Alamkara‑Dappana
By Harivallabh Chunilal Bhayani
Summary
H.C. Bhayani continues his exploration of Prakrit poetics by analysing the figures of speech Rūpaka and Dīpaka. He translates and elucidates verses defining Rūpaka as a metaphor where the nature of the upameya is represented through the upamana based on shared substance or qualities. Bhayani distinguishes two types: one encompasses all parts of the comparison and the other applies to a single element. He provides examples of each type and their Sanskrit equivalents. The discussion then turns to Dīpaka, in which a single adjective or phrase illuminates multiple subjects. Bhayani illustrates Mukha‑Dīpaka, where introductory adjectives apply collectively; Madhya‑Dīpaka, with adjectives in the middle; and Antya‑Dīpaka, with adjectives at the end. He also explains Rodha (restraint) and Anuprasa (alliteration), highlighting how poets artfully withhold words and employ repetition of sounds. Through these analyses, the article reveals the sophistication of Prakrit rhetorical theory and its contribution to Indian poetics.
Conclusion
Bhayani concludes that mastering figures like Rūpaka and Dīpaka is essential for appreciating Prakrit and Sanskrit poetry. By classifying and illustrating these alamkaras, he demonstrates how poets use metaphor, shared attributes, restraint and alliteration to create layered meanings, underscoring the richness of classical literary traditions.