न वर्णा रसच्युतः || 3.३||

Meaning: The letters “श” and “ष”, letters conjunct with र and ढ–all these are not conducive to

evoke rasa in the context of Shrungara.

In Shrungaara, the use of certain specific letters is considered to be inappropriate. त एव तु

निवेश्यन्ते बीभत्सादौ रसे यदा | तदा तं दीपयन्त्येव ते न वर्णा रसच्युतः || 3.४||

Meaning: When the same letters are used in relation to the sentiment of disgust बीभत्स and

others, they will certainly intensify them. Therefore letters also suggest sentiments.

Influence of Pada
Every word comprises of two parts prakruti and pratyaya. Each of these could cause

suggestiveness. These possibilities are there in Rasaadhi Dhvani. उत्कम्पिनी

भयपरिस्खलितांशुकान्ताते लोचने प्रतिदिशं विधुरे क्षिपन्ती | क्रू रेण दारुणतया सहसैव दग्धाधूमान्धितेन

दहनेन न वीक्षितासि (after 3.4) ||

Context: Vasavadatta being burnt down and Udayana says this to her. Meaning: You, whose
garment was slipping due to being struck with fear and whose helpless eyes were being
diverted in different directions, were all of a sudden consumed by the cruel fire due to his hard
heartedness. You could not be seen by him since he was surely blinded by his own smoke.

Here “those” eyes (ते लोचने) in the illustration are suggestive of sentiment. Udayana recollects

how those eyes of Vasavadatta used to create in him an impression of her anger, desire and

helplessness.
Sanghatana सं घटना
Sanghatana is the arrangement of words in poetry. Anandavardhana discusses whether Gunas
and Sanghatanas are one and the same or are they different. There are 3 types of Sanghatana.

असमासा समासेन मध्यमेन च भूषिता | तथा दीर्घसमासेति त्रिधा सङ्घटनोदिता||3.५|| </***>

Composition (texture – सङ्घटना) is of three kinds namely (1) without compounds असमासा (2)

with medium compounds मध्यमेन समासेन भूषिता and (3) with long compounds दीर्घसमासा.

The first type is Asamaasa – without any samaasa giving each pada separately like those of

Kalidasa–(अस्ति उत्तरस्यां) अस्त्युतरस्यां दिशि देवतात्मा हिमालयो नाम नगाधिराजः। The second type is

Madhyama – where there are smaller samaasaas or compound words. The third type is

Deergasamaasa – eg. Kadambari first sentences –आसीत् अशेष-नरपति-शिर-स्समभ्यच्चित्त-शासनः

where there are very long samaasas like the style of Bhaanaa. Vedanta Desika in his

Yadavaaabhyudaya writes with long samaasas. (TODO – shloka to be verified) लोलापतच्चरण-

लीलाहतिश्चरित-हालाहलेनिजपनी नृत्यन्तमप्रतिग-कृ त्यन्तमप्रतिम-मत्यन्तचारोकु शम् |

Bharata has stated 10 gunas – Slesha, prasada, samata, madhurya, sukumarata, arthavyaki,
udaratva, ojas, kanti and samadhi – these ten are the gunas.

Anandavardhanaa says in the 3rd chapter of Dhvanyaaloka that Guna and Sanghatana are
different.

Gunas or qualities like maadhuryam or sweetness and prasaada or perspicuity (eloquence /

articulacy) are constantly found in plenty only when vipralambhashrungaara (love in separation)
is delineated. Oojas (forcefulness) goes with Raudra (Furious) and adbhuta (wonder). But the
same conformity does not apply to the Sanghatanaa. Thus we find sanghatanaa when we have
long compounds even when erotic sentiment is delineated and even when we have no
compounds in Raudra Rasa.

गुणानाश्रित्य तिष्ठन्ती माधुर्यादीन्व्यनक्ति सा | रसान् – – – ||3.6|| (Meaning: Composition is based on

qualities like sweetness and suggests sentiments). Kavya has guna. The guna suggests rasa.

Since the sangathanaa is based on guna, is it same as guna or is it different? If it is different,

does guna depend on sangathanaa or the other way? तत्रै-क्यपक्षे सङ्घटनाश्रयगुणपक्षे च

गुणानात्मभूतानाधेयभूतान्वाश्रित्यतिष्ठन्ती सङ्घटना रसादीन् व्यनक्तीत्ययमर्थः | The first option is

ऐक्यपक्ष taking both to be the same, गुणान्आत्मभूतान् the gunas is identical with Sangatana
itself; and in the second case where both are different, the texture becomes the substratum or

foundation for the qualities. सङ्घटनाश्रयगुणपक्षे गुणान्आधेयभूतान् आश्रित्यतिष्ठन्ती सङ्घटना |

Thus in both of these cases, the texture either being based on itself or being based on the

nature of its attributes, suggests rasa. सङ्घटना रसादीन् व्यनक्ति | The other possibility of both

being differentand the guna being the foundation for sangatana is also discussed and it is

refuted. He finally concludes that Guna and Sanghatanaa are different without any

dependencies on each other as Sanghatanaa does not suggest any rasa.

Guna, Sanghatana and Rasas

There is a general opinion that long compounds are not appropriate for Shrngaara. But there

are cases where the long compounds have been used in Shrngaara. There are cases where

there is Ojoguna in the absence of samaasa (which contradict the earlier definition of

समासभूयत्वम् ओजः). So it has to be understood that irrespective of the sangatana, the rasa is

suggested only through the gunas. There is no generalized rule mapping specific Sanghatana

to specific rasas. As mentioned earlier (तमर्थमवलम्बन्ते येऽङ्गिनं ते गुणाः स्मृताः), the Rasa’s dharma

are the gunas. Guna’s relation to Rasa is constant like Maadhurya may be used for suggesting

Karuna and Vipralambhasrungaara. Ojas is used to suggest only Raudra, Adbhutaa and not

Karuna. Prasaada would apply to all rasas.There is no such principle governing the scope of

Sanghatanaa.

Prabhanda Vyanjakatva
There could be suggestiveness at the level of the entire composition itself.

विभावभावानुभावसञ्चार्यौचित्यचारुणः |विधिः कथाशरीरस्य वृत्तस्योत्प्रेक्षितस्य वा ||३.१०||(वृत्तस्य वा

उत्प्रेक्षितस्य वा कथा-शरीरस्य विधिः विभाव-भाव-अनुभाव-सञ्चारि-औचित्य-चारुणः |

Meaning: A poet should design only such a theme कथा-शरीरस्य विधिः, based either on

traditional accounts वृत्तस्य वाor an invented one उत्प्रेक्षितस्य वा which could be charming चारुणः

with its propriety औचित्य of the accessories of sentiment namely, the settings and its stimuli

विभाव, abiding emotion अनुभाव, emotional responses and changing moods सञ्चारिभाव.
In the Prabhanda, there should be the usage of Vibhaava, Anubhaava, and Vyabhichaari
Bhaava. It should come along with the theme or plot of the story. The plot could be based on the
stories from epics and puraanas or based on some imagination. If the vibhaava, anubhaava and
vyabhichaari bhaava are used along with the texture of the plot, the entire composition could
suggest a rasa.

इतिवृत्तवशायातां त्यक्त्वाऽननुगुणां स्थितिम् |उत्प्रेक्ष्याऽप्यन्तराभीष्टरसोचितकथोन्नयः ||3.११||

Meaning: If in a theme based on traditional accounts, the poet comes across a situation which is
in conflict with the intended sentiment, we must be prepared to abandon such incidents. He may
even invent incidents of his own imagination in their place, with an objective of depicting the
sentiment that he intends.

The situations that could cause hindrance to the main theme of the story should be avoided.
The kavi should create new situations that are amicable to the theme. The best example is
Abhignaana Shaakuntala of Kaalidaasa. In the original story, Dhushyanta is a cheat who does
not want to admit that he had married Shakuntala. Kaalidaasa glorified Dhushyanta’s role by
introducing the incident about the curse. In this way, the unnecessary incidents should be
dropped and introduce new incidents that support his intention. That they finally meet in the
Maareecha ashrama is not in the original story. The main message of the story is this – initially
they had only worldly love. In their separation, it became a heavenly love. To indicate this, the
kavi made them meet in the heavenly abode of Maareecha.

The sandhi and sandhyangaas come in every kaavya and Naataka. In Ratnaavali, the author has

included all the sandhi and sandhyangaas irrespective of whether they are required or not.

सन्धिसन्ध्यङ्गघटनं रसाभिव्यक्त्यपेक्षया |न तु के वलया शास्त्रस्थितिसम्पादनेच्छया ||3.१२||

Meaning: The construction of divisions and sub-divisions of the theme must help the depiction of
sentiments and not blindly conform to the rules of poetics.

Only the required ones need to be taken and others have to be avoided. Sandhyanga is the
joining of the portion of the Kathaa vastu and the Avashtaa vishesha. There are 64 of these
Sandhyanga.

(Side note: https://archive.org/details/Dasarupakahas English translation of Dhananjaya’s

Dasharoopaka which has an elaborate discussion on how stories are structured. It is called
Pancha Sandhi structure. Each Sandhi is made up of a combination of an Arthaprakriti and a
Kaaryaavastha.
Kaaryaavasthas: aarambha, yatna, praaptyaasha, niyataapti and phalaagama/phalayoga;
Arthaprakritis: beeja, bindu, pataaka, prakaree and kaarya;
Sandhis: mukha, pratimukha, garbha, avamarsha and upasamhriti/nirvahaNa)
For example, in the Sandhi called Mukha, there is a Sandhyanga called Upakshepa. The
purpose of upakshepa is to sow the seed of the main plot. When the hermits stop Dhushyanta
from hunting there, he immediately stops. Pleased with that behavior they bless him to have a
son worthy of his clan. Here is where the seed is laid that he will have a son with Shakuntala.

The second Sandhi is Pratimukha sandhi. At this stage, the person has to get into action. In

Venisamhaara, when Duryodhana leaves for the battle, he has used a sandhyanga called

Vilaasa which indicates sarasa-sallaapa. This is inappropriate. For the entire drama, this brought

auchityaabhanga. यथा वेणीसं हारे विलासाख्यस्य प्रतिमुखसन्ध्यङ्गस्य प्रकृ तरसनिबन्धाननुगुणमपि

द्वितीयेऽङ्के भरतमतानुसरणमात्रेच्छयाघटनम् |This should not have been used here. उद्दीपनप्रशमने

यथावसरमन्तरा |रसस्यारब्धविश्रान्तेरनुसन्धानमङ्गिनः ||3.१३||

Meaning: A poet should be in a position to present the sentiments in its high as well as in its low
ebb keeping an eye over the appropriateness. He must maintain the unity of the main sentiment
from beginning to the end.

One has to be careful about where uddeepana and prashamana is placed, considering the

entire plot in mind. अलङ्कृ तीनां शक्तावप्यानुरूप्येण योजनम् |प्रबन्धस्य रसादीनां व्यञ्जकत्वे निबन्धनम् ||

3.१४||

Meaning: He must exercise judiciousness in the use of figures of speech though he may be
endowed with the ability of using them profusely. These are the stipulations underlying the
suggestiveness of a whole composition in respect of sentiments, etc.

A poet might have the capacity to create different types of Alamkaaras. Even then, he should
include only the required ones, keeping in mind the entire story.

Auchitya औचित्यम्

औचित्यम् = propriety – suitableness – it is the bhava of uchita. उचितम् = proper. It is the soul of

all beauty. Without propriety, whatever you do, will be wrong. If it is not proper, it becomes a

matter of ridicule. The auchitya is decided according to the main rasa. The characters have 3

types of prakruti – daivi prakruti, aasuree prakruti or maanavee prakruti. Based on their

prakruti, everything else should match like the dress and the mannerism. There is another

thing called Sandarba auchitya. What is appropriate in such situation has to be considered.

Most importantly the rasa’s auchitya has to be ensured.

Rasa auchitya & Rasabhanga due to Anuchityaa
[Side note: A Kashmiri poet, Kshemendra (after Anandavardhana) wrote a work called Auchitya
Vichaara Charchaa. He states that Guna, Alamkaaraa, Vrutti, Pravrutti or the suggested
meaning vyangyaartha – all these should been within the limits of auchitya. Else it will become a
laughing stock].

अनौचित्यादृते नान्यद्रसभङ्गस्य कारणम् | </*>प्रसिद्धौचित्यबन्धस्तु रसस्योपनिषत्परा || ३.१४++ ||

अनौचित्यात्+ऋते न+अन्यत्+रसभङ्गस्य कारणम् |प्रसिद्ध+औचित्य+बन्धः+तु रसस्य+उपनिषद्+परा ||

रसभङ्गस्य कारणम् अन्यत्न There could be no other cause for a breach in sentiment

अनौचित्यात्+ऋते except impropriety. रसस्यपराउपनिषद् The greatest secret or Upanishad or

rahasya about the delineation of sentiment is प्रसिद्ध+औचित्य+बन्धः to conform to the well-

known and accepted considerations of propriety.

An interruption of aesthetic relish is called Rasa bhanga. The main reason for this is anauchitya.
Bharata laid down the strict rule that in the stage play par excellence, only a well-known plot and
a familiar noble hero should figure in. If this rule is adopted, a poet can ill-afford to go wrong in
the matter of maintaining propriety in relation to the hero with impossible super human
characteristics while writing a drama with its plot invented by him.

There is the suitability of the character and the suitability of even Vrutti, Pravrutti and
Sannivesha (situation) are to be considered. For example, the king taking out his sword to fight
enemy is acceptable but if he takes out his sword in a fight with his wife, it is not appropriate.
Even in the Natya Shastra, when Indra flies in the sky, it is acceptable for the audience to
accept the divine feats only by gods. But when an ordinary man says that he will fly to the
heaven, it is inappropriate. Another example – in a drama, there is a pandit. His speech could
indicate his knowledge. But the character of a servant cannot be shown to be talking in that
same manner. For each rasa like adbhuda, karuna, vira or bhayaanaka, the poem has to be
written appropriately. The dialog and the actions for Karuna and Vira will be different. Adbhuda
might have a lengthy dialog expressing surprise. Thus the most important factor among the
suitability is Rasa Auchitya.

Example of suggestion through Krudanta

अतिक्रान्तसुखाः कालाः प्रत्युपस्थितदारुणाः | <*>श्वः श्वः पापीयदिवसा पृथिवी गतयौवना || 3.१६++

अतिक्रान्तसुखाः | कालाः प्रत्युपस्थितदारुणाः | श्वः श्वः पापीय-दिवसा | पृथिवी गतयौवना |

Gone are the delights and times pose more and more depression. The earth has become
destitute of youth and every next day (tomorrow) is a sinful day.

In the above verse suggestion with alakshyakrama is communicated through primary suffix –

krudantaah (अतिक्रान्त, प्रत्युपस्थित, गत), number – bahu vachaana (सुखाः, कालाः) and the

suggestion with the expressed totally discarded (अत्यन्ततिरस्कृ तवाच्य) is found in the

expression “पृथिवी गतयौवना” |

One Prominent Rasa should be present

प्रसिद्धेऽपि प्रबन्धानां नानारसनिबन्धने |एको रसोऽङ्गीकर्तव्यस्तेषामुत्कर्षमिच्छता || २१||</******> | 3.21 |

प्रसिद्धेनाना-रस-निबन्धने अपितेषाम् प्रबन्धानां उत्कर्षम् इच्छता (कविना) एकः रसः अङ्गीकर्तव्यः |

No doubt, there is a convention that in entire literary composition, there should be more than
one sentiment. It is ordained here that one of those sentiments should be made the main by any
poet who wants his work to be great.

Angi rasa – is the prominent rasa which should be present from the beginning till the end of the
Kavya. Anga rasa is the secondary rasa which could appear in between at some time.

There are two vibhaavaas namely Aalambana Vibhaavaa and Uddeepana Vibhaavaa. The
object towards which the rasa is targeted is Aalambana Vibhaavaa. Bhima says that he will
drink Dhushaasanaa’s blood. So Bhima is the kaarana or Aalambana Vibhaavaa for
Dhushsaasanaa’s fear. When Bhima comes, there are others who come with him making loud
noises beating their drums. They become the secondary cause and enhance the fear. They are
the Uddeepana Vibhaavaa. So the Vibaavaa, Anubhaavaa and Sanchaaribhaavaa included by
the poet should enhance the main rasa. It should not be against the main rasa.
Angi Rasa

In every prabhanda, there has to be only one which has to be Angi Rasa and the other rasas

have to be anga rasa. Shrungaara, Veera, shanta and karuna can be Angi. Bhaavabhuti said

“एको रसः करुण एव” and then Karuna was considered as an Angi Rasa. Prabhoda-chandrodaya

was an allegorical drama which had Shanta as its primary rasa. The prateekaas or concepts

were the characters. Dhveshaa, Asooya and Advaita bhaavana were characters.

(Side note: Initially the definition of the story demanded a single person to be the hero. Only
after Raghuvamsa, which had a lineage of kings whose stories were being described,
Vishvanaatha changed the definition that there could be multiple heroes belonging to the same
clan in a story).
Anandavardhana says that Shanta is the prominent rasa in the entire Mahabharata. It shows the

impermanence of all the worldly possessions, valour, etc. Thrushnaakshaya is the most

important aspect there. तृष्णाक्षय, is the cessation of desire and the tranquility of mind. It is the

staayeebhava of Shaanta rasa. The entire Mahabharata is based on this Shaanta rasa. The rasa

of the entire Ramayana is Karuna rasa though it is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the

epic. रामायणे हि करुणो रसः | <*> (details in 4th udyota)

There are some mutually in-compatible rasas. In the same situations, these both cannot come

together. Rasa-viroodha-parihaara has to be done. For example, if Shrungaara and Karuna rasa

are present, make one become supplementary to the main rasa. प्रबन्धे मुक्तके वापि

रसादीन्बन्द्धुमिच्छता |यत्नः कार्यः सुमतिना परिहारे विरोधिनाम् ||3.१७||(Meaning: An earnest effort

should be directed to remove the opposition by a celebrated poet who is intent upon infusing

sentiments etc., whether his composition be a whole work or a single verse).

Example – Insertion of Opposed sentiment

सत्यं मनोरमा रामाः सत्यं रम्या विभूतयः | </*>किंतु मत्ताङ्गनापाङ्गभङ्गलोलं हि जीवितम् || <//*> | 3.30 ++

It is indeed true that women are endearing to the heart (रामाःमनोरमाः सत्यं ). It is true that wealth

is quite alluring (विभूतयः रम्याः सत्यं ). But life (जीवितम्)itself is much transient as to compete with

the tremulous glances [ i.e., the incomplete movement (भङ्ग+लोलं )of the corner of the eyes

(अपाङ्ग)] of the love-intoxicated (मत्त) lady (अङ्गना). (यथा मत्ताङ्गनायाः अपाङगात् भङ्गं लोलं

अशाश्वतं क्षणिकं च, तथैव जीवितम् )

If there be slightest touch of the opposite sentiments while dealing with the Sringaara Rasa and
its accessories, there may not arise any defect when the rules governing the non-opposition of
sentiments are meticulously followed. Hence indeed there can be no defect with the insertion of
an opposed sentiment as one finds in the above verse.

Guneebhootavyangya
प्रकारोऽन्यो गुणीभूतव्यङ्ग्यः काव्यस्य दृश्यते | यत्र व्यङ्ग्यान्वये वाच्यचारुत्वं स्यात्प्रकर्षवत् ||३.३४||
Meaning: We come across another kind of poetry, having suggestion as subordinate, in which
the poetic exuberance of the expressed is much more intense than in the suggested, though
both the expressed and the suggested are together found.

Here he defines Guneebhootavyangya. It is a kind of poetry other than Dhvani. In this, more

than the suggested meaning – vyangyaartha, there is prominence of the vaachyaartha itself.

The maaduryam is due to vaachyaartha and vyangyaartha just supports it. Here the Vyangyaa

has गुणीभाव i.e., it has become secondary to something else.

अनुरागवती सन्ध्या दिवसस्तत्पुरस्सरः | अहो दैवगतिः कीदृक्तथापि न समागमः || (after 1.12)

Meaning: Twilight is full of love and the day follows her face to face. Alas! What is ordained by
decree of fate is that they never meet!

The day goes in the front. The vadu – Sandhya follows himself from behind. But the destiny is

such that they could never meet. Here the vaachyaartha itself is much attractive than the

vengyaartha which suggests the pain of the couple who could not unite. Eg. ग्रामतरुणं तरुण्या

नववञ्जुलमञ्जरीसनाथकरम् ।पश्यन्त्या भवति मुहुर्नितरां मलिना मुखच्छाया ॥kaavya prakaasha ३॥

(Context: The person brings the creeper from the meeting place and shows it to his lover to

convey that she did not come to meet him there at the appointed time. Meaning: In this, the

literal meaning is that the brightness of the young woman’s face becomes acutely faded when

she sees the youthful villager who carries in his hand a bunch of fresh Vanjula flowers. Here the

suggested meaning is that she did not go to the meeting point even though she had promised

to meet her lover there. Since the denoted meaning is more charming, in this example, the

suggested meaning is subordinated to the denoted meaning). This is an example of

Guneebhoothavyangya.

प्रसन्नगम्भीरपदाः काव्यबन्धाः सुखावहाः | ये च तेषु प्रकारोऽयमेव योज्याः सुमेधसा ||३.३५||

Meaning:All literary compositions, which attract the readers, with their lucid elegant words, are
to be reckoned as Guneebhuta by the sensitive critic.

The Prasanna padas are the words which are pleasing when we read it. Gambheera padas are
the words that are impregnated with deep meaning. The Kaavya that comprises of Prasanna
and Gambheera padas bring happiness. In case of Vastu Dhvani and Alamkaara dhvani, there
is some chamatkaara – some surprise – some enjoyable factor. In Rasa Dhvani also, the viewer
or reader experiences Ananda. Similarly, in the guneebhoothavyangya also, ananda will be
experienced. Thus, even if it is guneebhoothavyangya kaavya, if it has prasanna and
gambheera padas, it can be considered almost equal to Dhvani Kaavya.

वाच्यालङ्कारवर्गोऽयं व्यङ्ग्यांशानुगमे सति | प्रायेणैव परां छायां बिभ्रल्लक्ष्ये निरीक्ष्यते ||3.३६||

Meaning: The entire group of Alankaaras obtains special charm when it is brought in association
with suggested element. Even the Vaachyaalamkaaras, which are supported by vyangyaarthas,
gain supreme splendor. There is an Alamkaara called samaasokti. It is nurtured by vyangya and
thus enhances its splendor. In such cases, the guneebhoothavyangya kaavya is almost equal to
Dhvani Kaavya. These verses show the abhimaana that Anandavardhana had for
Guneebhootavyangya Kaavyas.

There is some common aspect within all the alamkaaras which causes them to be attractive.

That aspect is called Athishayaa. Athishayokti is a specific Alamkaara. Athishayaa is the basis

for the extra-ordinary-ness in the alamkaaras. It is lokottara vaak – the speech that is beyond

the normal speeches. Bhaama and others call it as Vakrokti. सैषा सर्वैव वक्रोक्तिरनयार्थो विभाव्यते |

यत्नोऽस्यां कविना कार्यः कोऽलङ्कारोऽनया विना ||इति | (after 3.36)|

Context: Bhaamaha has defined exaggeration as follows. Meaning: This exaggeration is nothing
but the artistic turn of expression and it is by this poetic idea is conveyed. A poet should work
hard on it in particular and there cannot be any figure i.e. alamkara without it.

The essence of that which is called Athisayoktih is completely Vakrokti only. Such vakrokti is

the basis for all alamkaaras. So the Kavi should make special effort to introduce this vakrokti in

his works. विभाव्यते–Visheshana bhaavyate – i.e., it gets a specialty due to vakrokti. The reason

for the attractiveness of all the alamkaaras is the athishaya amsha – the vakrokti.

Chitra Kaavya
प्रधानगुणभावाभ्यां व्यङ्ग्यस्यैवं व्यवस्थिते | काव्ये उभे ततोऽन्यद्यत्तच्चित्रमभिधीयते ||3.४१||

Meaning: The two divisions of poetry have been thus recognized mainly on the standard of
primary importance and secondary importance attached to the suggested idea. That class of
poetry which is different from both these is called Citrakaavya.

When Vyangya is prominent it is Dhvani. When it is equal to or subservient to Vaachyaartha, it

is called Guneebhoota Vyangya Kaavya. When vyangya is barely noticeable it is called Chitra
Kaavya. Note that Vyangya is the soul of poetry and there cannot be poetry without Dhvani.

चित्रं शब्दार्थभेदेन द्विविधं च व्यवस्थितम् | तत्र किञ्चिच्छब्दचित्रं वाच्यचित्रमतः परम् ||४२||

Meaning: This Chitrakaavya is further divided into two depending on its grounding on word and
meaning. They are Shabdachitram and arthachitram.

By differentiating between the shabda and artha, there are two types of chitra – namely

shabda chitra which gains attractiveness due to shabdaalamkaara and the other artha chitra

which gains attractiveness due to the arthaalamkaara. Example of shabda chitra given in

Kaavya prakaasha is

स्वच्छन्दोच्छलदच्छकच्छकु हरच्छातेतराम्बुच्छटामूर्छन्मोहमहर्षिहर्षविहितस्नानाह्निकाह्नाय वः ।

भिद्यादुद्यदुदारदर्दुरदरीदीर्घादरिद्रद्रुमद्रोहोद्रेकमहोर्मिमेदुरमदा मन्दाकिनी मन्दताम् ॥४॥}

<(गोविन्दठक्कु रऽस्काव्यप्रदीप)>. Example of Artha chitra is the verse given in Kaavya prakaasha

where Amaraavati closes her eyes due to fear. विनिर्गतं मानदमात्ममन्दिराद्भवत्युपश्रुत्य यदृच्छयापि

यम् ।ससं भ्रमेन्द्र्र द्रुतपातितार्गला निमीलिताक्षीव भियामरावती ॥५॥(मेण्ठकृ तं हयग्रीववधम्). When Indra

hears that Hayagriva has exited from his residence, the gates of Amaraavati are instantly

closed and that city appears to be closing her eyes out of dread. There is utprekshaalamkaara

in the words निमीलिताक्षीव. The upamaa’s feature of eyes is superimposed on the city, though

city does not have eyes. This is utprekshaalamkaara.

Fourth Udyota
Noveltythrough Suggestion
ध्वनेर्यः सगुणीभूतव्यङ्ग्यस्याध्वा प्रदर्शितः | अनेनानन्त्यमायाति कवीनां प्रतिभागुणः ||4.१||

Meaning: The way in which principal suggestion and subordinated suggestion have been
expounded hitherto, will enhance the richness of creative imagination in poets and there will be
no end at all to that.

We have described the Dhvani’s marga and the Guneebhootavyangya’s marga. Having learnt
all these, the Kavi’s imagination knows no bounds. He brings Ananda.

अतो ह्यन्यतमेनापि प्रकारेण विभूषिता |वाणी नवत्वमायाति पूर्वार्थान्वयवत्यपि ||४.२||

अतः हि अन्यतमेन+अपि प्रकारेण विभूषिता |वाणी नवत्वम्+आयाति पूर्व+ अर्थ + अन्वयवती + अपि ||४.२||
By a mere contact of even a single variety of suggestion out of the many that have been
enlisted earlier, the poets’ expression will gain novelty though it might present astale /
hackneyed idea.

पूर्वार्थ+अन्वयवति अपि – Even if it is follows the earlier poet’s thoughts. It is acceptable if the

poet creates it with dhvani. The subject might be the same. But if I enhance it with my own

individuality including dhvani (अन्यतमेन प्रकारेण विभूषिता वाणी), then there is no fault. It

becomes a new one नवत्वम्+आयाति.

For example, someone praised the simha that because of its tejas, it is invincible.

“स्वतेजःक्रीतमहिमा के नान्येनातिशय्यते | महद्भिरपि मातङ्गैः सिंहः किमभिभूयते ॥”(4.2 ++) (Meaning:

Can one who has won fame by the fund of his own powers be surpassed? Can the lion be

overpowered by the mightiest elephant?” Later another poet writes “यः प्रथमः प्रथमः स तु तथाहि

हतहस्तिबहलपललाशी । श्वापदगणेषु सिंहः सिंहः के नाधरीक्रियते ॥” (4.2 ++) (Meaning: The person who

is Numero Uno will be number one, i.e., the most important person will be the most important

person. In the same way, being the best among the wild beasts, the lion will be a lion, which

partakes upto its brim the flesh of the killed elephant). Because of this dhvani

अर्थान्तरसङ्क्रमितवाच्य, it is a new idea and it is not considered as a copying.

By these numerous types, if Saraswati is pleased even by any one of these, she would gain

novelty. नवनवोन्मेषशालिनी प्रतिभा – That which produces newer and newer meaning is

Prathibha. In whichever type, it is included, it bring a novelty to the work.