An investigatory study on Sanskrit great poetic characteristics and kusajathaka kavya

Abstract

Kusajathaka kavya was composed by the poet Alagiyawanna Mukaveti during the Sithawaka period. This is acknowledged as a great poem composed according to the Sanskrit rhetoric tradition' when inzuring into sinhala classical literature, it could be conceded that sinhala poetic literature was greatly influenced by Sanskrit literature. Accordingly, the great poetic works namely, Muwadevdavatha, sasadavatha, Kavsilumana are regarded as having composed as per the accepted ode poetic tradition. Objective of this research is to ascertain as to what extent Kusajathaka kavya has acquired the great poetic characteristics relatively to the above mentioned great poems. Significance of this research is the ability to ensure that Kusajathaka kavya is a great poem. The research problem of this study is whether Kusajathaka kavya is a great poem (epic). Primary and secondary sources of the above books were based as the methodology of this research. Sources namely, Kusajathaka kavya, siyabas Lakara and Kavsilumina were used as primary sources while sanskrit Leterature, great poetic characteristics and classical work of post classical era composed by authoritative erudite were associated as secondary sources. the results identified from this research is that although there was no intuition or originality up to the standard of great sinhala poetic works of early periods it could be acknowledged that kusajathaka Kavya has been composed in conformity with Sanskrit great poetic characteristics and in association of authoritative works of early periods. In accordance with this research, it could be concluded that kusajathaka kavya is a great compositional work of the period.