2023-02-15 09:59:27 by ambuda-bot
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Vikalpaḥ: The Alternative
fach: Vikalpaḥ: The Alternative:
vi kalpa (√kp a) literally means an alternative, a substitute, doubt or
fancy. In Yoga philosophy, the term vikalpa denotes a type of verbal
knowledge which is literally false, but gives an actual statement of
alternatives (vikalpa-vyavahāra). An example of such statement is
śasa-śṛnga ie the horns of a hare. It signifies that though the hare has
no horns, yet such an expression is really used to denote a kind of
false reality. Vikalpa rhetorically means choice of either between two or
choice of any one among many things of equal merit. Such ornamental
statement expressed through the device of alternatives becomes
charming on account of its alternative choice from two or many
things of identical nature or similar merit. Here the charm of
expression lies in the fanciful idea of similitude. Therefore, when
two or more opposite or contrasting objects are equally forceful as
close alternatives and out of these one is acceptable or qualitatively
comes out successful while the other or others are rejected or
denied, the figure of speech attributed there is Vikalpa. Ruyyaka
says that it is often based on śleșa (paronomasia).
eg 1. patatyaviratam vāri / nṛtyanti šikhino mudā.
adya kāntaḥ kṛtānto vā / duḥkhyasyāntam karişyati.
पतत्यविरतं वारि / नृत्यन्ति शिखिनो मुदा
अद्य कान्तः कृतान्तो वा / दुःखस्यान्तं करिष्यति ॥
It's raining non-stop, peacocks with joy dancing
Today it would be either my Love or Death ending my suffering.
2. häro'yam hariṇākṣīṇām luṭhati stana-maṇḍale.
muktānāmapyavastheyam ke vayam smara-kimkarāḥ.
हारोऽयं हरिणाक्षीणां लुठति स्तनमण्डले ।
मुक्तानामप्यवस्थेयं के वयं स्मरकिंकराः ॥
145
On the bosom of the doe-eyed damsels, this necklace rolls,
Such is the plight there of even the pearls;
Then who are we there for any bid,
Who are merely the servants of Cupid!
In the first example, it is asserted that during the rainy season
the sorrowful wife being separated from her husband thinks of two
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Digitized by
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
fach: Vikalpaḥ: The Alternative:
vi kalpa (√kp a) literally means an alternative, a substitute, doubt or
fancy. In Yoga philosophy, the term vikalpa denotes a type of verbal
knowledge which is literally false, but gives an actual statement of
alternatives (vikalpa-vyavahāra). An example of such statement is
śasa-śṛnga ie the horns of a hare. It signifies that though the hare has
no horns, yet such an expression is really used to denote a kind of
false reality. Vikalpa rhetorically means choice of either between two or
choice of any one among many things of equal merit. Such ornamental
statement expressed through the device of alternatives becomes
charming on account of its alternative choice from two or many
things of identical nature or similar merit. Here the charm of
expression lies in the fanciful idea of similitude. Therefore, when
two or more opposite or contrasting objects are equally forceful as
close alternatives and out of these one is acceptable or qualitatively
comes out successful while the other or others are rejected or
denied, the figure of speech attributed there is Vikalpa. Ruyyaka
says that it is often based on śleșa (paronomasia).
eg 1. patatyaviratam vāri / nṛtyanti šikhino mudā.
adya kāntaḥ kṛtānto vā / duḥkhyasyāntam karişyati.
पतत्यविरतं वारि / नृत्यन्ति शिखिनो मुदा
अद्य कान्तः कृतान्तो वा / दुःखस्यान्तं करिष्यति ॥
It's raining non-stop, peacocks with joy dancing
Today it would be either my Love or Death ending my suffering.
2. häro'yam hariṇākṣīṇām luṭhati stana-maṇḍale.
muktānāmapyavastheyam ke vayam smara-kimkarāḥ.
हारोऽयं हरिणाक्षीणां लुठति स्तनमण्डले ।
मुक्तानामप्यवस्थेयं के वयं स्मरकिंकराः ॥
145
On the bosom of the doe-eyed damsels, this necklace rolls,
Such is the plight there of even the pearls;
Then who are we there for any bid,
Who are merely the servants of Cupid!
In the first example, it is asserted that during the rainy season
the sorrowful wife being separated from her husband thinks of two
Digitized by
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN