________________
Mammata's Definition of Guņas
Mammața, who follows in the footsteps of Anandavardhana, defines Guņas as those attributes of the Rasa, that are like the heroism of the soul, that cause its exaltation and have an unceasing existence121 ( 77afgaz: !.
in the gloss that follows this kārika (K.P. VIII. 66 ff.), Mammața, elaborates on this : “ Just as heroism etc, belong to the soul only, and not to the form, so also sweetness or Mādhurya etc. belong to the Rasa only, not to the letters. But, sometimes, on seeing the tall figure which is appropriate to heroism, the usage - His form alone is heroic'- prevails and in others, even when someone is not brave, he is called brave only on the basis of his large physical frame or body, whereas in certain other cases even a brave man is called not brave only because of his short form. Just as such usages prevail amongst people who do not know for sure, similarly the use of Mādhurya etc. being prevalent (figuratively) for soft letters suggestive of tender Rasas (like Srngāra etc.), those who are devoid of the knowledge that excellences extend as far as Rasas, use Madhurya or sweetness etc., for the letters suggestive of Rasas which are tender and the like and speak of untenderness of these letters which in fact help the tender Rasa etc. Therefore, the sweetness etc. are attributes of the Rasas which are manifested through the choice words (Varņas) and these do not depend simply on the letters. We shall presently illustrate how these letters become suggestive of the Rasas." Gunas and Alamkāras Distinguished
Having thus explained the concept of Guņa in its relation to Rasa, Mammața turns to the discussion of the distinction between the concepts of Guņa and Alaskāra. So in the next Kārika (K.P.VIII.67), he tries to determine the general character of Alamkāra in its relation to Rasa :
उपकुर्वन्ति तं सन्तं1 2 2 येऽङ्गद्वारेण जातुचित् । हारादिवदलङ्कारास्तेऽनुप्रासोपमादयः ॥
344
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
