Kuntaka鈥檚 evaluation of Sanskrit literature
by Nikitha. M | 2018 | 72,578 words
This page relates 鈥楺ualities or Gunas鈥� of the study on the evaluation of Sanskrit literature with special reference to Kuntaka and his Vakroktijivitam from the 10th century CE. This study reveals the relevance of Sanskrit poetics in the present time and also affirms that English poetry bears striking features like six figurativeness taught by Kuntaka in his Vakroktijivita, in which he propounds the vakrokti school of Sanskrit literary criticism.
3.7. Qualities or 骋耻峁嘺蝉
[Full title: A brief sketch of the contents of 痴补办谤辞办迟颈箩墨惫颈迟补, (7): Qualities or 骋耻峁嘺蝉]
Kuntaka tries to connect some poetic qualities like 尘腻诲丑耻谤测补 (sweetness), 辫谤补蝉腻诲补 (perspicuity), 濒腻惫补峁噛补 (grace), and 腻产丑颈箩腻迟测补 (nobility) to the styles, but the nature of the four 驳耻峁嘺蝉 differs from style to style. The use of uncompounded simple and pleasant words is the specialty of sweetness of the tender style. Here perspicuity signifies the clarity of meaning and the beautiful arrangements of poetic composition is grace. The use of beautiful and pleasant words is the specialty of nobility. In variegated style, the absence of loose composition i.e. 艣补颈诲颈濒测腻产丑腻惫补 is the nature of sweetness and the avoidance of compound words with a touch of ojas is 辫谤补蝉腻诲补 (perspicuity). The skillful use of letters in a striking manner and the avoidance of too hard and too soft letters in a composition are the specialty of the qualities respectively of grace and nobility of variegated style.
This is given in a tabular form as follows:-
|
Styles |
Qualities | |||
| 尘腻诲丑耻谤测补 (sweetness) | 辫谤补蝉腻诲补 (perspicuity) | 濒腻惫补峁噛补 (grace) | 腻产丑颈箩腻迟测补 (nobility) | |
| 蝉耻办耻尘腻谤补 (tender) | Uncompounded simple and pleasant words | Clarity of meaning | Beautiful arrangements of poetic composition | Use of beautiful and pleasant words |
| 惫颈肠颈迟谤腻 (variegated) | Absence of loose composition i.e. 艣补颈诲颈濒测腻产丑腻惫补 | Avoidance of compound words with a touch of ojas | Skillful use of letters in a striking manner | Avoidance of too hard and too soft letters in a composition |
| 尘补诲丑测补尘腻 (intermediary) | Beautiful combination of the qualities of both the styles | |||
The beautiful combination of the qualities of both the styles is the specialty of the intermediary style. Kuntaka thus elaborates the qualities that each style possesses. But this elaboration seems to create certain difficulties. The narrow distinction between the qualities at times seems blurred to the readers.
Aucitya (propriety) and 蝉补耻产丑腻驳测补 (spendour) are two general poetic qualities propounded by Kuntaka as his own, which are common to the three styles. Aucitya (propriety) is the expression of inherent nature of things and in 蝉补耻产丑腻驳测补 (spendour) the poetic imagination plays an important role.
| Styles | Qualities | |
| aucitya (propriety) | 蝉补耻产丑腻驳测补 (spendour) | |
| 蝉耻办耻尘腻谤补 (tender) | Propriety is the expression of inherent nature of things | The poetic imagination plays an important role in spendour |
| 惫颈肠颈迟谤腻 (variegated) | ||
| 尘补诲丑测补尘腻 (intermediary) | ||
Kuntaka never merely follows the methods used by his ancestors. He always analyze them minutely and sometimes suggests possible modifications if essential. Otherwise he propounds his own new ideas. These things make Kuntaka an outstanding one among Sanskrit rhetoricians. His unique contributions of qualities and figure of speeches are really praiseworthy.