Stotra as Kāvya

Abstract

Abstract This chapter investigates the relationship between Sanskrit hymns of praise and classical Sanskrit literature. It first surveys the complicated and often ambiguous position of stotras within Sanskrit literary culture. Then it analyzes Jagaddhara Bhaṭṭa’s Stutikusumāñjali as an historically significant example of how devotional poets sought to elevate the status of the stotra form. Jagaddhara reaffirms the value of classical Sanskrit poetry and poetics even as he re-envisions this literary world as being justified and revitalized by devotional praise of Śiva. He incorporates and expands upon earlier traditions of poetry and poetics in creative ways, giving special prominence to the “flashy” style of poetry (citrakāvya) and the poetic figure of “repetition” (yamaka). His ambitious and innovative hymns, as well as those of later poets in Kashmir, testify to the vitality of Sanskrit literary production in the region and offer critical evidence in the debate about the so-called death of Sanskrit.