A History of Sanskrit Literature c14.32

c14.32

These six artificial epics are recognised as *Mahākāvyas*, or "Great Poems," and have all been commented on by Mallinātha. The characteristics of this higher class are set forth by Daṇḍin in his *Kāvyādarça*, or "Mirror of Poetry" (i. 14–19). Their subjects must be derived from epic story (*itihāsa*), they should be extensive, and ought to be embellished with descriptions of cities, seas, mountains, seasons, sunrise, weddings, battles fought by the hero, and so forth.