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Sanskrit Sahityaśāstra
--147
Now, here is another lovely verse from the 8th Canto wherein Siva describes to Pārvati the young rays of the rising moon :
शक्यमोषधिपतेर्नवोदयाः कर्णपूररचनाकृते तव । अप्रगल्भ-यव-सूचि-कोमलाश्छेत्तुमग्रनखसंपुटैः कराः ।।
"It is possible to cut with the curved tips of the nails the young rays of the newly rising moon which are as soft as tender barley sprouts which might serve you as ear-ornaments".
In the Kävyālamkārasūtravịtti Vāmana quotes this verse in connection with a grammatical point, namely, the impersonal use of the word 'sakyam' (Karah cchettum sakyam) even when it differs in gender and number from the noun it qualifies. It is Kuntaka, however, who cites it in his Vakrokti-Jivita and brings out its unique poetic charm in his comments which deserve to be quoted in full :
अत्र रसपरिस्पन्दसौन्दर्यातिशयः समुभासते । तथा च नूतनोदयानां दर्शितसौकुमार्याणां. शशाङ्ककिरणानामन्यादृशः कोऽप्यतिशयः संप्रति समुज्जम्भते, येनात्यर्थकपोलकर्णालकसंपर्कश्लाघनीयां कर्णपूररचनाविच्छित्तिमहतीति पार्वतीपतिः प्रियायाः प्रतिपादयस्तद्वदनेन्दुसौन्दर्यदर्शनेन तत्कालोदितशशाङ्ककरावलोकनेन च रसोच्च (? च्छ) लितचित्तवृत्तिः प्रतीयते ।।5
Here the charm of the rising sentiment shines exquisitely. The rays of the rising moon in all their freshness and delicateness are wonderfully invested with extra-ordinary beauty. The Lord of Parvati (Siva) informs his beloved (Parvati) that the moonrays thereby deserve to serve as ear-ornaments and enjoy the rare privilege of contact with her lovely cheeks, ears, and curly hair. This description suggests how Siva is over-whelmed by love at the sight of Pārvati's lovely moon-face and the tender rays of the rising moon simultaneously.
Here is another verse of supreme beauty which is often quoted by Vamana, Kuntaka, Bhoja, Ruyyaka and Hemacandra in their Alamkara works ::... . • अगुलिभिरिव केशसंचय संनिगृह्यतिमिरं मरीचिभिः। ..... .
कुइमलीकृतसरोजलोचनं चुम्बतीव रजनीमुखं शशी ॥16
"Having collected darkness with his rays like a mass of hair with fingers the moon is, as it were, kissing the mouth (face) of the night wherein the lotus-eyes have been closed."
Vāmana cites it as an example of Utprekşåvayava.17 Kuntaka quotes it as an instance of Rasavad alamkāra with Upamārūpaka and Sleșa and adds that the utpreksā contained in the line 'Cumbativa rajani-mukham sasi' should here be regarded as
14 Kumara VIII. 62 15 Vakrokti-Jivita III. 34, v no. 125 p. 194 16 Kumara VIII 63. 17 Kavyālamkarasatras (under IV. 3.32)
