Aucityavada is a literary theory or norm in Sanskrit poetics propounded in the 11th century by Kshemendra, himself a poet. In the long tradition of Sanskrit poetics (which started from Bharata Muni of the 1st century CE), there are various schools of thought. Kshemendra, born in Kashmir in the 11th century, contributes to the principle of aucitya tattva, i.e., propriety.
Before Kshemendra, Bhamaha, Dandin, Vamana, Rudrata, and
Anandavardhana had underlined the importance of aucitya tattva as lack of this
propriety causes much damage to rasa, the aesthetic pleasure. What Kshemendra
wants to show is that his tattva is the prana tattva or the vital principle in
literature.
Kshemendra holds a unique position in the history of
Sanskrit literature. Several of his works are found dealing with various subjects
such as grammar, rhetoric, figures of speech, etc. He was also a poet,
dramatist, lexicographer and historian. His versatile mind has enriched almost
every branch of Sanskrit literature.
Kshemendra wrote his books during the regime of Ananta Raja
in Kashmir (1028-62 CE). His two works on poetics, Aucitya-Vichara-Carcha and
Kavi Kanthabharana come in the category of kavi-shiksha, or discipline of a
poet. His method is to give an appropriate example on each topic, and to cite
an inappropriate one.
In mangalacharana (invocatory verse) itself, he says, ‘I
offer my prayer to the Acyuta (Krishna) who has shown maximum aucitya
(propriety)’.
Kshemendra states that propriety is relevant to the following attributes of poetry and adds to its beauty when used appropriately – word, sentence, discourse, merit or quality, figure of speech, rasa (sentiment), verbs, doer or performer, gender, number (singular/plural), adjective, prefix, nipat (indeclinables), time, place, race, devotion, substance, essence or spirit, intention, nature (svabhava), summary, vivid imagination, intellect, situation, thought, name and blessing.
EarlierPanchavimsha Brahmana
Parakala Yati