2023-02-15 09:58:51 by ambuda-bot
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Introduction
equated with English rhetoric signifying the art of poetry or literature.
The Sanskrit term alamkāra is derived thus alam (< aram) √kṛ
ghañ. According to Pāṇinian grammar the word alam becomes
indeclinable (gati) when compounded with √kr in the sense of deco-
ration, ornament or embellishment. The word alam is derived form √
(aram > alam) meaning to go, move, obtain, display, throw, rise,
place, insert etc. Pāṇini also refers to two meanings of the indeclin-
able particle alam as sufficient and prohibition (paryapti and
pratiṣedha). In his list of the collection of verbal roots (dhātu-pātha),
√al belongs to the class √bhū (bhavati etc). Thus the word alam lit-
erally means beauty, ornament, sufficient, adequate, enough, able and
prohibition.
ix
In the Vedic texts, numerous verbal and nominal formations
(like aramkṛtiḥ, aramkṛtaḥ, aramkṛṇvatu) have been used in the
sense of service, preparation, making ready etc. Vedic gods are
described to be very fond of wearing ornaments and decorations.
In later Vedic literature, alam √kr has been repeatedly used in
numerous forms.
Classical Sanskrit lexicons read √al as ubhayapadi (ie having two
sets of verbal forms) giving alati and alate and formulate words like
alaka (hair). But this root seems to be formed hypothetically since
its scope is found to be extremely limited and its application is
rarely found but with only few exceptions like alaka. The
Brāhmaṇas and Upanişads use the term alamkāra in the sense of
dress and ornament. A folk-etymology has interpreted the word thus :
Why do we call alamkāra as alamkāra? It is because any woman never
says alam or 'No more do I want' whenever she is offered ornaments and
decorations (ie alamkāra).
What do we mean by the term alamkāra? Sanskrit rhetoricians
have defined and explained alamkāra thus :
Digitized by
Alamkāra is beautification of poetry; any kind of poetic device
giving special charm or embellishment either to the sound or sense
may be called alamkāra. Therefore, it is simply an attribuite, orna-
ment, or decoration. Technically it means any type of ordinary or
special poetic device, any striking or unusual configuration of
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Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
equated with English rhetoric signifying the art of poetry or literature.
The Sanskrit term alamkāra is derived thus alam (< aram) √kṛ
ghañ. According to Pāṇinian grammar the word alam becomes
indeclinable (gati) when compounded with √kr in the sense of deco-
ration, ornament or embellishment. The word alam is derived form √
(aram > alam) meaning to go, move, obtain, display, throw, rise,
place, insert etc. Pāṇini also refers to two meanings of the indeclin-
able particle alam as sufficient and prohibition (paryapti and
pratiṣedha). In his list of the collection of verbal roots (dhātu-pātha),
√al belongs to the class √bhū (bhavati etc). Thus the word alam lit-
erally means beauty, ornament, sufficient, adequate, enough, able and
prohibition.
ix
In the Vedic texts, numerous verbal and nominal formations
(like aramkṛtiḥ, aramkṛtaḥ, aramkṛṇvatu) have been used in the
sense of service, preparation, making ready etc. Vedic gods are
described to be very fond of wearing ornaments and decorations.
In later Vedic literature, alam √kr has been repeatedly used in
numerous forms.
Classical Sanskrit lexicons read √al as ubhayapadi (ie having two
sets of verbal forms) giving alati and alate and formulate words like
alaka (hair). But this root seems to be formed hypothetically since
its scope is found to be extremely limited and its application is
rarely found but with only few exceptions like alaka. The
Brāhmaṇas and Upanişads use the term alamkāra in the sense of
dress and ornament. A folk-etymology has interpreted the word thus :
Why do we call alamkāra as alamkāra? It is because any woman never
says alam or 'No more do I want' whenever she is offered ornaments and
decorations (ie alamkāra).
What do we mean by the term alamkāra? Sanskrit rhetoricians
have defined and explained alamkāra thus :
Digitized by
Alamkāra is beautification of poetry; any kind of poetic device
giving special charm or embellishment either to the sound or sense
may be called alamkāra. Therefore, it is simply an attribuite, orna-
ment, or decoration. Technically it means any type of ordinary or
special poetic device, any striking or unusual configuration of
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN