How does Vamana contrast gunas with alankaras?
Gunas are defined by Vamana as 'factors that produce poetic charm' They are contrasted with alankaras. Gunas bring about poetio charm while alankaras enhance it. Hence gunas are essential and invariable (nitya) but poetic figures are optional (anitya). Gunas are in direct relation to riti. They pertain to the soul of poetry.
While poetic figures relate to their sarira (body) i.e. words and their meanings (sabdartha). Vamana was able to point out a convincing distinction between gunas and alankaras. The earlier writers considered both as factors contributing to poetic charm but could not show how one differed from the other.
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