Kavyanushasana Critical Study

SR No.: 001713
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A N Upadhye
Publisher: A N Upadhye
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 558
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Kavya
File Size: 10 MB

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illustration. Thus, while refering to śabdānušāsana, he first explains that it is grammar and that from a study of grammar, purity and chasteness of language results, and then quotes the verse Dvigurapi etc. Similarly, with reference to Chando'nuśāsana he says it is known as Chando'viciti (Metrics) and then explains that, although a good deal of metrics can be known from reading poetry, still an exact knowledge of the measurement of particularly difficult metres can be definitely obtained from the science of metres. Then he illustrates the poet's proficiency in metrics by quoting an example from his own work on matrics, the Chando'nuśāsana (Chapter 2, Sū. 48). The third systematic work that a poet has to consult on and off is the Dictionary of names, viz. Abhidhānakośa which is described as a 'string of names' (Nāmamālā). This is a constant companion of the poet in as much as it helps the poet in determining the precise meanings of a word and its synonyms. Thus by means of a lexicon, the budding poet improves his vocabulary as also ascertains the precise senses of the different words. Now, while illustrating the poet's knowledge of words and their precise meanings as well as a clever use by him of these in his compositions, Hemachandra introduces a discussion as to whether or not a poet is at liberty to select totally new words from the dictionary for employment in his composition.11 incidentally, Hemachandra borrows a passage from the third Chapter of the First Adhikaraṇa of Vāmana's Kavyālamkārāsūtravștti, 1 2 where Vāmana has discussed this question. The passage means that the employment of a new word (which is never before used by well known authors) by the poet, by virtue of his knowledge of the dictionary is not proper; for, an unprecedented use of such words is considered to be a flaw in the composition and this flaw is known as the fault of the word (Padadoşa ). Now, if it be objected that, since here a word already employed is to be employed, then what is there to create a doubt about the meaning of that word ? In other words, proficiency in the lexicons is not necessary
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