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However, the discreet will find out that my acceptance ends with the field covering the ancient literature laying down the thoughts of the Mimāmsakas, the Naiyāyikas and the Vaiyākaranas. With our entry into the wide and open field of Alamkāraśāstra proper, i.e. with the works of Bharata, Bhāmaha and down to Jagannātha, of course including Anandavardhana, Abhinavagupta and Mammata, I have tried to project some original line of thinking that may prove to be of great value to the adhikārins. This is a modest claim but a sure one. I have accepted ideas and also drafting from Gnoli, Masson, Patwardhan, K. Krishnamoothy, and the rest, but with a touch of my own original contribution. I feel I am on absolutely sure and safe ground when I travel through this area of alamkāra-Sastra proper, convering nearly two thousand years of creative thinking. My work will surely guide the adhikārī aspirant who wants to have a glimpse of the greatness of the Indian ācāryas, who have left behind their foot-prints on the sands of literary aesthetics. It may be noted that I have presented the rasa theory in a new perspective, and believe me, this is what I claim for sure, - a perspective which acknowledges the catholicity of rasa theory as it seems to serve the cause even of what they term 'absurd theatre' or 'absurd poetry. I am sure the discerning will take note of all this and try to evaluate this work in an unbiased way. At the same time may I remind the learned of the words of Jayanta who said, "kutósti nūtanam vastu ?", or of the words quoted as above of Abhinavagupta suggesting that all fresh results follow the achievements of the earlier masters, i.e. after climbing the 'viveka-sopana-paramparā' one gets into something fresh. So, I invite the sensitive and thoughtful adhikarins to have a soft corner for me and extend their helping hand. The great Mahimā observes : (Vyakti-viveka) -
"yuktóyam ātmasadęśān prati me prayatno nā'sty eva taj jagati, sarva-manoharan yat, kecij jvalanti, vikasanty, apare nimilanty
anye yad abhyudayabhāji jagat-pradīpe.” The discerning are requested to read every line, before pronouncing a judgement.... I wish that only those, through whose arteries and veins alamkāraśāstra flows, should venture to review this work. No lesser soul should attempt it. So, we humbly say -
"adya pratanyate'smābhih viduşām prītaye mudā astādaśā'dhikariņi mīmāmsā kāvya-vartmani."
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