The Sanskrit drama : $b in its origin, development, theory and practiceKeith, Arthur Berriedale
History
The Sanskrit drama : $b in its origin, development, theory and practice
Keith, Arthur Berriedale
Sanskrit drama -- History and criticism
An entr’acte then tells us through Puṇyaketu, the Banner of Merit,
minister of the king, that Discrimination has arrived at the penance
grove of Hemacandra, and has met the king, who has looked favourably at
his daughter. The Act itself shows us in the accustomed mode the king
with the jester spying on Kṛpāsundarī and Somatā, Gentleness, [530] her
companion, and ultimately speaking to them; as usual the queen,
Rājyaçrī, the Royal Fortune, with her companion, Raudratā, Harshness,
intervenes, and the king vainly craves pardon. In Act III Puṇyaketu
overcomes the obstacle to the match by a clever device; he stations one
of his servants behind the image of the goddess to which the queen goes
to seek the boon of the disfigurement of her rival, and thus, through
apparent divine intervention, the queen is taught that by marriage with
Kṛpāsundarī alone can the king overcome Confusion, and is induced to
beg Discrimination for the hand of his daughter. Discrimination
consents, but insists that to please his daughter the seven vices must
be banished, and the practice of confiscating the property of those
dying without heirs shall be abolished, terms to which the queen
consents. The king also agrees, and the Act ends in his action in
forgoing the property of a millionaire believed dead, who, however,
opportunely turns up with a new bride in an aerial car.
In Act IV we have the fulfilment of the pledge to banish the seven
vices. It first tells of the meeting of the Fortune of the City with
that of the Country; the former persuades the latter to accept the
tenets of Jainism. Then appears Kṛpāsundarī who is annoyed by the
noises of hunting and fishing, but consoled by the appearance of the
police officer, who proceeds to the business of banishing vices.
Gambling, Flesh-eating, Drinking, Slaughter, Theft, and Adultery must
depart, despite the plea that the king’s predecessors permitted them,
and that they bring revenues to the State; Concubinage may remain if
she will. In Act V the king, armed by Hemacandra with his Yogaçāstra,
which is his armour, and the Vītarāgastuti, which serves to make him
invisible, inspects the strong places of Confusion, and finally
rendering himself visible does battle with the adversary and wins a
great victory. He restores Discrimination to his capital, and
pronounces a benediction in which praise of the Jina and of Hemacandra
blend with the desire of close union with Kṛpā and Discrimination, and
the hope that ‘my fame, allied with the moon, may prevail to dispel the
darkness of Confusion’.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account