Kuntaka’s evaluation of Sanskrit literature
by Nikitha. M | 2018 | 72,578 words
This page relates ‘Padataditaka in Kuntaka’s treatment’ of the study on the evaluation of Sanskrit literature with special reference to Kuntaka and his Vakroktijivitam from the 10th century CE. This study reveals the relevance of Sanskrit poetics in the present time and also affirms that English poetry bears striking features like six figurativeness taught by Kuntaka in his Vakroktijivita, in which he propounds the vakrokti school of Sanskrit literary criticism.
8. Pādatāḍitaka in Kuntaka’s treatment
Pādatāḍitaka is a bhāṇa of Śyamilaka and includes under the title caturbhāṇi. The other three are Padmaprābhṛtaka of Śūdraka, Dhūrtaviṭasamvāda of Īśvaradatta and Ubhayābhisārika of Vararuci. These are one act humorous monologues. Another variety of having the same satirical nature is prahasanas. The notable difference between the prahasana and bhāṇa is that the former has greater scope for satire and comedy and the latter has abundance of erotic sentiment. The main topic discussed in the categories of rūpaka like bhāṇa and utsṛṣṭikāṅka are the message of love. The works like Abhinavabhāratī, Aucityavicāracarccā have cited verses from Pādatāḍitaka. Date of Śyamilaka is uncertain, but some external evidences help to surmise that he was lived in the 9th century C.E.
1. Kuntaka’s evaluation of a single verse
Kuntaka cites a single verse from Pādatāḍitaka as an instance of sweetness (mādurya) of intermediary style (madyama mārga). Sweetness of intermediary style has the qualities of both the tender (sukumāra) and variegated (vicitra) style.
The verse cited from Pādatāḍitaka is as follows:-
velānilairmṛdubhirākulitālakāntā gāyanti yasya caritānyaparāntakāntāḥ/
līlānatāḥ samavalambya latāstarūṅām hintālamāliṣu taṭeṣu mahārṇṇavasya//[1]“On the shores of the mighty ocean, studded with palm-groves, the bells on the west-cost lean against shrubby trees, and sing his mighty deeds with curls waving in the gentle sea-breeze.”[2]
According to Kuntaka, the quality named sweetness of tender style should not possess too many compounds and also it should attract the mind of readers not only with charming words but also with beauty of their sense and charming usage. The sweetness in variegated style should be relieved of loose texture. The verse mentioned above is free from numerous compound words and loose texture. So it has the features of the quality named sweetness of both tender and variegated style. Undoubtedly it should delight the readers with its charming usage and meaning. Thus it is considered as the fine instance for the sweetness of intermediary style. The variant readings are found in the third line. The available text of Pādatāḍitaka has the word utkaṇḍitāḥ instead of līlānatāḥ. The word līlānatāḥ is suited to latāstarūṅām. So the proper change made by Kuntaka or the scribe is highly significant.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
ibid,p.65.
[2]:
ibid,p.351.