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Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c10.s5: Kāvyamīmāṁsā as a Vāda Text

Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c10.s5

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English

Kāvyamīmāṁsā as a Vāda Text

c10.s5.1

Rājaśekhara’s views on knowledge systems and argumentative philosophies have been referred earlier (see Chap. 2). He had modelled his *Kāvyamīmāṁsā* on Kauṭilya’s *Arthaśāstra*, so that the whole text is designed in the *vāda* style. He states various prima- facie views and then expounds his view. He refers to various views under the denominations such as *tad āhuḥ* (as they say), *iti ācāryāḥ* (thus speak the masters), *iti apare* (the others say this), *iti kecit* (some say so), or he will cite the names of the theorists. For example, his discourse on *vidyās* may be cited.¹⁶

c10.s5.2

Rājaśekhara in this lively style presents some very fascinating debates on certain fundamental issues related to poetry or belles- lettres. Amongst these debates, discussion on the relationship between poetry and the worldy phenomena is noteworthy. Rājaśekhara has referred to divergent views; some holding that the phenomena exist independent of *kāvya* or belles-lettres, while the others going to the extent of insisting that the worldly phenomena do not exist on their own, they exist as per their representation in poetry. Rājaśekhara attempts at reconciliation between these two polarities.

c10.s5.3

Another important debate elucidated by Rājśekhara pertains to the value of *kāvya*. The puritans insist on doing away with all forms of *kāvya*. Rājaśekhara has cited three statements from these opponents of *kāvya* with the respective arguments advanced by each. The detractors of *kāvya* say that no one should engage with *kāvya* because *kāvya* subsists in falsehood, sin and vulgarity. Rājaśekhara enumerates these as three different prima-facie views¹⁷ and after elaborating upon their arguments, he takes them one by one for refutation with profuse examples. This in fact is a fight against the puritans with their Platonic ideas.

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