History of Sanskrit Poetics c6.39

c6.39

together and their connection with each other will be briefly pointed out. The first problem of Poetics is to declare what poetry can do for us and for the poet also (i.e. to enumerate the प्रयोजनs of काव्य). Then the śāstra has to consider the essential qualities that constitute the equipment of a poet (i. e. काव्यहेतु has to be considered). A definition of kāvya is attempted. In defining a kāvya, reference is generally made to śabda and artha and one has also to say what constitutes the soul or the essence of kāvya (which makes काव्य what it is). It is here (about the soul of poetry) that the greatest divergence of view prevails. As śabda and artha are necessary for kāvya, the various powers of word and its relation to artha have to be discussed. This leads to the topic of the three वृत्तिs, अभिधा, लक्षणा and व्यञ्जना and their sub-divisions and the three kinds of artha, वाच्य, लक्ष्य and व्यङ्ग्य. The critic has to give the several divisions of kāvya from different stand-points, viz. into गद्य, पद्य and मिश्र (according to the external form), into the best, mediocre and inferior kāvya according to the predominance or otherwise of the most essential things in a kāvya, into दृश्य and श्रव्य, into संस्कृत, प्राकृत etc. (according to the language employed) and so on. The division into दृश्य and श्रव्य opens up the vast field of dramaturgy. Certain guṇas must always be present. As to their number (3, 10, 24 etc.) great difference of opinion prevails. As allied to this subject of guṇas, the various dictions (rītis) have to be considered. A kāvya must be free from blemishes and therefore the doṣas of pada, vākya, artha, rasa etc. have to be discussed. Lastly, certain embellishments of kāvya (either of śabda, artha or of both) are dealt with. Certain works on Poetics go beyond this and lay down practical rules (as to the conventions to be observed by poets) and give information of an encyclopaedic character (e. g. about geography, about flora and fauna etc.).