________________
150
Gaüḍavaho
86. An ordinary poet has to scratch his head long to think of a suitable theme for his composition. A great poet, like Valmiki, finds themes rushing to his imagination, without any effort ( णिरारंभ ) on his part. The sight of a Krauñca bird, shot by a hunter, was enough to inflame his poetic Fancy. For a similar idea, compare – लौकिकानां हि साधूनामर्थं वागनुवर्तते । ऋषीणां पुनरद्यानां वाचमर्थोऽनुधावति ॥ उत्तर० I. 10.
87. Immortal and divine is the Poetical speech, a petal, as it were of Atman, or the Divine Soul. Cf. वन्देमहि च तां वाणीममृतामात्मनः कलाम् । This speech has inspired poets of all ages since the beginning of the world (आसंसारं ) and has throbbed and vibrated on their lips. Although so used by poets every day, She has remained as new and fresh even to this day, like a precious jewel kept in an air-tight casket, with its seals intact. Cf. क्षणे क्षणे यन्नवतामुपैति तदेव रूपं रमणीयतायाः ॥
88. णीसामण्णाण - निसामान्यानां - of the uncommon or extraordinary (poets ). Cf. अभ्युत्कटोत्कर्षयोगात तत्कृतकाव्यस्य श्रोतरि योग्ये असति मूकत्वमेव महाकवीनां युक्तमित्यर्थः । Com. Cf. also – इतरकर्मफलानि यदृच्छया विलिख तानि सहे चतुरानन । अरसिकेषु कवित्वनिवेदनं शिरसि मा लिख मा लिख मा लिख ॥ सुभा.
89. Great poets like Kalidasa have now developed a halo of lustre around their names and hence no one would care to analyse their merits in detail for a critical appreciation of their literary works. Their names are enough to justify their high position in the galaxy of poets. Cf. महाकवीनां नाममात्रग्रहणे प्रत्यक्षायमाणा नाम्नीव संक्रान्ता गुणा द्रागित्येव निर्विवादं प्रथन्ते, अतः कस्तान् विचारयतीत्यर्थः 1 Com.
90. Men there are who are proud and boast of their knowledge and understanding of eminent poets like Kālidāsa, Bāņa or Bhavabhuti and thereby arrogate greatness to themselves. This is a vain, useless effort ending only in misery. Cf. अन्येsपि ते आयासाय वहन्ति आत्मनः केवलं माहात्म्यं । महाकविकाव्यं प्राप्य तद्विषयविचारयोग्यत्वाभिमानम् ॥ Com.
91. Great poets are difficult to understand in their subtle and intricate net-work o poetic fancies (विअप्प - जालं). Those who cannot understand, feel as if they are enveloped in darkness, while those who understand and appreciate, feel the dawn of
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org