The Theory of Sanskrit Poetry
Much of the transcendental literature of our sampradāya is poetry, and many of the ācāryas in our line were great poets. The ability to write excellent poetry comes not only from inspiration, but also from thorough training in the theory of the art, called kāvya-śāstra. Study of kāvya-śāstra is useful not only for those who are going to become poets, but also for those who want to be sensitive hearers and readers of poetry.
This course is based on the textbook Alaṅkāra-kaustubha by Kavi-karṇapūra. It presents all essential aspects of the theory, including the definition of poetry, the various ways in which words express meanings, the power of subtle suggestion (which Kavi-karṇapūra calls the life air of poetry) in its many varieties, spiritual rasas, virtues and faults in poetry, figures of speech (based on both sound and meaning), and standard styles. The course is especially meant for third-year students.