Epic: 2 definitions

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In Hinduism
1. Kavyashastra
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Introduction:

Epic means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Kavyashastra (science of poetry)

: Shodhganga: Bhismacaritam a critical study

Epic is the word used in western literature to denote the 惭补丑腻办腻惫测补.鈥擳he word 鈥榚pic鈥� is derived from the Greek word 鈥榚pos鈥� meaning a word or a song but in later and more general use, it is applied to long narrative poems on heroic themes. Heroic actions are usually based on one principal hero and often with a strong national significance. Sometimes it may be of the achievements of one or more heroic personages of history or tradition. It is treated in a very grand style and at great length also. Without length it is impossible to have the long vistas of action and the variety of characters that an epic requires. The subject of epic should be developed in an orderly manner without emotional stress except in the statements of the characters.

Epics deal with the events which have a certain grandeur and importance and come from a life of action, especially of violence such as war. It gives a special pleasure, because its events and persons enhance our belief in the worth of human achievement and in the dignity of nobility of man. In the great epic, heroic, folktales and ballads have been combined by the poet and transformed into a single work of art while in the lesser epics the story is still fragmentary. Epic in fact has deep and primitive and haphazard way in which they come to be formed. It may also be a combination of tragedy, comedy, lyric, dirge and idyll.

context information

Kavyashastra (啶曕ぞ啶掂啶ざ啶距じ啷嵿い啷嵿ぐ, 办腻惫测补艣腻蝉迟谤补) refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.

Relevant text

Search found 272 books and stories containing Epic, Epics, The epic; (plurals include: Epics, Epicses, The epics). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 4.1 - Animals and Birds in the Epics and their classifications

Preface

Chapter 1.14 - The relevance and significance of the study

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Part 7 - Epics of the other languages < [Critical Introduction]

Part 6 - The Great Tradition of Sanskrit Mahakavya < [Critical Introduction]

Part 8 - The Jarasandhavadha Mahkavyam as an Epic < [Critical Introduction]

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9. Ramayana and Mahabharata < [Chapter 1 - Indian Ethics]

10. The Puranas < [Chapter 1 - Indian Ethics]

2. An analysis of Indian ethics in general reveals certain features < [Chapter 1 - Indian Ethics]

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