Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 16.46
Recognizing Alliteration and Metaphorical Beauty
“The brāhmaṇa replied, “There is not a tinge of fault in that verse. Rather, it has the good qualities of similes and alliteration.””
What the purport teaches
- The brāhmaṇa claimed that his verse had no trace of fault. He pointed to its similes and alliteration as good qualities.
- The repeated bha in bhavānī, bhartur, vibhavati and adbhuta is called anuprāsa, or alliteration.
- The expressions lakṣmīr iva and viṣṇoś caraṇa-kamalotpatti exhibit metaphorical beauty. The comparison between the Ganges and Lakṣmī is metaphorical because water and a person are not actually similar.
Try this today
Read bhavānī, bhartur, vibhavati and adbhuta aloud, listening for the repeated bha.
Ask yourself
How does noticing sound and comparison help you appreciate a verse?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.