काव्यमीमांसा (महाकवि राजशेखर - कवि-रहस्य एवं देश-विभाग सटीक)

INTRODUCTION. XLIII
Ṭakka and Bhādānaka were fond of Apabhraṁśa, those living in
Avanti, Pāriyātra and Daśapura used Bhūtabhāshā, while those
living in the Madhyadeśa were well-versed in all languages.
Rājas'ekhara’s love for Prākrita languages. It is said
in the prologue of the Bālarāmāyaṇa that Rājaśekhara was well-
versed in all languages.¹ His definition of a Kavirāja also re-
quires that he should be proficient in various languages. To him
all the languages should be equal.² His Karpūramañjarī would
seem to be an illustration of this. In another place, he says that
a³ good poet should pay attention to all the languages according
to his ability, taste and curiosity. ⁴One and the same idea assumes,
different forms of beauty according to the language in which it
is expressed. A poet, whose intellect is thus ready in all the
languages acquires fame all throughout the world. In the Bāla-
rāmāyaṇa, he describes ⁵Prākrita as elegant and possessing natural
sweetness, Apabhraṁśa as very elegant, and Bhūtabhāshā as
well-formed. ⁶In the Karpūramañjarī, it is said that Sanskrit
compositions are harsh, while those in Prākrit are smooth.
The modes of speech and recitation of ancient Indians.
Much interesting information about the modes of speech and
recital of peoples of different countries of ancient India can be
derived from the 7th chapter of the Kāvyamīmāṁsā. ⁷Māgadhās
and some others living east of Benares speak Sanskrit well, but are
1 सर्वभाषाविचक्षणश्च स एवमाह।
2 स्वतन्त्रस्य पुनरेकवत् सर्वा अपि भाषाः स्युः। काव्यमीमांसा p. 51.
3 संस्कृतवत् सर्वासपि भाषासु यथासामर्थ्यं यथारुचि यथाकौतुकं चावहितः स्यात्। Ibid. p. 48.
4 एकोऽर्थः संस्कृतोक्त्या ससुकविरचनः प्राकृतेनापरोऽस्मिन्
अन्योऽपभ्रंशगीर्भिः किमपरमपरो भूतभाषाक्रमेण।
द्वित्राभिः कोऽपि वाग्भिर्भवति चतसृभिः किञ्च कश्चिद्विवेक्तुं
यस्येत्थं धीः प्रपन्ना रूपयति सुकवेस्तस्य कीर्तिर्जगन्ति॥ Ibid. pp. 48 and 49.
5 गिरः श्रव्या दिव्याः प्रकृतिमधुराः प्राकृतधुरः सुभव्योऽपभ्रंशः सरसरचनं भूतवचनम्।
विभिन्नाः पन्थानः किमपि कमनीयाश्च त इमे निबद्धा यस्त्वेषां स खलु निखिलेऽस्मिन् कविवृषा॥
Bālarāmāyaṇa, Act. I, 10.
6 परुसा सक्कअबन्धा पाउअबन्धो वि होइ सुउमारो।
पुरिसमहिलाणं जेत्तिअमिहन्तरं तेत्तिअमिमाणं॥ Karpūramañjarī, Act, I, 4.
7 “पठन्ति संस्कृतं सुष्ठु कुण्ठाः प्राकृतवाचि ते।
वाराणसीतः पूर्वेण ये केचिन्मगधादयः॥” p. 33.