Singing a(n) (a)laukika body:

Abstract

Singing a(n) (a)laukika body: A Note on the Theorization of utprekṣā and Its Application in the Pāṇḍyakulodayamahākāvya Utprekṣā or ‘ascription’ is one of the foremost devices in classical Sanskrit literature, with importance secondary only to upamā and rūpaka. In contrast to other figures extensively analysed by the theoretical treatises over centuries, it was characterised by a surprising uniformity in regard to its definition as offered by the ālaṃkārikas. The paper provides a brief overview of this device and its practical application in a 16th century mahākāvya, the Pāṇḍyakulodaya.

Keywords

• alaṃkāraśāstra
• Pāṇḍyakulodaya
• mahākāvya
• Pāṇḍya dynasty
• kingship
• divinisation