Part 5x - Alaṃkāra (24): Sandeha or doubt

Sandeha had been stated by Daṇḍin as to be Saṃśayopamā^[1] and it was included under the range of Upamā. But, afterwards it has been designated as a separate figure. According to the author of the Sāhityadarpaṇa, when an object, under discussion is poetically suspected to be something else, it is called Sandeha^[2] or doubt. It is three-fold, Śuddha, wherein, the sentence ends with doubt, Niścayagarbha, wherein, the doubt exists both at the beginning and the end and Niścayānta, wherein, the doubt is dismissed at the end. In the verse, anekaśo’haṃ vimṛśannapītthaṃ^[3] ……., the poet expresses his inability to comprehend the wicked person, whether he is consistent or otherwise. If, he is consistent, then why, he lacks firmness regarding affection, or if, he is inconsistent, then why, he is so firm in case of enmity. So, here arises the figure Sandeha. Again, as the sentence ends with doubt, therefore, it is the case of Śuddha type of the figure Sandeha.