Srngaramanjari Katha

Author(s): Bhojdev, Kalpalata K Munshi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Page 62

A CRITICAL APPRECIATION OF THE SMK
Diction
In the SMK, while describing the heroine the author says:
शृङगारमञ्जरीगद्यप्रवृत्तिरिव सुललितपदा | (p. १३ )
It describes his choice of words as being elegant. And indeed, unlike the other prose Kävyas, which abound in harsh and jingling words, the choice of words in the SMK is simple and carries verbal assonance. Conscious effort has been made at some places for alliteration. For example: उड्डीन शिखण्डिमण्डली कलापकल्पिताखण्डलकोदण्डाकाण्डमण्डितगगन मण्डलाम् (p. o) and even in short sentences like: साच अपरुषा वेषे, अव्यपदेश्या देशभाषासु गल्भा प्रश्नोत्तरप्रहेलिकादिप्रभेदेषु. लब्धलक्ष्या लास्ये, अक्षमा समस्यासु, प्रबुद्धा प्रबन्ध
निबन्धनेषु । (p. १२ )
Free use is made of compounds but they are not difficult of comprehension. Diction is varied; but it is not obscure. Synonymous and paranomastic words are often met with; rare words like samaja and pattanikā;; philosophical terms like smṛti-pramosa and avidya; and technical terms like bhäți and grahanaka are freely used. The influence of contemporary diction on the language is obvious. Thus we have instances of Prakrit words like Kaḍavakka and Deśya words like akka and avva in the text. Sometimes the base of a Prakrit or Deśya word is used to coin a Sanskrit word. For example we have the words thaka and thakayitva, the base of which is the Deśya word 'thaga'; or again the word tiriṭillitani of which the base is the Prakrit word tiritilla. These words have been explained in the Notes.
39
Occasionally we come across general observations which can pass as sayings, like:
गार्हस्थ्यं हि निखिलाश्रमजीवभूतम्
180
In a work like this where the action of the tale is obstructed by lengthy descriptions there is hardly any scope for conversations. Yet at a few places we have instances of conversations which are forceful and direct. Thus the first conversation between the king and his friends is interesting. The one between Lavangikā and Priyangikā (in the fourth tale) is the natural, while that between Lavanyasundari and Vikrama (sixth tale) is short but tense.
Characterization
The delineation of characters in the SMK follows the purpose of the text, and therefore the characters represent. 'types' rather than individuals. A large number of characters have been depicted including kings, princes, courtiers, merchants and Brahmaņas. But the interest lies not in the variety of their different stations in life but in the workings of their minds. The author shows a thorough understanding of the human mind-its innermost workings-which make up the personality of the man and makes him react differently 36. See Appendix II.