________________
the different branches of knowledge. In other words, Vyutpatti means deep learning and extensive acquaintance with manifold branches of literature such as the science of words, i.e. grammar, the science of metres, i.e. Prosody, Lexicography, the scriptural literature called śruti, the Smrtis, the Purānas, the Epics and historical books, the Āgamas, Logic, Dramaturgy, Politics and Economics, Erotics, Yoga Philosophy and Psychology as well as special practical sciences like treatises on Elephants, Horses, Swords, jewellary, matallurgy, gambling, magic, archery and the auxiliary sciences such as Astronomy, Astrology, Phonetics etc. Some of these sciences are enumerated by name in the list given in the gloss, while the minor sciences are hinted at by the word Ādi (etc.) used at the end of the expression. Thus, the range of the poet's knowledge is indeed formidable and staggering,
The poet is to be sufficiently conversant with these systematic bodies of knowledge so that he can press it into service while composing his creative works. To emphasis this point, Hemachandra provides in his sub-commentary, Viveka, a long list of illustrations to prove that the Sanskrit poets actually displayed versatility of genius and tremendous powers of scientific discription when they dealt with the different situations in their literary works so as to make them realistic. Thus, he explains in his Viveka that the word Loka includes all kinds of objects animate as well as inanimate, and their behavour. This Loka is of numerous types based on location, time and the like, and a detailed discussion of this is attempted in the Chapter 10 devoted to the flaws of the sentiment, particularly in relation to the sevenfold nature of the universal objects. So far as the literary, philosophical, religious, mythological as well as the organic and inorganic physical disciplines are concerned, the Viveka commentary provides a large number of poetical illustrations to demonstrate the practical utility of the poet's knowledge of the different scientific and creative disciplines. Examples of
26
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org