Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 303

SRNGARARNAVACANDRIKA (ALAMKARASAMGRAHA) OF VIJAYAVARNI 285 of the fourteenth century. The date of Amotanandayogin remains thus uncertain. A comparative study instituted by me leads me to believe that Vijayavarni has much common with PRY and Alamkarasamgraha for the treatment of a few topics. In the present state of our knowledge the question of Vijayavarni's date evades definite determination, and it is but right to keep it open till definite and conclusive evidence comes forth. 4. VIJAYAVARNI'S POETRY In the introduction to his SC Vijavavarni refers to himself as Kavisaktibhasura" and as "Kavisvara'and to his own work in glowing terms. For his karikas he is deeply indebted to authoritative works on poetics and he expressly states, on a few occasions, that he has followed 'Purva-Sastra'. The illustrations and introductory stanzas are, however, his own. A few of these illustrations would appear to have been modelled on those found in his authorities. Considering his verses it is difficult to admit his claim to high poetic power or to the title "Kavisvara'. His poetry is rather pedestrian and highly conventional. There is hardly anything which enlivens his SC. His slokas are easy to understand. At handling elaborate metres he is not so adept. He is guilty at a number of places of the metrical defect called yatibhanga. He profusely uses expletives. Occasionally, we come across similies which are strikinglo; but the work, as a whole, has value rather for its subjectmatter than for its literary merit. 5. THE TITLE OF THE PRESENT WORK In the course of his introductionll to the present work the author tells us that at the request of King Kamiraja he composed Alamkarasamgraha called SC. The colophon 12 refers to the title as 'srngararnavacandrika-namni, alamkarasamgrahe...". From these references it is crystal clear that the author gives 'Alamkarasamgraha' as the general name to the work and SC as the distinguishing appellation. The name 'Alamkarasamgraha' consists of two words : (1) alamkara and (2) samgraha. The word alamkara stands here obviously not in its restricted sense of figures of speech but in its wider sense denoting all such factors as word and sense that should find place in poetry, rasa, bhava, guna, vrtti, riti, sayya, paka, alamkaras and dosas (which a poet should avoid in his composition), in short, Sanskrit poetics. Samgraha primarily means a collection but here it signifies compendium 13 or a brief exposition. Alamkarasamgraha therefore means : A compendium or a brief exposition of Sanskrit poetics 14', and metaphorically, the work dealing with it. According to some, samgraha comprises three parts, namely, uddesa (simple enumeration), laksana (definition) and pariksa (examination or