357. ÆSTHETIC CURRENTS IN POETICS 395

ÆSTHETIC CURRENTS IN POETICS 395

according to1 the latter, it consists in the mere use of compounds.

It is interesting to note in this connection that Mammața accepts only three poetic qualities, mentioned by Bhamaha, and not the ten, admitted by Bharata, Dandin and Vamana. He definitely states that the poetic qualities of composition are three and not ten2. It is probably becanse some of the rest of the qualities are nothing more than absence of certain flaws and others are included by him among the poetic embellishments.

THE POETIC QUALITIES IN THE EYES OF BHAMAHA.

According to him, Vakrokti is the chief characteristic of poetry. The poetic qualities (Gunas) which, according to him, are only three, (Madhurya, Ojas and Prasāda) are not essential in a poetic production :3 they have only the musical and not the poetic value. A composition that lacks Vakrokti and has the said qualities is only a song.

BHAMAHA'S INDEBTEDNESS TO BHARATA IN THE CON- CEPTION OF VAKROKTI.

Vakrokti is not a production of the originality of Bhamaha. According to the information, available from the existing literature, he is indebted to Bharata. In fact, the manner, in which he talks of Vakrokti clearly shows that he regarded it to be a very well-known concept. He does not care even to define it. Had he thought it to be his own contribution or something that was not known to and accepted by all, he would have certainly tried to define it clearly and would have tried to justify it as Ānanda Vardhana has done in the case of Dhvani.

1. K. A., 8. 2. K. P. 183. 3. K. A., 4,