Vakrokti Theory in Indian Poetics
#Explain the concept of Vakrokti Theory. ⁕Founder of Vakrokti Theory: Name: Kuntaka Century: 10th century CE Work: Vakroktijivita (“The Life of Vakrokti”) Contribution: Propounded Vakrokti Theory Core Idea: Vakrokti (special/oblique expression) is the soul (atma) of poetry. ࿇ What is Vakrokti Theory? Vakroktijivita (“The Life of Vakrokti”) is a landmark work of Sanskrit poetics written by Kuntaka in the 10th century CE. In this text, Kuntaka presents his famous Vakrokti Theory, where he declares that vakrokti (unique or oblique expression) is the very soul (atma) of poetry. Unlike ordinary language, which communicates directly, poetry lives because it bends, twists, and beautifies words to produce delight. This special mode of expression, which deviates from plain speech, is what makes poetry different from common discourse. The work explains six levels of vakrata (obliqueness/uniqueness) — from sound level to th...