Dhvanyaloka of Anandavardhana

Anandavardhana, the premier poet, critic and philosopher of Kashmir (9th century A.D.) is the doyen of Indian aestheticians. His magnum opus is the Dhvanyaloka or ‘Light of Poetic Suggestion’ which combines the most perceptive explanation of rasa, or poetic essence vis-a-vis other concepts, with a most searching and illuminating analysis of best examples drawn from all genres of Sanskrit literature. 

The present critical edition endeavors to give as definitive a text as possible today, free from inaccuracies of the earlier editions based on scant MS. material. 

The English translation is at once close to the original and interesting to an average English reader, avoiding intrusion of too many Sanskrit technical terms. 

It is mainly designed for the use of Indian University students who study it as a prescribed text. Useful notes are added to help their understanding of the problems in the light of up-to-date research. 

It should be equally rewarding for the reader interested in comparative criticism.