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________________ SANSKRIT AND PRAKRIT MAHAKAVYAS Writers on poetics define and describe the salient features of an epicmahakavya : Dandin, one of the earliest alamkarikas, lays down in his Kavyadarsa the following characteristics : The subject should be taken from old narratives or traditions (itihasaKathodbhutam), not therefore invented; the hero should be noble and clever (caturodatta nayakam); there should be descriptions of cities, oceans, mountains, seasons, the rising (and setting) of the Sun and the Moon, sport in parks or water sport, drinking (madhupana), love feasts, (ratotsava), separations, marriages, the birth of a son, meeting of councils, (mantra), envoys, campaigns, battles and the victory of the hero although his rival's merits may be exalted. It should not be too short or compressed (asamksipta) and it should flow with sentiments and emotions (rasa-bhava-nirantaram). It should be marked with effective samdhis. The metres should be charming (sravya-vrttaih upetam); and each canto, which should not be too long, should end with a change of metre (sarvatra bhinna - vrttantaih upetam). The poem should open with a prayer (benediction), paying homage or invoking a blessing or an indication of the subject-matter (asirnamaskriya vastu-nirdeso vapi tanmukham). It should promote the four ends of human existence : dharma-Duty or Conduct, arthaWorldly success or Wealth or successful practical life, kama love and moksafinal release. The famous Sanskrit mahakavyas-Asvaghosa's Buddhacarita (the life of the Buddha), Saundarananda (The Handsome Nanda-the Gautama Buddha's half-brother); The Kumarasambhava (The Birth of Kumara Kartikeya) and the Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa, Bharavi's Kiratarjuniya, Magha's Sisupalavadha (slaying of sisupala), Sriharsa's Naisadhacarita or Naisadhiya (Life of Nala), etc., satisfy more or less, generally speaking, the above requirements. Asvaghosa is almost ignored by Sanskrit alamkarikas (literary critics or writers on poetics). We say almost because Rajasekhara quotes one verse from Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001868 |
| Book Title | Studies in Jain Literature |
| 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 |