A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s2.129

v3.c35.s2.129

Vidyādhara belongs to the Ānandavardhana's school of poetics. Interesting are his expositions of rasa in the third section. Enjoyment of the sentiment, he says, is "super-natural" (*alaukika*), like the ecstasy of meditation on Brahman (*brahmasvādāsahodara*). This enjoyment is such a supermundane pleasure that one does not think of any other thing, but is completely plunged and lost therein. Just it is explained, as the spectacle of even a tragic or dreadful scene that generates pleasure only. The four chief sentiments, the erotic, the heroic, the dreadful and the disgustful, are explained beautifully in the following manner:—