Is Vastu‑Dhvani an Expendable Form of Poetic Excellence?

Summary

In Sanskrit poetics, dhvani (suggestion) is the essence of poetic beauty. This paper debates whether vastu‑dhvani, the suggestion of a narrative theme or bare fact, is expendable. The author reviews classical texts that classify dhvani into three types—vāstava (emotive), vastu (thematic) and alankāra (figural)—and notes that Ānandavardhana privileged emotive suggestion. Some later critics argued that thematic suggestion is redundant because a poem’s subject matter is already apparent. The article examines examples from Kālidāsa and other poets to show how subtle hints can elevate narrative content beyond the literal. It argues that vastu‑dhvani allows poets to introduce secondary meanings and ethical reflections without overt statement. The essay concludes that while emotive resonance may be paramount, the suggestion of theme remains an important aspect of poetic excellence.