Dandi's "Kavyadarsha" is a foundational text that systematically defines and analyzes the elements of poetry. The work begins by defining the body of poetry and its three main forms: prose, verse, and a mix of the two. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to the ten essential qualities (गुण, guṇa) of the Vaidarbha style, including श्लेषः (Śleṣaḥ) and माधुर्यम् (Mādhuryam), which Dandi considers the lifeblood of this poetic path. This treatise is a cornerstone for the study of Sahitya Shastra.