The eminence of our country Bharat is enshrined in our unique culture and sagacious knowledge transmitted by our sages and scholars through the treatises (i.e. Sastra) in Sanskrit language.
Sahityasastra is one among such treatises that gives contentment both to the writer and the reader. But, at the same time we should remember that it is not easy to compose a poem for it should meet the criteria defined by our poets which is in tradition for millenniums. It is also applicable to the Epics (i.c. Ramayana and Mahabharata) in spite of telling us the life history of two great incarnations of the Lord. And, that is why they are being celebrated and exist as the sources to date for the composition of many kavyas not only in the literary field of Sanskrit but also in other languages.
Thus it is evident that composing kavyas or mahakavyas in Sanskrit is not just as easy as writing some sentences. If it is the case, then one should think how much intellect is required to write a text that defines the characteristics (laksana) not only of a poem but also its allied elements such are sentiments (rasa), figures of speech (alankara), etc. This kind of texts are classified as 'theory of poetics (i.e. Alankarasastra). The Natyasastra of Bharatamuni is regarded as the oldest extant work on this theme. Though this text deals more with the elements of dramaturgy, it also exposits the theory of Rasa and other topics pertain to Alankarasastra.
The tradition then was continued by poets like Bhamaha, Dandin, Vamana, etc., and their works were given importance for they dealt with in detail the poetic elements. After them, it was Mammața (11 CE) who possesses a unique position in the field of poetics for his far-famed Kavyaprakasa (KP). To highlight the importance of this text, I would like to quote here the words of P. V. Kane from his expounded introduction to the Sahityadarpana: "Like the Sarirakabhasya in Vedanta or the Mahabhasya in grammar, the Kavyaprakasa becomes a starting point for future exegesis and expansion. The great merit of the work is that it combines fullness of treatment with consciousness. In 142 karikas (often called sūtras) the whole field of Poetics is traversed".
The present work Kavyadarpana (KD) by Rajacudamanidiksita (17 CE) is one among such works that was composed taking the KP in account as an inspiration and the ground-work. The KD consists of 10 chapters in which the author explains all poetic elements that are dealt with in the KP by Mammața. Rajacudamanidiksita was a prolific writer and composed numerous works in many branches of knowledge in Sanskrit which is evident from the concluding verses found at the end of chapter 10 of the text. The author has cited also his predecessors and their works and at times even criticizes their views to explain a few poetic elements like Dhvani, Dosa, etc. It is evident that Rajacudamanidiksita has put on much effort to distinguish his work, the KD, from the earlier works on poetics and to show the uniqueness of it in the literature field of Sanskrit. Although the karikas can be identified with the KP, the self-authored explanation and the detailed discussion on some particular aspects of some karikas become evident to argue that the KD is an original work of the author.
The editors, Dr. Lakshminarasimham S and Dr. Vinoth M of the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), have given a detailed introduction in Sanskrit about the author, his life-sketch, the text KD, the facts for claiming the originality of the work, etc. It really gives me an immense pleasure to write a foreword for this first ever complete edition in Devanagari script of the KD. I would like to appreciate the efforts of the editors for:
a. not only giving the details of the manuscripts used for this edition but also the details of all manuscripts of the KD available in the Indian libraries.
b. not only giving the details of other editions that are published, years ago partially (i.e. incomplete) but also acknowledging their utilization for this edition.
I appreciate also the French Institute of Pondicherry for extending a great support to the editors (i.e. researchers) and for providing the facilities and materials required for the preparation of this edition. It is a great pleasure to proclaim that this first complete edition in Devanagari script is brought out to the public by the editors under the "Ashtaadashi scheme" of the Central Sanskrit University and especially under the CSU's publication series.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
Astrology (112)
Ayurveda (102)
Gita (71)
Hinduism (1246)
History (141)
Language & Literature (1632)
Learn Sanskrit (26)
Mahabharata (28)
Performing Art (64)
Philosophy (415)
Puranas (120)
Ramayana (50)
Sanskrit Grammar (245)
Sanskrit Text Book (33)
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