________________ VIDYASTAKAM Poetry, Poetry with the pictorial figures). In this kind of poetry the letters are arranged in particular ways in the form of a sword (khadga) or a drum (muraja) or a lotus (padma) and so forth. This type of poetry is extremely difficult. It is therefore called kastakavya, a sort of acrobatics in poetry. Generally speaking, it exhibits the poet's sakti-pratibha or rather the flexibility of his pratibha only; and is of no use for instruction in the means to the achievement of the four ends of human life (purusarthas). Ancient Sanskrit poets like Bharavi, Magha, etc., took delight in composing such citrabandhas. There is a sort of vaicitrya (strikingness) in them but they are, with rare exceptions, devoid of rasa. The pundits of those days used to appreciate this kind of kavya. And to win their applause and admiration the poets used to write such laboured poetry. Niyam Sagarji has composed this work with the avowed purpose of expressing his deep devotion to his own revered guru. He deserves praise for successfully carrying out his strenuous undertaking. Being fully aware how difficult laboured kavyas are, the poet has himself added a Sanskrit commentary as well as a Hindi commentary to his kavya. For the benefit and easy understanding of his readers he has also added pictures of the different bandhas. At the end he has added two useful appendices : 1. dealing with the technical terms and 2. another describing the way of life (acara) of a Digambara muni (monk). The work is prefaced with an Introduction (named * VIDYASTAKAM : Shri Pradeep Jain, Pradeep Cutpiece, Ashok Nagar (PH. 22462, 22746) MP. 1994, pp, XXXVII + 200. Rs. 100. For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org Jain Education International
