This document discusses criticism against Anandavardhana's theory of dhvani in Indian poetics. The theory proposes that poetry relies on suggestion rather than only literal meaning. Critics argue that words only convey their primary meanings, not suggested senses. However, others counter that suggestion plays an important role in poetry as it allows expression of inexpressible ideas. The dhvani theory accounts for factors like context, music, and gestures that influence a work's suggested meaning.

1. Name: Trivedi Disha
Hiteshbhai
Roll no: 36
Paper no: 7
Year: 2015-2017
Topic: criticism against dhvani
theory
Email:
trivedisha22236@gmail.com
Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi

2.  Ananndvardhan’s theory of Dhvani has changed Indian
poetics in its essence. the word Dhvani means ‘Sound’ or
‘Tone’. it is based on the concept of poetic suggestion. Thus,
the school of philosophy in India like the Nyaya and
Mimamsa who were against the concept of poetics
suggestion. Thus, certain theories were to be discussed to
explain it.
 Dhvani divided into three varieties:
1) Vastu-Dhvani (appealing idea)
2) Alankara-Dhvani (poetic figure)
3) Rasa-Dhvani (express sense consists in the portrayal of
vibhavas, anubhavas and vyabhicaribhavas)

3.  The Naiyayikas did not believe in the
suggestive power of words. They believed that
the suggested sense of a word cannot be
separated from their primary and secondary
meanings.
 Actually speaking, the suggested sense plays
vital role in poetry is a matter of sentiment than
to intellect. Thus, it is only suggested sense that
can convey certain inexpressible truth which
can be philosophic too.

4.  This theory is based on expression, suppression,
impression of the suggestion in poetry
experienced by the reader. It also express the
concrete sense observed by the reader. If the
reader is scholar enough with poetic eye and
sound literary taste, he can obtain the poetic
suggestion which is generally found vague.

5.  Mukul Bhatta gave the concept of laksana.
Abhinav gupta also commented that laksana is a
matter related to the primary sense while dhvani is
a matter of suggestion. More so laksana relates to
an idea, while dhvani can be an idea , a figure of
speech or an emotion. It can suggest meaning in
the absense of laksana also.

6.  The prabhakara school advocated the concept of abhidha.
they believed that the meaning of a word is what is conveyed
by it. In a sentence a word conveys not only its own individual
meaning, but also its relation to the other words in the
sentence.
 According to Abhinav gupta, the primary sense is directly
related to the word but the suggested sense is not always
related to the words. It is also related to the melody of music,
gestures etc. Thus the primary sense is definite but the
suggested sense change according to the contextual factors.
 Thus, only abhidha is not enough to appreciate poetry.

7.  Dhanika and dhanamjaya advocate tatparya
means the essence of whatever is
expressed. But abhinava gupta believes that
dhvani refers to non-expressive factors such
as music, gestures etc.

8.  Kuntaka considers dhvani as vakrokti, a
striking mode of speech. His concept
resembles to dhvani theory also.
 It is true to say that the dhvani theory
includes all kinds of emotive and suggestive
meaning based on the contextual factors.
Thus, suggestiveness and contextual factors
are part and parcel of the dhvani theory.