Part 3b - Guṇa (2): Ojaḥ (Ojas)

The state of being fired or, in other words, an expansion of the mind is termed as Ojaḥ [Ojas] or energy.^[1] Thus, it expresses the power of heart. Bharata also gives his view about Ojaḥ in the Nāṭyaśāstra.^[2] Vāmana is of the opinion that Ojaḥ consists in harsh or tough composition.^[3] Udbhaṭa is also of same opinion regarding Ojaḥ.^[4] Mammaṭa opines that Ojaḥ is employed in a composition to delineate the Vīrarasa. And though it is found normally in the heroic sentiment, however, along with this, it also exists successively higher in Bībhatsa i.e. disgustful and Raudra i.e. furious.^[5] Viśvanātha^[6] also, in conformity with Mammaṭa, expresses similar thought regarding greater manifestation of Ojaḥ in successive rasas in the heroic, the disgustful and the furious. Viśvanātha further relates that the first and third letters, joined with the second and fourth of any series, that is to say, with any of the aspirates, such letters as are combined with r preceding or following or both, the cerebrals ṭa, ṭha, ḍa and ḍha, even though uncombined with another consonant, and the hard sibilants śa and ṣa serve to manifest this Ojaḥ, as also an ample use of compounds.^[7]

As the poem has Vīra, as its main sentiment, Maṅkhaka uses mostly, the quality Ojaḥ. Therefore, the Ojaḥ is found in so many verses of the poem. As for example, in the past heroic deeds of Śiva, such as destruction of Gajāsura, Andhakāsura and others as well as in the bravery of other gods, the Ojaḥ is found. There is a verse in canto XVI, wherein, there is Ojaḥ in the description of Indra’s killing of demons with his thunder-bolt or vajra.^[8] It is characterized by harsh and complex compounds, which is the very feature of Ojaḥ. Again, in the preparation and marching of the troop for the destruction of the demons also, there is the quality Ojaḥ or energy.^[9] Ojaḥ is also found delineated in Bībhatsa^[10] and Raudra^[11] also, in the poem.