Alankar (figures of speech) and Ras (aesthetic sentiments) form the ornamental and emotional foundation of Hindi literature. For JTET Language I, this topic tests your ability to identify specific alankars in given verses and recognize the dominant ras in poetry passages. Expect 2-4 questions directly on this topic.
Alankar literally means "ornament" — just as jewellery beautifies the body, alankars beautify language. Ras refers to the emotional essence or "juice" that a literary work evokes in the reader. Bharata Muni's Natyashastra identifies nine primary rasas, while later scholars added a tenth. Mastering this topic requires memorizing definitions, recognizing examples, and understanding the relationship between sthayibhav (permanent emotion) and its corresponding ras.
Key Concepts
**Alankar = kavya ka shringaar**: Alankars are literary devices that add beauty, clarity, and impact to poetry and prose. They are divided into two main categories — Shabdalankar (sound-based) and Arthalankar (meaning-based).
**Shabdalankar depends on sound patterns**: These alankars lose their effect if you substitute synonyms. The beauty lies in the specific arrangement of letters and sounds (varna, shabd).
**Arthalankar depends on meaning**: These alankars retain their effect even when words are replaced with synonyms. The beauty lies in the idea, comparison, or contrast presented.
**Ras = the emotional essence**: Ras is the aesthetic pleasure derived from literature. It arises when a sthayibhav (permanent emotion) combines with vibhav (cause), anubhav (physical expression), and sanchaaribhav (transitory emotions).
**Nau ras (nine rasas)**: Shringaar, Haasya, Karuna, Raudra, Veera, Bhayanak, Vibhatsa, Adbhut, and Shaant. Vatsalya ras was added later as the tenth.
**Each ras has a corresponding sthayibhav**: For example, Rati (love) is the sthayibhav for Shringaar ras; Shok (grief) for Karuna ras.
**Upma is the mother of all alankars**: Most meaning-based alankars involve some form of comparison, making Upma foundational.
Formulas / Key Facts
### Major Shabdalankars (Sound-based)
| Alankar | Definition | Example | |---------|------------|---------| | **Anupras** | Repetition of consonant sounds | "चारु चंद्र की चंचल किरणें" (च की आवृत्ति) | | **Yamak** | Same word repeated with different meanings | "कनक कनक ते सौ गुनी" (कनक = धतूरा और सोना) | | **Shesh** | Meaning changes based on word division | "रहिमन पानी राखिए" (पानी = जल, मान, चमक) |
### Major Arthalankars (Meaning-based)
| Alankar | Definition | Key Identifier | |---------|------------|----------------| | **Upma** | Comparison using explicit markers | "सा, सी, सम, जैसा, इव" present | | **Rupak** | Metaphor — upmeya is upman | No comparison word; A = B stated directly | | **Utpreksha** | Imaginative comparison | "मानो, जनु, जानो, मनहुं" present | | **Atiśayokti** | Exaggeration beyond reality | Impossible or extreme description | | **Manavikarana (Personification)** | Human qualities to non-human | Nature speaks, cries, laughs | | **Ananyay** | Upmeya described as upman itself | "चंद्र मुख है" (face IS moon) | | **Virodhaabhas** | Apparent contradiction | Seeming opposite statements reconciled |
Step 3: Rati is the sthayibhav of → **Shringaar Ras** (specifically संयोग शृंगार)
Common Mistakes
**Confusing Upma and Rupak**: Students see a comparison and mark Upma. Fix: Check for comparison words (सा, सम, जैसा). If absent and upmeya is directly called upman, it's Rupak.
**Mixing Yamak and Anupras**: Both involve repetition. Fix: Anupras repeats consonant sounds; Yamak repeats entire words with different meanings.
**Confusing Utpreksha with Upma**: Both are comparisons. Fix: Utpreksha uses imagination markers (मानो, जनु, जानो) suggesting "as if" or "it seems." Upma uses direct comparison markers.
**Misidentifying Ras by surface content**: A war scene might have Veera ras (heroism) or Raudra ras (anger). Fix: Focus on the dominant sthayibhav being evoked, not just the subject matter.
**Forgetting Vatsalya is the 10th Ras**: Students often list only nine rasas. Fix: Remember Surdas's poetry about child Krishna — classic Vatsalya ras. It was added after Bharata Muni's original nine.
Quick Reference
**Upma = explicit comparison** (look for सा/सम/सी/जैसा)
**Rupak = implicit comparison** (A is B, no comparison word)