Arthantaranyasa is a figure of speech (relating to the meaning – arthalankara) in Sanskrit. The word nyasa means ‘to keep’ or ‘to corroborate’. When a general proposition is strengthened by a particular proposition, or a particular proposition is strengthened by a general proposition through similarity or dissimilarity, arthantaryasa arises. The figure is so called because an instance is brought in to corroborate a generalization, for example –
To those with impure darkness. Just then someone sang your
(the king’s fame), and she fearlessly went on to meet her lover. Don’t you
protect your subjects everywhere?
Here the general proposition is similar to the particular.
In arthantaranyasa, the proposition to be supported is generally placed first
and the proposition that supports is place next.
It is possible to have further varieties of this figure. But
as Ruyyaka observes, there is not much charm in such division. Hence, Mammata does
not go in for them. Early poeticians like Bhamaha and Udbhata refer to these
characteristics of arthantaranyasa in their definition. Visvanatha mentions four
more varieties of arthantaranyasa. According to him, this figure also occurs
when an effect is supported by a cause of vice-versa.
This figure occurs very frequently in Sanskrit literature. The
Satakas of Bhartrhari contain many charming examples. Kalidasa also is very
fond of this figure of speech.