काव्यालङ्कार (आचार्य भामह - भारतीय काव्यशास्त्र एवं अलङ्कार-सिद्धान्त मूल महाग्रन्थ सटीक)

66 BHĀMAHĀLAṄKĀRA
obscure, to be derived in a strained manner. By the
way it may be pointed out that in this species of
poetry resort is to be had to एकाक्षरनिघण्टु and similar
mysterious ways. If it is not Yamaka, then
what is it ? It is only a Prahelikā, a riddle. So
says Bhāmaha. Rāmaśarman’s work known as Ach-
yutottara abounds in such mystic utterances. The
chief purpose of a Prahelikā is to bamboozle the
hearer or to amuse him, which will be properly a
subject of discussion among persons seeking literary
recreations in play. Daṇḍin says—क्रीडागोष्ठीविनोदेषु तज्ज्ञै-
राकीर्णमन्त्रणे । परव्यामोहने चापि सोपयोगाः प्रहेलिकाः ॥ Kāvyādarśa
III—97. So Daṇḍin’s idea as also of Bhāmaha is
that such composition cannot be seriously considered
as poetry. Daṇḍin refers to a set of sixteen Pra-
helikās in Kāvyādarśa, 3rd Pariccheda, 66 to 124.
काव्यान्यपि यदीमानि व्याख्यागम्यानि शास्त्रवत् ।
उत्सवः सुधियामेव हन्त दुर्मेधसो हताः ॥ २० ॥
20. If such compositions which are intelligible
with the help of commentaries like Śāstras constitute
poems, it is a joy for wise men only. Lo ! Dull-
witted persons (like me) are damned.
20. In disparagement of poetry which thus
needs tortuous methods of interpretation the author
exclaims [उत्सवः सुधियामेव It is a feast for the ultra-
wise. हन्त दुर्मेधसो हताः But what about poor people ?