When an alliteration is visible but the simile carries the point
A 4-mark poetry question asks: 'Identify the principal figure of speech in the following verse and explain it: "rājā rājīva-pattrākṣaḥ śaśīva prajñayā jvalan / kīrtiṃ śubhāṃ dadāti sma yathā gaṅgā jalaṃ śuci."' The marking scheme gives 1 mark for naming the figure, 2 for explaining the similarity, and 1 for showing why the other figure present is subordinate. A candidate writes: 'The figure is anuprāsa because "rājā rājīva" repeats the sound r. This makes the verse musical.' The candidate does not mention the moon simile at all, though the verse contains 'śaśīva' and 'yathā'. The teacher knows the verse uses both upamā and anuprāsa. The candidate's answer is neat and confident, and the teacher must decide whether to award 1, 2, or 3 marks and how to phrase the correction so that the candidate learns to distinguish a sound ornament from a meaning ornament.
1. Award marks under the scheme and explain why the candidate's chosen figure cannot be the principal one.
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Award 1/4: 1 for naming a figure that is actually present; 0 for explaining the similarity; 0 for ranking. Anuprāsa is a sound ornament; the question asks for the principal figure, which must carry the meaning. The verse's central comparison is the king to the moon in brilliance ('śaśīva') and to Ganges water in purity ('yathā gaṅgā jalaṃ śuci'). The r-repetition supports the description but does not state the comparison. Naming a subordinate figure cannot satisfy a 'principal figure' question.
2. Write the model answer you would show the class, including the terms upamā, anuprāsa, and the reason for ranking.
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Model: The principal figure is upamā. The king is compared to the moon: 'śaśīva prajñayā jvalan' - he shines in wisdom as the moon shines. A second upamā compares his fame to pure Ganges water. Anuprāsa is also present in 'rājā rājīva', but it is subordinate because it only repeats the r-sound; the upamā carries the praise, which is the point of the verse. In an answer, name the figure, give the common property, and then rank.
3. How would you mark a candidate who names both figures but calls anuprāsa principal? Give a mark and one sentence of feedback.
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Award 2/4: 1 for naming upamā, 1 for naming anuprāsa, but 0 for explanation and 0 for correct ranking. Feedback: 'You have spotted both figures; now decide which one carries the sentence's meaning. A figure that only repeats sound cannot be principal when a simile is doing the praising.'