Glimpses of Indian Poetices

Glimpses of India Poetics, containing 21 essay, would furnish a valuable material on the subject. The eassy' A Survey of Sanskrit (Indian) Poetics' provides the readers a wide panorama of the history of the subject of about one and half millennium. The definition of Poetry, of course, cannot be presented in well-knit, accurate and precise form. The author agrees with the definition put forth by Jagannatha, though with some modification as 'Ramniyata-Pratipadico Shabdartho Kavyam'. The essay 'The Soul (Essence) of Poetry' deals with the topic in much detail and dhvani has been designated as the soul of poetry. The readers would appreciate the essays like 'The Nature of Aesthetic Pleasure' and 'Sadharanikarana' ('The Theory of Generalization) expressing a marvelous substance about what the poetic delectation is and how it is achieved by a sahrdaya (compassionate) through generalization.

The essay 'The process of Poetic Creation' traces the psyche of the poet about the very moments when he actually becomes absorbed in composing his literary piece of work. The articles 'Causes of Poetry' and 'Originality and Plagiarism' deal with creative activity of the poets of different caliber, and the essay 'Acting, Actor and Spectator' denotes how and upto what extent the spectator is influenced by the acting of the actor performing his hob on the stage. The other essays, connected with various alamkaras and rasas, highlight and elucidate the academic issues related with them.

The book presented in clear and lucid expression and style is studded with authentic quotations and appropriate illustrations. The author hope that through his modest attempt some of the readers may cultivate the desire of studying some of the original texts on Poetics written in Sanskrit itself.

About the Author:

Dr. Satya Dev Choudhary, Shastri, M.A. (Sanskrit & Hindi) both in 1st class and Ph.D.(Hindi) from the University of Delhi, taught in the University of Delhi for about 35 years and for one year as a Guest Professor of Hindi & Sanskrit in the Deptt. of Indology, University of Tubingen (W. Germany). He has about 25 book to his credit and for them has been felicitated with a number of prizes and awards from the Panjab and Uttarpradesh Governments. Presently, he is the Director of Ramkrishan Jaidayal Dalmia Shrivani Nyas, Delhi.

Major works: Dialogue hymns of Rgveda (in English & Hindi), The Bihari Satasai in English free verse. Glimpse of Indian Poetics; Bhartiya Kavya-Shastra, Bhartiya Shaili-vijnana, Hindi Ritiparampara ke Pramukh Achariya (Thesis). Hindi Abhijnana-shakuntala in free verse, Ishopanisad (in Hindi & English free verse) etc., and also a good number children books in Hindi & Sanskrit.

	Preface	(i-iii)
1.	A Survey of Sanskrit (Indian) Poetics	1
2.	The Cause of Poetry	15
3.	The Definition of Poetry	24
4.	The Aim and Purpose of Poetry	31
5.	The Soul (Essence) of Poetry	41
6.	The Nature of Rasa (Aesthetic Pleasure)	63
7.	Sadharanikarana (The Theory of Generalization)	87
8.	Srngara (Erotic): The Rasaraja	97
9.	Karuna (Pathetic) and other such Rasa: their Nature of Aesthetic Pleasure	110
10.	Raudra vs. Vira Rasa (Furious vs. Heroic)	121
11.	Adbhuta (Marvellous) Rasa vs. Adbhuta (Marvellous) Element	130
12.	Santa (Quietistic) Rasa	136
13.	Preyan (Associatic) Rasa	147
14.	Using the words Rasa, etc., by their own names: A Poetic Flaw	154
15.	Slesa (Paronomasia) Alakmkara	161
16.	Three Alamkaras: Hetu, Suksma & Lesa	177
17.	Rasvaat and other allied Alamkaras	189
18.	Perceptlike Experience in Bhavika Alamkara	205
19.	The Process of Poetic Creation	215
20.	Acting, Actor and Spectator	225
21.	Originality and Plagiarism	231
22.	Index of Quotations	236