Prakrit Verses In Sanskrit Works On Poetics Part 02 - Book Summary

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Book Title: Prakrit Verses in Sanskrit Works On Poetics Author: V. M. Kulkarni Publisher: B. L. Institute of Indology Volume: II: Translation (with Introduction, Glossary and Notes)

Core Objective: This volume aims to provide a deeper understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of Prakrit poetry, particularly its significant influence on Sanskrit poetics (Alamkara Shastra). It seeks to highlight the richness and importance of Prakrit literature, challenging any dismissive or contemptuous views scholars might hold about the language and its literary output.

Key Components of the Volume:

Introduction:
- Influence of Prakrit on Sanskrit Poetics: For the first time, this section demonstrates how Prakrit verses significantly impacted Sanskrit alankarikas (poetics scholars) in formulating, explaining, and clarifying their theories of Sanskrit poetry.
- Sources of Prakrit Verses: It provides readers with essential information about the Prakrit poetic works from which Sanskrit authors drew their illustrative verses, emphasizing Prakrit poetry as a rich source for them.
- Defense of Prakrit Poetry: The introduction aims to counter the perception of Prakrit language and literature as inferior, highlighting praise from eminent Sanskrit writers like Banabhatta, Dandin, Anandavardhana, and Rajashekhara.
- Addressing Accusations: It directly confronts the charge of obscenity against Prakrit poetry, clarifying that while it may be highly erotic, it is not inherently obscene.
Translation:
- The translations are described as neither strictly free nor literal, aiming for accuracy, lucidity, and readability.
- A substantial number of illustrative verses, particularly gathās and skandhakas not found in extant Prakrit works, are translated into English for the first time.
Glossary:
- Explains unfamiliar or unusual words, providing their corresponding Sanskrit terms and English equivalents.
Notes:
- Emphasize the literary beauty of the Prakrit verses.
- Offer explanations for anything necessary to fully grasp the import of the verses.

Distinctive Features of the Present Edition (Volume II):

Treasury of Verses: Presents Prakrit illustrative verses from numerous Sanskrit works on poetics.
Source Tracing: Makes a determined effort to trace illustrative verses to their original sources, noting them below the Prakrit verses with their Sanskrit chāyā (literal Sanskrit translation).
Textual Restoration: Satisfactorily restores the text of many Prakrit verses, especially from Kuntaka's Vakroktijīvita, Bhoja's Sarasvatikanthabharana and Srïngäraprakäśa, Ruyyaka's Sahityamimāṁsā, and Sobhakara's Alamkararatnākara, by considering context, meter, and overall import.
Tentative Restorations: Acknowledges that some verse restorations are tentative, with scope for improvement by other scholars.
Variant Readings: Notes and discusses noteworthy variant readings in the Notes section.
First-Time Translations: Translates a considerable number of illustrative verses and skandhakas not found in works like Gathāsaptashati and Vajjālagga into readable English for the first time.
Influence Analysis: Demonstrates in the Introduction how Prakrit verses influenced the formulation and exposition of Sanskrit poetic theories.
Importance of Prakrit Poetry: Highlights Prakrit poetry as a "gold mine" for Sanskrit writers, even when Sanskrit literature was readily available. It specifically mentions Govardhana's imitation of Hala's Gathāsaptashati in his Āryāsaptashati.
Praise from Sanskrit Writers: Counters negative scholarly views by presenting praise for Prakrit poetry from prominent Sanskrit writers like Banabhatta, Dandin, Anandavardhana, and Rajashekhara.
Addressing Obscenity Charge: Argues that Prakrit poetry, while erotic, is not obscene, and that alankarikas cited them for their poetic merit, not for obscenity hidden by language.

Key Themes and Findings Discussed in the Introduction:

Need for Critical Edition: The author highlights the corrupt nature of many Prakrit texts within Sanskrit works and the need for critical editions, comparative study, and tracing of sources.
Volume of Prakrit Citations: Emphasizes the sheer volume of Prakrit verses cited, with Bhoja's Srïngāraprakāśa alone quoting about 1650 verses.
Praise for Prakrit Poetry: Quotes extensively from Vajjalaggam and various poets (Vakpati, Rajashekhara, commentators) to showcase the high regard for Prakrit poetry due to its sweetness, accessibility, and evocative power.
Māhārāștri Prakrit: Focuses on poetry in Mahārāștri Prakrit, identifying key works like Gathāsaptashati, Rāvaṇavijaya (lost), Harivijaya of Sarvasena (lost), Setubandha (Rāvaṇavaho), Madhumathavijaya and Gaudavaho of Vakpati, Līlāva (Kouhala), and Viṣamabāṇalīlā of Anandavardhana.
Claims of Prakrit Poetry: Discusses the claims of Prakrit poetry regarding its softness, reality of thought and expression, and its ability to capture common man's sentiments, contrasting it with Sanskrit's often artificial adornments.
Justification of Claims: Critically evaluates these claims, finding them just for anthologies like Gathāsaptashati but exaggerated for epic poems like Setubandha and Gaudavaho which show strong Sanskrit influence and are sometimes difficult without commentaries.
Prakrit Literature in Alamkāra Works: Details the increasing mention and citation of Prakrit literature in Sanskrit poetics works from Anandavardhana onwards, culminating in Bhoja's extensive use of Prakrit verses.
Absence of Separate Prakrit Poetics: Notes the lack of dedicated works on Prakrit poetics, despite a wealth of Prakrit grammar, metrics, and lexicons.
Influence on Sanskrit Poetics: Underscores the significant influence of Prakrit works like Setubandha and Gaudavaho on Sanskrit theorists like Anandavardhana and Kuntaka, citing specific concepts like bandhacchāyā and abhinavā arthagatiḥ.
Erotic vs. Obscene: Distinguishes between the erotic nature of Prakrit poetry and obscenity, arguing that the alankarikas cited them for their artistic merit and not for any hidden obscenity.
Impersonality in Love Poetry: Observes the impersonality in Prakrit love poetry, similar to Sanskrit love poetry, where individuals melt into types.
Psychological Basis for Love Theme: Explains the dominance of love and the erotic sentiment on psychological grounds, as love is a universal and dominant human feeling.
Conclusion: Reiterates the high literary merit of Mahārāștri Prakrit poetry, its comparability to Sanskrit literature, the integration of Sanskrit and Prakrit studies, and the applicability of Sanskrit poetics norms to Prakrit literature.

Structure of the Translation Section:

The bulk of Volume II is dedicated to the translation of Prakrit verses cited in various Sanskrit works on poetics. The chapters are organized by the Sanskrit works in which these verses are found:

Chapter I: Rudraṭa's Kāvyālaṁkāra (with Tippaṇa of Namisādhu)
Chapter II: Dhvanyāloka with Locana
Chapter III: Vakroktijīvita
Chapter IV: Dasarūpaka with Avaloka
Chapter V: Vyaktiviveka
Chapter VI: Śṛṅgāraprakāśa (Vol. I)
Chapter VII: Sarasvatikaṇṭhābharaṇa
Chapter VIII: Kāvyaprakāśa
Chapter IX: Alaṁkārasarvasva with Vimarśinī
Chapter X: Sāhityamīmāṁsā
Chapter XI: Vāgbhaṭālaṁkāra
Chapter XII: Hemacandra's Kāvyānuśāsana
Chapter XIII: Kalpalatāviveka
Chapter XIV: Alaṁkāramahodadhi
Chapter XV: Vāgbhaṭa's Kāvyānuśāsana
Chapter XVI: Sāhityadarpana
Chapter XVII: Rasārṇavasudhakara
Chapter XVIII: Alaṁkāraratnākara
Chapter XIX: Rasagaṅgādhara
Chapter XX: Alaṁkārakaustubha
Appendices I-III cover Ramadāsa's commentary on Setubandha, Dr. V. Raghavan's article on Bhoja, and the source of Sarvasena's Harivijaya.

Overall Significance: This volume is a monumental work that systematically documents and translates Prakrit verses used by Sanskrit poetics scholars. It serves as a crucial bridge between Prakrit and Sanskrit literary traditions, highlighting the mutual enrichment and influence between these two vital streams of Indian literature and aesthetics. It also emphasizes the aesthetic value and sophisticated literary techniques present in Prakrit poetry.