Prabodhachandrodaya

(“Rising of the moon of wisdom”)
Sanskrit drama written by Krishnamishra, probably in the latter half of
the eleventh century. Clearly allegorical, the play celebrates the triumph of
Vaishnava piety, that is, of the devotees
(bhakta) of the god Vishnu. The play is
particularly notable for its third act, in
which representatives for four nonVaishnava sects appear: a materialist, a
Jain monk, a Buddhist monk, and a
Kapalika (a member of an ascetic community that worshiped the god Shiva).
The last is portrayed as thoroughly
depraved, indulging in meat, wine, and
sexual gratification, and having a penchant for violence. In the play, all four
heretical characters plot to capture
another character, named Faith, for
their king, named Passion. However,
they discover that Faith is a devotee of
Vishnu and is outside their powers. In
the end Faith is reunited with her son
Tranquillity and a character named
Compassion. Although the reader may
safely assume that this play is written
from a biased perspective, it is instructive in the attitudes it reveals toward
ascetics and all other non-Vaishnava
religious groups.