Handbook of Classical Sanskrit Rhetoric /71

sonant groups, phrases, sentences or group of sentences.
Alliterative consonant or consonant-vowel combinations are used
in initial, middle or final position. But recurrence of the same con-
sonant should occur at short intervals. Consonants having the same
place of pronunciation being repeatedly used are also considered
as Alliteration. Repetition of the same vowel without consonant in
any position is not recognised as Alliteration since such recurrence
cannot produce any pleasing, sonorous and harmonious sound-
effect, rather it creates dullness and monotony. Poets always try to
observe the natural rhythms, cadence and musical accents in poetry.
Sanskrit rhetoricians have observed that such recurrence always
produces a musical lulling effect and sensuous pleasure to the
hearer and this artistic effect should be in complaince with the aes-
thetic value of poetry. Anuprāsaḥ: Alliteration
 
sonant groups, phrases, sentences or group of sentences.
Alliterative consonant or consonant-vowel com has binations are used
in initial, middle or final position. But recurrence of the same con-
sonant should occur at short intervals. Consonants having the same
place of pronunciationeen recognised being repeatedly used are also considered
as Alliteration. Repetition of the same vowel without consonant in
any position is not recognised as Alliteration since such recurrence
cannot produce any pleasing, sonorous and harmonious sound-
effect, rather it creates dullness and monotony. Poets always try to
observe the natural rhythms, cadence and musical accents in poetry.
Sanskrit rhetoricians have observed that such recurrence always
produces a musical lulling effect and sensuous pleasure to the
hearer and this artistic effect should be in complaince with the aes-
thetic value of poetry. Anuprāsa has been recognised by almost all
y almost all
rhetoricians (except a few like Bharata, Kuntaka, Vāgbhata and
ṭa and
Appayya). Repetition of consonant, consonant-vowel combina-

tions, words, phrases or entire foot is one of the special devices of

poetry.
 
15
 

 
Repetition of sound, syllable, word, poetic foot, stanza or a

metrical pattern gives a poem special charm. Arrangement of

sounds or words is practised for swing and cadence in metrical set-

ting for creating musical effect or refinement in meaning.

Phonetic quality of similar sound is also very effective in alliterative

pattern. In sanskrit metrical pattern, Anuprasa (Alliteration) and

Yamaka (Chime) have been cultured as a unique device by the

poets. Repetition has a very close link with metre, with phonetic or

linguistic pattern, with syntactical structure and in expression of

strong and favourable emotion. Repetition in metrical pattern may

occur in the beginning, in the middle or in the end. Sanskrit met-

rics is basically regulated by number of syllables and their phonetic

quality of short and long vowels, though there are some metrical

patterns regulated by mäātrā (ie mora).
 

 
Alliteration is a very common and popular feature in classical

Sanskrit poetry. In Vedic poetry, alliteration is not rare, specially

the repetition of a metrical foot used as a refrain is found to be

very popular in individual and group chanting. In musical verse,
 
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