The Guna-Doctrine in Bharata

Summary

Addressing the theory of ‘guṇa’ or stylistic qualities in Sanskrit poetics, this article analyses Bharata’s treatment of guṇas in the Nāṭyaśāstra. The author recounts how Bharata enumerates a set of aesthetic qualities—such as smoothness, sweetness, clarity and vigour—that enhance dramatic composition. He compares these with later expansions and modifications proposed by theorists like Vāmana, Ānandavardhana and Mammaṭa, who relate guṇas to rasas (emotive flavours), alaṅkāras (figures of speech) and doṣas (flaws). The article notes that Bharata’s guṇa‑doctrine is one of the earliest systematic attempts to classify aesthetic excellence and that subsequent scholars sometimes conflated guṇas with rhetorical ornaments. By studying commentaries and cross‑referencing with works such as the Kāvyālaṅkāra‑sūtra and Dhvanyāloka, the author traces the evolution of the concept and highlights differences in the number and nature of guṇas recognised. He argues that understanding Bharata’s original formulation is essential for appreciating later debates and that the guṇa‑doctrine underpins much of classical Indian literary criticism.