A Quotation from the Hrdayadarpana
By P. K. Gode
Summary
The Hrdayadarpana, a lost work on aesthetics attributed to Alarikara, is referenced in Prabhikara Bhatta’s *Hasapradipa* (c. 1583 AD) as containing a verse quotation. This work, housed in the B.O.R. Institute’s Government Library, remains lost, though scholars have cited quotations from it in other texts. Key references include Abhinavagupta’s *Dhvaniyaloka*, Sovani’s *JIIAS* (1809), and Hiriyanna’s *Proceedings of the First Oriental Conference* (1919). Sovani argues the Hrdayadarpana likely critiqued Dhvanyi’s theories and blended prose and verse, though scholars debate its form. The work’s disappearance by 1583 raises questions about whether it was lost earlier or after Prabhikara’s time. Separately, Yuan Chwang’s account of Harsa’s conquests is analyzed, with scholars suggesting discrepancies in timelines regarding his reign and campaigns against neighboring regions.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significance of a previously unexamined verse from the *Hrdayadarpana*, identified through Prabhikara Bhatta’s *Hasapradipa* (1583 CE). The discovery adds to the sparse corpus of quotations from this lost *alami-kara* work, challenging prior assumptions about its form and content. The verse’s metrical nature contrasts with existing prose attributions, suggesting a hybrid structure or evolving textual traditions. Its absence from key indices like *Dhvaniyaloka* and *Kavyagati* underscores the *Hrdayadarpana*’s elusive nature and limited scholarly engagement. The findings reinforce the need for re-evaluating historical catalogues and exploring overlooked sources to reconstruct fragmented Sanskrit literary heritage. This contribution bridges gaps in understanding the *Hrdayadarpana*’s role in *alami-kara* discourse and its potential influence on later aesthetic theories.