Handbook of Classical Sanskrit Rhetoric /112

56
 
A Handbook of Classical<headword>उपमा</headword>
 
उपमा Upamā : Sanskrit Rhetoric
 
3441 Upamāimile : Simile :
 

 
It is upa √mā (< māti) to measure, limit, compare with, prepare, arrange;

upamā literally means resemblance, comparison, similarity, likeness etc.

As a figure of speech Upamā (Simile Latin similus like) is the

explicit statement of similarity existing between two or more

things. Therefore, resemblance (sādṛsya) is the basic principle of

simile. Rhetorically such resemblance is a kind of symbolism of lan-

guage and this literary device is the best gift of human speech for

the poets and writers. Similarity or resemblance between one and

the other has been expressed in so many ways in literatures of the

world. All language is metaphor and all metaphor is another kind

of simile; each and every successful simile is also a metaphor.

Simile or metaphor is unavoidable in language. Rhetorically simile

is founded entirely on resemblance which one object bears to

another. Logically sādṛśya or resemblance is based on the similarity

of the qualities to the maximum extent between two objects

though they are basically different. Simile or metaphor creates an
agreeable image and prints the idea more specifically and clearly

agreeable image and prints the idea more specifically and clearly
in the mind of the reader. In classification methodology, upamā or

sādṛsya is considered as one the distinguishing attributes of things

of the similar nature. Rhetorical features of Upamā are as follows:

(i) there are two similar things --upameya ie the object of

comparison or the thing compared to, and upamāna ie

the standard of comparison as well as their common

attribute (sādhāraṇa dharma),
 

(ii) the object of comparison and the standard of compari-
 

son must be different in kind,
(iii)
 
the object of comparison and the standard of compari-
son must be different in kin resemblance between the two should be explicitly
stated and not implied,
 
(iii)
 
resemblance between the two should be explicitly
stated and not implied,
 

(iv)
 
resemblance should be artistically agreeable, sponta-
neous and self-evident,
(v)
 
no contrast or disagreeableness or difference between

the two should be expressly stated.
 
resemblance should be artistically agreeable
 
In such comparison between two different objects, sponta-
neous and self-evident,
 
In such comparison between two differentnormally
the upameya (ie the objects, normally
the upameya (ie the ob of comparison) is project of comparison) is projected as superior
 
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Original from
 
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
 
ed as superior