The Concept of Pratibha in Sanskrit Literature

Preface It is a matter of great pleasure for me that my Ph.D. thesis, which had submitted to University of Calicut, is being published by my parent department itself. This happy occasion takes me back to the fond memories 1 cherish about the times when I had joined the department of Sanskrit as a part time research scholar under the inspiring guidance of Prof. C.Rajendran. Actually, when Thad joined the Department of Collegiate Education as a lecturer in 1980, I had not seriously thought of doing research at that time. My own teaching work and activities as a leader of the Association of Kerala Government College teachers had kept me very busy all the time. If my memory serves me right, it was in August 1996, that I met Dr. N. V. P. Unithiri, the then Head of the Department of Sanskrit who persuasively prompted me to undertake research work reminding me that even my students have completed Ph.D. His word shook me thoroughly and I took a decision that I will definitely join for PhD programme, even amidst my manifold activities. Though he left for Kalady before long to take up his new assignment as the Principal Dean of Studies at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, I did not abandon my resolution to do research.

It was as per the instructions from Professor Unithiri himself that, l'approached Dr. C Rajendran, who had become the Head of the Department of Sanskrit at Calicut University by then and expressed my desire to do research. One of his students had just submitted his thesis. Here again, by a stroke of sheer luck, I got an opportunity to join in that vacancy. He permitted me to go ahead on condition that would not ask for extension of the term. A great task master, he impressed me upon the importance of dedication and hard work and the necessity of meeting Idea lines in research. Our discussions opened up new avenues of thought in me. His enthusiasm was contagious. That is how who was completely ignorant of the preliminaries of research, turned out to be a research scholar, who could submit my thesis well in time. Even now, when I think of those days of hectic activities, I feel elated about the manner in which I could combine my research activities with those of my otherwise busy work schedule. Little did I realize at that time that eventually, I would end up as the Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady.

The topic of my research The Concept of Pratibha in Sanskrit Literature was suggested by Unithiri master himself long back when I had met him at a meeting. This topic, in fact, has an extensive canvas. Set out in seven chapters, my present study starts with a chapter giving an account of Pratibha, the creative intuition as described in Indian Philosophy and ending with the interesting discussion of the concept by Jagannatha Pandita. The second chapter enquires into the concept of Pratibha in Bharthari. The third and fourth chapters trace the concept of Pratibha in Anandvardhana and Abhinavagupta respectively. The fifth chapter explores the concept of Pratibha in Kuntaka and the sixth one looks into the evolution of concept of Pratibha. The final chapter is set apart for my critical observations.

I hope the study will be beneficial to those who evince a keen interest in learning more about Pratibha. As the title suggests, I have attempted only a compilation of the ideas put forward by the eminent philosophers and grammarians of ancient India. I have only prepared a wider canvas for further research into Pratibha. If it proves to be of some use to lovers of poetics and aesthetics, I shall be gratified.

My guide Dr. C Rajendran who is an internationally acclaimed scholar has always been a source of great inspiration for me. This humble effort of mine would not have been possible but for his loving but strict guidance. Also, I cannot afford to forget Dr. C. C. Damodaran and Prof. Ahamedkutty Sivapuram, who have enriched my thoughts with valuable discourses on Pratibha all along my daily trips from Calicut to Government Brennan College, Thalassery. The guidance and counsel rendered by Prof. M. G. Purushothaman Nampiathiri, the principal, during my student days, of Government Sanskrit College, Trivandrum and Prof. R Vasudevan Potti were always there to steer me through rough weather.

The rare collections of priceless books in the libraries of the Sanskrit departments of the University of Calicut, Government Sanskrit College, Tripunithura and Government Brennan College, Thalassery were a cornucopia of knowledge for me. The blessings and directions bestowed upon me by the erudite Sanskrit professors at the University of Calicut like Dr.N.V.P.Unithiri, Dr.K.N.N.Ilayathu, Dr.T.K.Narayanan, Dr. P. Narayanan Namboothiri, Dr. K.K. Geethakumari and Dr. K. Sekharan were highly productive and motivating. I would also like to thank M/s. Beena Printers, Chenakkal for having done the DTP work, and the Publication Division, Department of Sanskrit, University of Calicut which published this book in the Calicut University Sanskrit series.

I dedicate this book to the loving memory of late Prof. Thirunallur Karunakaran, who showed me the way to Trivandrum Government Sanskrit College at a time when, after SSLC in 1969, my higher studies were hanging in the balance.

Introduction It is a matter of personal pride and pleasure for me to note that the Ph.D thesis submitted by J. Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, Sree Sankaracharya University, Kalady, under my supervision is seeing the light of the day under Calicut University Sanskrit Series. Prasad, I recall, showed commendable interest in pursuing his research work amidst his multifarious activities. In fact, I cannot remember a single instance during his course work when I had any reason for complaint. I often command his example to my students when I feel as research guides are often want to drive home a point to complacent students.

The topic selected by Prasad is the doctrine of Pratibha in Sanskrit literature. It is often claimed, not without reason, that ancient Indian poeticians, while giving utmost importance to aesthetic experience and reader response related to literature, the same amount of attention was not given to its creative aspect. On the other hand, the institution of the author-dominated 'western' discourses. It may be an irony that things have come to a full circle in recent times with the authority of the author becoming problematic and the reading process gaining the upper hand. Be it as it may, it is not fully correct to maintain that the creative process did not receive any attention from Indian aestheticians, as is proved by the insightful discussions they have made about the concept of Pratibha the creative aspect of artistic intuition. Prasad has explored various aspects of this interesting concept in his research work, gathering pieces of information from a wide range of texts and contextualising them. The Department of Sanskrit has been in the forefront of many academic activities related to Sanskrit studies. The prestigious Sanskrit series undertaken by the Department has published several significant studies related to Sanskrit poetics and aesthetics. I am sure that the present work will be welcomed by the discerning scholarly world as a significant addition to this list.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages