“Some applications of precepts about naturalistic descriptions in the Rāmacandrikā of Keśavadāsa”

The paper takes into account the descriptions of the moon made by the Hindi poet Keśavadāsa in his Kavipriyā and Rāmacandrikā. Respecting the traditional poetic features prescribed by alaṅkāraśāstra, Keśavadāsa uses descriptions not only as elements functional to the story he is narrating, but as the main opportunity for showing his poetic skill. By analyzing such a topic, we can see how the poet employs structural features like dialogues, descriptions, etc. as though they were a means of increasing the aesthetic emotion he intends to arouse in the reader. We can say, therefore, that in Keśavadāsa’s works form and substance are indivisibly intermingled. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that referring to the description of the moon the author uses exactly the same words in both works, maybe because he believes himself to have found the finest way to make a poetic description of the moon.