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Introduction
CCCXVII sūtras describe the poetic practice which is briefly explained in the Al. C., but in detail with a great number of illustrations in the Viveka (pp. 13-23).
The eleventh sūtra defines the nature of poetry; this definition differs a little from that of Mammata in the place it assigns to alamkāra (figurative speech) in the definition; while rare instances of poetic speech without alamkāra are included by putting the conjunctive particle 'cha' in the sūtra. In the succeeding sūtras all the terms of the definition are defined and discussed. These terms are - Sabda ( Word ), Artha ( Meaning ), Dosha (Defect), Guņa (Merit), and Alamkāra (Figurative Speech). The twelfth sūtra gives the general definition of guņ3 and dosha with reference to their functions. The thirteenth defines the general nature of Alamkāra while the fourteenth describes their utility to Rasa. The sūtras 15-25 define and discuss the nature and relation of Sabda and Artha; the last sūtra-the 26th adds Rasa as one of the Vyangya arthas ( suggested meanings ), the Abhidhā, the Lakshaņā and the Vyanjanā and the Vyanjanā arthas having been discussed in the previous sūtras. This finishes the first Adhyāya.
The second Adhyāya of the Kāvyānuşāsana is devoted to Rasa, Bhāva, Rasābhūsa and Bhāvābhāsa and the classification of poetry as first rate, second rate and third rate on the principle of poetic excellence. The first 55 sūtras are devoted to the former subject while the last three are devoted to classification. This subject of classification has been discussed by Mammata in the first Adhyāya which becomes a stumbling block to a student who has not yet understood what poetic excellence is. The discussion of it after Rasa, as in the Kāvyānusāsana, is a distinct advantage to the student.
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