2023-02-15 09:59:10 by ambuda-bot
This page has not been fully proofread.
56
A Handbook of Classical Sanskrit Rhetoric
3441 Upamā : 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
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)
resemblance between the two should be explicitly
stated and not implied,
(iv)
(v)
no contrast or disagreeableness or difference between
the two should be expressly stated.
resemblance should be artistically agreeable, sponta-
neous and self-evident,
In such comparison between two different objects, normally
the upameya (ie the object of comparison) is projected as superior
Google
Digitized by
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
A Handbook of Classical Sanskrit Rhetoric
3441 Upamā : 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
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)
resemblance between the two should be explicitly
stated and not implied,
(iv)
(v)
no contrast or disagreeableness or difference between
the two should be expressly stated.
resemblance should be artistically agreeable, sponta-
neous and self-evident,
In such comparison between two different objects, normally
the upameya (ie the object of comparison) is projected as superior
Digitized by
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN