A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s2.109

v3.c35.s2.109

A comprehensive work on poetics is the Sarasvatī-kaṇṭhābharaṇa⁶, “Ornament of the Neck of Sarasvatī (the Goddess of Speech)” of which the authorship is ascribed to the famous king Bhoja of Dhārā (11th century). Bhoja distinguishes between three classes of alaṁkāras—besides śabdālaṅkāra and arthālaṅkāra, there is also the one in which both śabda and artha are joined together at the same time. He sub-divides each of them further into 24. According to his theory there is a single sentiment, namely erotic, present in poetry. He, however, attaches more importance to the merit of composition (guṇa) that generates the sentiment than to the alaṁkāras. If there is a poem that has several embellishments in it, but lacks in guṇa, it is not beautiful like a woman lacking in youth, just though she is splendidly decorated. As for the rest, Bhoja slavishly follows Daṇḍin¹, although he himself is frequently quoted in Kāvyaprakāśa. The chief merit of the work of Bhoja lies in the fact that he cites in it a number of stanzas---including those in Prākrit too². Consequently, it can justly be considered as an anthology as well.