The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa

by Dhrubajit Sarma | 2015 | 94,519 words

This page relates “Alamkara (4): Samasokti or speech of brevity” as it appears in the case study regarding the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa. The Shrikanthacarita was composed by Mankhaka, sometimes during A.D. 1136-1142. The Mankhakosa or the Anekarthakosa is a kosa text of homonymous words, composed by the same author.

Part 5d - Alaṃkāra (4): Samāsokti or speech of brevity

When the behaviour of another is ascribed to the subject of description, from a sameness of (i) action, (ii) sex or gender, or (iii) attribute, the figure is Samāsokti.[1] Maṅkhaka beautifully uses this figure to add grace to his poem. In the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita, the Nature shares human joys and sorrows and thereby Maṅkhaka’s expertise in personification comes to light. In the verse, digdakṣiṇārkaṃ na[2] ……, it has been stated that the dakṣiṇā dik i.e. the south direction becomes unable to leave the sun, the hero, which becomes low rayed due to union and he stays there in dakṣiṇāyana for six months. Herein the behaviour of an amorous couple has been ascribed to the sun and the south direction, which is the subject of description. This has been done from the sameness of sex and attribute, as also observed by Jonarāja.[3] A few more examples of Samāsokti are found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita.[4]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

samāsoktiḥ samairyatra kāryaliṅgaviśeṣanaiḥ/
vyavahārasamāropaḥ prastute’nyasya vastunaḥ// Sāhityadarpaṇa., X. 56

[2]:

digdakṣiṇārkaṃ na śaśāka hātuṃ tatsaṃgataḥ so’pi sadālpatāpaḥ/
parasparaṃ kiṃ nu tayostadānīṃ na vedmī kaḥ paiśunamācacāra// Śrīkaṇṭhacarita., VI. 9

[3]:

liṅgaviśeṣādviśeṣaṇasāmyācca digarkayoḥ kāmukamithunavyavahārapratītiḥ/
Ibid., VI. 9, page 76

[4]:

cf. Śrīkaṇṭhacarita., V. 23, 28; VI. 2, 13, 16, 55, 60, 65, 74; VII. 13; VIII. 53; IX. 25; X. 4, 10, 11, 12; XIV. 10, 68; XV.18; XXIII. 6

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: