Which of the following concepts are associated with Bhartrhari’s theory of ‘Sphota’?
[A] Rasa
[B] Alankara
[C] Dhvani
[D] Vakrokti
[E] Shabda Brahman
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

The correct option is C and E only.

Bhartṛhari, the famous 5th-century Sanskrit grammarian and philosopher, is renowned for his philosophy of language, particularly the theory of Sphota (the burst of meaning or the unified linguistic symbol). Let us break down the concepts associated with his theory step-by-step:
1. Shabda Brahman (E): According to Bhartṛhari, the ultimate reality is undivided, eternal, and of the nature of word or sound. He refers to this supreme reality as Shabda Brahman (the Word-Absolute). Sphota is the manifestation of this ultimate spiritual reality in the form of meaningful language.
2. Dhvani (C): In Bhartṛhari's philosophy, Dhvani refers to the actual physical sounds uttered by a speaker that reveal or manifest the internal, indivisible Sphota (the mental word-essence that conveys meaning). Therefore, Dhvani is an integral part of the process of Sphota manifestation.
3. Other concepts: Rasa (aesthetic flavor/sentiment) and Alankara (literary figures of speech) are primarily associated with Sanskrit poetics and aesthetics (such as Bharata Muni's Natyashastra), while Vakrokti (oblique speech) was formulated as a central concept of poetry by Kuntaka. Thus, these are not direct components of Bhartṛhari’s original Sphota theory.

Hence, the concepts associated with Bhartṛhari’s theory of Sphota are Dhvani (C) and Shabda Brahman (E) only.