Part 5f - Alaṃkāra (6): Śleṣa or pun

The figure Śleṣa^[1] occurs in the indication of various meanings by the śliṣṭa word. That is to say, when more than one sense is conveyed by distinct words coalescing into identity, it is termed paronomasia or coalescence or pun. This is eightfold, according to the coalescence of letters, affixes, genders, verbal bases, inflected words, inflections, numbers and tongues. Maṅkhaka uses this alaṃkāra in plenty. However, it is easy and not at all tiresome. They bear not more than two meanings. It seems that Maṅkhaka himself is not in favour of employment of difficult and dull pun. In the verse, sa vo’vatādbhrūkuṭi^[2]……., it has been stated that may the moon, protect you, who is residing on the crest of matted lock of hair of Lord Śiva, on account of the sound of the river Gaṅgā, as if, chanting some Vedic mantras, as a Brāhmin do. Here, there is pun in the word dvijarāja, which coveys two meanings viz. nakṣatrarāja i.e. the moon and brāhmaṇarāja i.e., foremost among the Brāhmins. There are several instances of employment of simple and effective Śleṣa in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita.^[3]

Maṅkhaka employs double meaning in his poem several times, but some of those are examples of Abhidhāmūlāvyañjanā (suggestion based on primary meaning).^[4] Along with this, the poet uses words having double meanings, in the examples of other figures of speech like Samāsokti, Rūpaka, Virodhābhāsa etc. As a whole, Maṅkhaka uses this figure lavishly in his poem, wherein he applies the words, with double meanings.