Ebook: Abhinavagupta

Abhinavagupta (A.D. 940-1015), authority on Indian theatre, literary criticism and aesthetics, belonged to the Pratyabhijna School of Kashmir Shaivism. In the interpretation of Rasasutra, Abhinavagupta followed the theory of Dhvani or suggestion as propounded by Anandavardhana but also accepted the concept of Sadharanikarana or universalization from Bhattanayaka.

It is on the basis on Abhinavagupta's commentaries that we get a clear idea about the theories propounded in the Dhvanyaloka and Natya Shastra. His commentaries written in a fluent and ornate style have a place as pure literature itself.