Introduction

The book’s introductory chapter explores the broad contours of the Asian story of Dandin’s Mirror (Kāvyādarśa) by comparing it to the tale of Aristotle’s Poetics. The introduction also places Dandin’s work in the context of Sheldon Pollock’s theory of the Sanskrit cosmopolis and its subsequent vernacularization. The chapter shows that the Mirror’s amazing success in Kannada, Sinhala, Pali, Tamil, Tibetan, and other literary cultures can our expand understanding of the cosmopolitan values and of its transmission networks (here emphasizing the Buddhist monastic and intellectual network, in addition to Pollock’s focus on the royal court). The introduction also offers an overview of textual strategies used in response to the Mirror, with a focus on selectivity and retention, playfulness and distinction, and, finally, remodeling and repurposing. The introduction concludes with a comment on the future orientation of Dandin as related to its lasting impact in different parts of Asia.