Kavyanushasana Critical Study

Author(s): A N Upadhye
Publisher: A N Upadhye

Page 77

(Pādadvaya) or (4) three lines (Padatraya) or (5) a fraction of a word (Padaikadeśa) or (6) a phrase or saying (Ukti). What is Plagiarism ?
The Viveka Commentary proceeds to illustrate the imitation or borrowing of a word, a line, two lines, three lines, but declares that borrowing all the four lines or a whole verse from another author's poem constitutes plagiarism of the first magnitude and therefore, it is neither defined nor mentioned nor illustrated. Such a wholesale borrowing is considered as complete theft: 'Paripūrņam cauryameva', the Viveka Commentary affirms unequivocally and proceeds further with the illustration of the borrowing of a part of a word and that of a phrase or saying (Ukti)
Here, a statement from the Kāvyamīmāṁsā (Chapter 11) is quoted (10) to the effect that when expressions or sayings (Ukti's) of the ancient poets are employed to convey another meaning, it is not possible to recognize them. On the contrary. they are enjoyable. However, borrowing the meanings of these sayings is worse than plagiarism. So it must not be recommended. This view is attributed to yāyavariya, i.e. Rājasekhara himself.
In Defence of Plagiarism
Continuing the discussion on plagiarism, the Viveka Tīkā. quotes (11) another passage of considerable theoretical interest. If it be felt that this (borrowing of a saying or phrase) should never be preached, since they say "With the passage of time, the other thefts of a man may pass; but the theft of speech (poetical plagiarism) does not pass away even till one's sons and gransons," to meet this apprehension, the author replies: "In keeping with norms of propriety,"14 For as Avantisundari says (12): "This poet is unknown, I am a celebrated poet; this one is not established, I have established