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XXXIV
INTRODUCTION But not withstan,ling these shortcomings he possesses felicity and uchness of exp pugion and slepth of meaning', which, according to his own opinion, are the insprutable character istics of learning and skill'? His works display a complete mastery of language. The way in which he gives a necular turn to the VAT-( according as a new idea strikes the mind of the praker or a new curcumstance happens, is an index of his wonderful Command of language "Thius in Jr IV 32 the sage Visvāmitra starts with herpeto-shtare nel but realizing that the word damana would Juezils won the feeling of Parasurama, at once substitutes vidīta instead In V VI ; Malyirs ūn proudly talks of the strength of his arm as being canull of erum the enemy. but when his left eye thiobs prognosticat111' n uuturtunut nii. he changes the turn of his speech In My VI 10 Risana talh-hunchtily of his all-surpassing valour, but being filled with uitymel. In additii lent manner. In Mv. VII 4 Alakā expresses her surrin at the chaste Sitä leing made to undergo purification, but an after that tht make her look upon it as an instance of the peculiar way of the world. In 1'11 III.26 Väsanti is too much overcome with passion to timesh her weh in the strain in which she had begun, and finishes it in a chatte rent, thougłı very appropriate manner, so as to produce a still greater effect. In Thlt VII. 40 a similar close of Rama's speech heightens the dramatic ctfect. In Mal. IX. 54 Makalanda fails to explain the disappearance of his friend, but then all of a sudden comes to realize that it might tue lue to the magical powers of Saudāmini 2
Another feature of his style is the singular way of indicating the lepth of a certain feeling ly describing it as incomprehensible and undefinwhile In-tance are Utt I. 33, III. 11, 39, Māl I 21, 33
Another beautiful tirit is that very often the sound imitates the sense He employ's letters which well fit in with the idea intended to be expressed, thuy ondancing its effect. Instances are Mv. I 34, 35, 45 b, II 16 cd, 17c; III, 39, , 1.1', 29, Ut II. 30, V.5, 6, 9, and Māl V 19, VI. 7, 8, VIII. 9, 1X. 9.
Again, what lends an indescrihable charm to his style is his fondness for the use of proverbsial expressions, which are the result of his vast experience and close observation. As illustrations we might mention Mv., p. fi,1, 6; 1.12; 1. 23 cd , 1.30c, I. 33 b, p. 20,1 9, II 4d, II. 32 d, p. 59, 1. 12; p. 61, L. 9 ; III. 3d, 111 9ab, p 70,1.1, III. 34 a; III. 35, p. 88, 1. 10; IV. 28; p. 99, 1.4; IV. 27 cd; IV. 33 cd, p. 117,1 11, p 139, 1.8; V. 48cd; p. 145, 1. 15; V. 59; p. 153, 1. 12, p 178, 1. 8; p 208, 1. 6, Mäl. I. 8d; I. 17; I. 26 cd; I. 26/27 (snehas ca, &c), I 27; I. 35/36 (na khalu, &c.); II. (paccukkhu-sokkha-dārņo, &c.); II. 2/3 (itaretaränurägo, 1 Vide Mal. 1. 10.
Cf. also Mal. I 20, Mv. VI 6, 88.
