Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara (Study)
by Debabrata Barai | 2014 | 105,667 words
This page relates ‘Characteristics of Sharad-kala (autumn season)’ of the English study on the Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara: a poetical encyclopedia from the 9th century dealing with the ancient Indian science of poetics and rhetoric (also know as alankara-shastra). The Kavya-mimamsa is written in eighteen chapters representing an educational framework for the poet (kavi) and instructs him in the science of applied poetics for the sake of making literature and poetry (kavya).
Part 8.10 - Characteristics of Śarad-kāla (autumn season)
After the Varṣā-kāla (rainy season) comes the Śarad-kāla (autumn season). It is popularly known as the name of season of festivals. In this time mind becomes most pleasing for its very clear sky due to absence of rain clouds.
This season produces lack of intoxication in peacocks and induces the deer’s and bees and help to the lotuses blossoms with other flower to grow.
C.f.
“drāgga (kta)rjayantī vimadānmayūrānpragalbhayantī ku raradvire phān |
śaratsamabhyeti vikāsya padmānunmīlayantī ku mudotpalāni || ”- Kāvyamīmāṃsā of Rājaśekhara: Ch-XVIII, Pp- 101
In this season is very pleasant fragrance with the flowers of Bandhūka (one kind of tree), Bāṇa (one kind of tree), Asana (one kind of tree), Kuṅkuma (bakula tree), Śepphālikā (a kind of plant), Saptaparṇa (white water lily or the blue lotus), Jasmine and Campā etc. the birds are wagtails i.e. Kadambaka, Kāraṇḍava, Cakravāka, Sārasa and Krauñca etc. different types of swans start to migrate to other countries. In this time, the water in rivers, lakes and ponds becomes clear and on the banks can be seen a wide array of swans, ducks, geese, cranes and herons.
During Śarad-kāla (autumn season) the sky is very clear, bluer and full of stars. The sun and moon shine fourth excessively due to absence of rain cloud create a wonderful picture. It is the season for the fruits of Āmalakī and farmers are get happy in the full of the sweet smell of the harvest in the farms.
On the day of Vijayādaśami in Śarad-kāla, the victorious kings perform a religious ceremony of arms, warfare, house and soldiers light lamps on Dīwālī and the kings involved in a variety of tasks intent upon their victory march and collectively present a pleasing picture.
C.f.
“mahānavamyāṃ nikhilāstrapūjā nīrājanā vājibhaṭadvipānām |
dīpālikāyāṃ vividhā vilāsā yātronmuैkharatrṛnapairvidheyāḥ || ”- Kāvyamīmāṃsā of Rājaśekhara: Ch-XVIII, Pp- 101
In the story of Rāmāyaṇa we can see the fine description of autumn season. When Rāma observes the advent of autumn at the Ṛṣyamūa Mountain then he describes the beauty of autumn to his brother Lakṣmaṇa. Therefore in the work of Kālidāsa we found that this season is compared with newly wedded bride. There the moon delights the lovers in union and scorches the lovers in separation.