On the Nature of Poetic Language: A Philosophical Roundtable

The poetic theorist Ānandavardhana famously held that in addition to the literal and implicative functions of language, poetry expresses meaning through a third, distinctive function: suggestion (*dhvani*, *vyañjanā*). Mukula Bhaṭṭa, in his *Abhidhāvṛttamātṛkā*, holds that there is no need to posit a third semantic function; implication (*lakṣaṇā*) suffices to explain the communicative power of poetry. This roundtable brings together five scholars to assess Mukula’s arguments, both in their historical context and in light of contemporary poetics. The goal of the format is to create a space for lively and rigorous discussion, rather than traditional paper presentations. A handout with the original Sanskrit and an English translation of selections from Mukula’s text will be provided.