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Introduction
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The Al, C. quotes verses explaining the nature of these varieties from some unknown work. Other varieties of geya such as Sampā, Chhalita, Dvipadi are also mentioned. We are asked to consult Brahmā, Bharata and Kohala. It might be that the verses quoted in the Al. C. are taken from some work of Kohala. The Viveka gives examples of some of these varieties and also other useful information (pp. 445 – 449). *
The fifth sūtra mentions the five varieties of Sravya Kävya viz:-(1) Mahākávya (2) Akhyāyikā. (3) Kathā (4) Champū and (5) Anibaddha.
The sixth sūtra defines Mahākāvya. It is mostly in verse and composed either in the Samskrta, the Prākrta, the Apabhramsa or the Grāmya. It is divided into either sarga, āsavāsa, samdhi or avaskandhaka which have their last verses in different metres from the rest. It must have its Samdhis (lit. joints) properly developed and possess charm of language and meaning.
The Al. C. quotes verses from Bharata explaining Samdhis which, it is taken for granted, are the same for the Nātaka as for the Mahākāvya. The Viveka gives examples from dramas (p. 449-455). The other terms are also explained in a phraseology which appears to be taken from the Kävyādarşa of Dandin, which appears
* We may note, here, that the Natyadarpana of Rāmachandra a pupil of Hemachandra deals with the same subject. It should be studied with this portion of the Kāvyānu āsana. The Nāt yadarpaņa indicates that Rāinachandra had made excellent use of Hemachandra's great library; for we find in it the names of so many unknown dramas. The late Prof. Sylvian Lévi wrote an article on the subject before the work was published in the G. 0. S. The article is translated in the Gujarati in Puratattva, Vol. V. p. 45.
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