अभिषेकनाटकम्

[[अभिषेकनाटकम् Source: EB]]

[

[TABLE]

——————

Printed by

SREE RAGHUVEER PRINTING PRESS, MYSORE

——————

INTRODUCTION

BHASA: His Date, Life and Works.

1. THE BHASA PROBLEM

Preliminary:— Bhasa was known only by reputation through the references¹ to him by merited writers such as Kalidasa² and Bana,³ until 1912 when⁴ the late Pandit Ganapati Sastri of Trivandram published the following thirteen⁵ Sanskrit Plays—

1. Prajna Yaugandharayana, 2. Svapna-Vasavadatta, and

2. Avimaraka, (Brihatkatha plays)

3. Pratima, and 5. Abhisheka. (Ramayana plays)

4. Madhyama-Vyayoga, 7. Pancharatea, 8. Duta-Vakya,

5. Duta-Gatotkacha, 10: Karnabhara and 11. Urubhanga.(Mahabharata plays).

6. Balacharita (Krishna play).

7. Charudatta (a fragment)(Folklore play).

None of these plays bore the name of the author. Hence the learned editor, adducing a few arguments, put forth his view that—

1. All the 13 plays formed the work of one and the same person;

and 2. That writer was the great Bhasa owned by Bana and Kalidasa, as their worthy predecessor.

** All the 13 Plays, by a Single Author:**— A close examination of all these plays reveal that there are these common features among them.—

1. All the plays begin with the stage direction नान्द्यन्ते ततः प्रविशति सूत्रधारःAfter this a benedictory verse is found, with which the Sutradhara. commences the prologue of the play: But the classical plays open with the benedictory verse, after which the Sutradhara is introduced with the direction ततः प्रवाशाति सूत्रधार another strange feature of the opening stage direction in all the Trivandram plays is the repetition of the same idea in अन्तेand ततः

2. The customary practice of mentioning the names of the author of the play, his patron etc. in the prologue is totally absent in these plays.

3. The prologues usually called प्रस्तावना are termed स्थापना here⁶.

4 The Bharatavakya is the same⁷ in most of these plays.

5. The style and language are strikingly similar.

6. In many of these plays the device of ‘Unintentional Dramatic replies’ (पताकास्थान)and the figure of speech मुद्रा⁶ (Paranomasia) for the opening verse, are used.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

6. Karnabhara is an exception, where it is called Prasthavana; the Pratijna has a variant Amukham for Sthapana and there is no such expression at all in the case of Balacharitam; See Critical study P, lo; and Paranjpe’s note on Sthapana in his edition of Madhyamavyayoga,

7.इमां सागरपर्यन्तां हिमवद्विन्ध्यकुण्डलाम् \। महीमेकातपत्राङ्कां राजसिंहः प्रशास्तु नः ॥ भवन्त्वरजसो गावः परचक्रं प्रशाम्यतु । इमामपि महीं कृत्स्नां राजसिंहः प्रशास्तु नः ॥ is the . in Sv. Bala. and Dv. in Py., Avi, Abhi and in Pancha. 12 It is only the above mentioned seven plays that have ‘Rajasimhal prasastu nah’in their Bharatavakya. The Pratima, and the Karna. have merely ‘Raja bhumim prashastu naha’. In all these plays, we have the word Bharatavakya before the valedictory verse in the Charu. and Dgh. while in the MV the last verse simply refers to Upendra, and in the Uru there is a split verse at its end.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

7. The same names of minor characters, the same type of grammatical irregularities, the same ideas, sentences and expressions⁷ repeat themselves in these plays.

8. Bharata’s rules of dramaturgy are not observed in these plays, in as much as deaths, duels and battles are shown and water is actually brought on the stage

9. Stage directions are many a time wanting and to be supplied by the readers¹⁰. The directions given are very brief and indicate rapid action, as for instance in ‘Exit & Re-enter.’

10. The names of the plays are to be found only at the end (in the colophon)

These striking similarities in the thirteen plays convince any reader of their common authorship¹¹.

** Bhasa: the Author of all these plays**:— A careful study of these plays also reveal that—

(a) The grammatical and dramaturgical rules of Panini and Bharata are not applicable to these plays, which fact shows that they must have been composed before those rules were framed.

(b) The frequent use of the expletives, etc. in the slokas, the large number of the Anustubh metre, the simplicity of diction (many a time inadequate to bring out the ideas intended), and the absence of the classical figures of speech take them nearer the epic style of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

(c) Many of the ideas contained in these plays are to be

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10.Cf. for instance in the Pratijna II P, 25, 1, 3, the direction Prani- pathya is necessary at the beginning of the speech of the Kanchukiya as the king says later afgifag etc’ In the Panca, P, 9 several persons are introduced to the king. The stage direction relating to their apperance on the stage is not found.

11. Prof. De appears to doubt even this. See his article ‘The Dramas ascribed to Bhasa in 1 HQ XVI1 pp 415 ff. RV Jagirdar maintains a similar view See his’ Drama in Sanskrit Literature’, pp 74 f

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

seen in the works of Kalidasa,⁸ Asvaghosha,⁹Sudraka,¹⁰ Visakhadatta¹¹ and many others, who owe their indebtedness to the author of them.

These and similar facts make the readers believe that the author of these plays must be anterior to Panini, Bharata, Kalidasa, Sudraka and such others. But who could he be ?

Among these 13 plays, there is one by name Svapnavasavadatta which is ascribed to Bhasa by Rajasekhara in the verse—

भासनाटकचक्रेऽपि च्छेकैः क्षिप्ते परीक्षितुम्।
स्वप्नवासवदत्तस्य दाहकोऽभून्न पावकः॥

—सूत्त्किमुत्त्कावली।

This coupling of one of the prays with the name of Bhasa establishes that all the other works too (claiming the same authorship) must be by Bhasa, who alone has to his credit a नाटकचक्र।

Bana observes in his Harshacharita that “Bhasa gained as much fame, by his plays, begun by the stage-directors, containing many and varying characters, and stirring dramatic episodes, as by (the erection of) temples constructed by architects, with several stories and banners¹² “, The Trivandram plays have all the above features and hence they must be by Bhasa. This Bhasa must be the same as the one owned by Kalidasa as his predecessor and spoken of as a muni¹³ in his Prithvirajavijaya सत्काव्यसंहारविधौ खलानां दीप्तानि बहेरपि मानसानि । भासस्य काव्यं खलु विष्णुधर्मान् (?) सोप्याननात्पारतवन्मुमोच ॥”) by Jonaraja.

These two views of the Pandit were discussed in learned journals by scholars,¹⁴ both Indian and foreign. The result was that almost all concurred with the Pandit regarding the common authorship of these plays. As regards the other question there came up three¹⁵views, viz.—

1. All the 13 plays are the works of Bhasa.

2. None of the 13 plays can be ascribed to Bhasa, and

3. The material available to prove the authorship of the plays are inadequate and hence the evidences adduced so far are not at all conclusive.

Scholars who opposed the Pandit’s view pointed out that—

(a) The features of Bhasa’s plays mentioned in Harsha’s verse are found also in most of the South Indian plays, and hence can not be a conclusive proof.

(b) None of the plays can be Bhasa’s; for, the Svapnavasavadatta of this group does not contain the following sloka quoted from Bhasa’s play of the same name, by Ramachandra in his Natyadarpana.—

‘पादाक्रान्तानि पुष्पाणि सोष्म चेदं शिलातलम्।

नूनं काचिदिहासीना मां दृष्ट्वा सहसा गता॥’

These diverse views of the two sections of scholars naturally Ted to the third view mentioned above, of a few cautious scholars.

Thus, to this day, the question of Bhasa’s authorship has not been answered conclusively and hence it has remained an unsolved problem.

2. DATE OF BHASA.

Bhasa must be earlier than both Kalidasa and Bana who refer to him by name, as observed in the above, and later than Valmiki upon whose Ramayana he has drawn for the theme of his viii two dramas, viz. Pratima and Abhisheka. But Kalidasa’s date is still indefinite. If Dr. Peterson holds that “Kalidasa stands near the beginning of the Christian Era, if indeed, he does not overtop it,” Dr. Kern places him in the latter half of the 6th sent. A. D. Bana’s date, however, is almost definitely known to be the closing part of the 6th and the beginning of the 7th cent. A. D. So, at any rate, Bhasa’s date cannot be later than the 6th cent. A. D. As regards the date of Valmiki too, scholars differ. Prof. Keith¹⁶ 20 is inclined to think that Valmiki lived earlier than the 4th cent, B.C. and that those who improved on him were during the period 400- 200 B. C., while Prof, Jacobi assigns him to a date earlier than the 5th cent. B. C.

These two limits of Bhasa’s date are almost universally accepted but there has been much diversity in the opinion of scholars regarding the exact date of Bhasa. Some feel that he should be closer to Kalidasa, while others feel that he is closer to Valmiki. The learned editor of Trivandram has pointed out that Bhasa must be definitely before Panini and Bharata, as their rules of grammar and dramaturgy are not at all applicable to his plays. Again Panini’s date is not known definitely. Keith places him in the 4th cent. B. C. Accepting this date for Panini, if Bhasa is prior to him, Bhasa will have to be assigned to the 5th cent. []¹⁷ B. C at the latest

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Date of Bhasa according to different scholars.

Ganapati Sastri, Haraprasada Sastri and Pusalker. (6th cent B. C)

Jabgirdar, Kulakarni (3rd cent. B. C.)

Jayaswal, Chaudhury, Dhruva (2nd-1st cent B. C)

Konow, Sarup, Weller (2nd cent, A. D)

Keith, Jolly, Jacobi, Benerji Sastri and Bhandarkar. (3rd cent. A. D.)

Lisny and Winternitz (4th cent, A. D)

Sankar (5th-6th cent.A.D.)

Devdhar. Barnett, Hirananda Sastri Nerurkar and Pisharoti. (7th cent. A. D.)

Kane (9th cent. A. D. )

Ramavatara Sarma (10th cent. A. D.)

Rangacharya Reddy (11th cent. A. D.)

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

3. LIFE OF BHASA.

Precious little is known about Bhasa’s life. All that can be said about him is that he is a vrey ancient writer, even a muni of the class of Vyasa or Valmiki. He has strong predilections for the Vishnuite cult. He loves brahmanical rites and customs and often refers to the prominence of the Brahmins. His regard for the Brahmins and their piety is very great. In the Balacharita Kamsa says calmly— “I take even an untrue word of a Brahmana to be a true one” The home was the place of women, according to Bhasa. In the Pratijna, Mahasena freely consults with bis queen the question of their daughter’s marriage, but when he has to interview Bharatarohaka in connection with matters concerning politics, he dismisses her. Thus the queen was not privileged even to acquaint herself with the affairs of the state. In Bhasa’s time the purdah system and the Gandharva type of marriage were in vogue among the Kshatriyas. Probably the Buddistic culture was just gaining ground, which Bhasa seems to have detested.

Bhasa is a vehement advocate of Dharma. He believes in the theory धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितःThat is why he makes Yaugandharayana in the Pratijna exclaim— ‘भूमिर्भर्तारमापन्नंरक्षिता परारश्रति’In the Pancharatram, Duryodhana points out that it is false to say that Heaven can be gained only by the dead and asserts that ‘Heaven is not invisible but is here and yields its manifold fruits”. He again says that” If truth were to stand even in respect of solicited alms, al men shall stand.”

Bhasa stresses on gifts and sacrifices. In the Pancharatram, Duryodhana is represented as performing a great sacrifice and making profuse gifts, the final gift being that of half his kingdom to his own teacher Drona. Karna observes that the great kings such as Ikshvaku, Saryati, Yayati and Rama, though dead, still live through their sacrifices The sloka—

शिक्षा क्षयं गच्छति कालपर्ययात् सुबद्धमूला निपतन्ति पादपाः।
जलं जलस्थानगतं च शुष्यति हुतं च दत्तं च तथैव तिष्ठति॥(Karna Bhara 22 ).

of Karna is an ever memorable statement.

Bhasa often feels that Fate sometimes baffles all human efforts. ‘जाग्रतोऽपि बलवत्तरः कृतान्तः’ चक्रारपङ्किरिव गच्छति भाग्यपत्त्किः’ ‘कः कं शक्तो रक्षितुं मृत्युकार्ले—(Svapna VI-10) are a few of his statements which can be noted in this connection. All the same he is not a fatalist. He has vehemently expressed his conviction that proper efforts are bound to fructify, in the following statement of Yaugandharayana

काष्टादग्निर्जायते मध्यमानाद्, भूमिस्तोयं खन्यमाना ददाति।
सोत्साहानां नास्त्यसाध्यं नराणां, मार्गारब्धाः सर्वयत्नाः फलन्ति॥

Bhasa expresses things directly and in a simple and lucid language. There is something remarkably charming in every statement of is. His humour is subtle and original, in appreciation of which Jayadeva called him the ‘gentle smile of the Goddess of Poetry¹⁸’.

4. WORKS OF BHASA.

Mention has already been made of the thirteen plays ascribed to Bhasa. Another play calledयज्ञफलम् dealing with the story of the Balakanda of the Ramayana has been recently म and attributed to Bhasa. There seems to be, however, a belief that Rhasa wrote as many as twenty three dramas¹⁹ to Priya- darasika (V, V. Press Srirangam.")among which मुकुटताडितकand उदात्तराघव had a place.

About 13 stray verses²⁰ are attributed to Bhasa. Of them five are found in the शाङ्गधरपद्धति, four in the सुभाषितावली, three in the सदुत्त्किकर्णामृत and one in the सूत्त्किमुक्तावली. None of these verses is found in any of the Bhasa plays discovered so far. This cannot be a disproof to Bhasa’s authorship of those plays, for, we may yet hope to discover more works of Bhasa, where they may be found.

1. PLOT

ACT I

(वालिवधाङ्कः)

After taking a pledge to help each other, Rama and Sugriva, escorted by Lakshmana and Hanuman, move towards Kishkindha to fight with and slay Valin. On arriving at the capital, Sugriva, alone moves forward and roars out a challenge to his brother Valin. Valin hears it and regardless of his wife’s adivice, goes out, meets Sugriva in fight and knocks him down. Hanuman reminds Rama of his pledge to his master, where upon without a word of warning he lets fly an arrow which wounds Valin mortally and causes him fall down uncousious. On recovering consciousness, Valin reads Kama’s name on the arrow and complains that the act is most unbecoming of a hero. Rama teils him that this is punishment for taking his younger brother’s wife. Valin is satisfied. He expires after asking his forgiveness, and entrusting his son Angada to the care of Sugriva. to whom he offers the golden necklace (the family heir-loom). Lakshmana, is asked by Rama to arrange Sugriva’s, Consecretion.

ACT II

(अशोकवनिकाङ्कः)

[Sugriva’s captains headed by Angada come to the sea-shore in their search for Sita, wife of Rama, and who has been abducted away by Ravana. Hanuman leaps across the ocean to Lanka.]. Interlude.—

Hanuman enters Lanka and searches long for Sita. He sights Sita in the Asoka Garden, just as Ravana arrives there. He watches the demop’s efforts to win the love of the captive Sita who has nothing but scorn for him. After sometime, when Ravana goes to take his early morning bath, Hanuman introduces himself to Sita who does not believe him at first. After acquainting her with the condition of Rama, he assures her of her early rescue by Rama. He then leaves her to announce his arrival to Ravana by destroying that beautiful garden.

ACT III (विभीषणनिरसनाङ्कः)

News of the destruction of the Asokavana by Hanuman is brought to Ravana. A number of generals, one after another, and even Prince Aksha are ordered to captivate the monkey. All of them are slain by Hanuman. At last price Indrajit manages to bring him bound with snares. Hanuman defies Ravana and delivers the message of Rama. Ravana grows furious at this and orders to put him to death. Vibhishana restrains him from killing an envoy. Ravana then modifies the punishment into one of setting fire to the ape’s tail and throwing him out of his capital. Vibhisbana urges Ravana to restore Sita to Rama; but Ravana banishes him for disregarding fraternal love and siding the enemy. Vibhishana is glad and describes to resort to Rama to save the demon race from total destruction.

ACT IV (समुद्रतरणाङ्कः)

[The chamberlain of Sugriva informs the general that Hanuman has discovered Sita and asks him to get the monkey army ready to march.]—Interlude.

Rama and his host arrive at the sea-shore. Vibhishana, banish- ed by his brother, arrives there and joins Rama. After consulting Vibhishana as to how to cross the ocean, Rama is about to let fly his divine shaft upon the sea, when the god of the ocean (Varuna) appears in person before him and seeks his protection. He also grants Rama and his host a passage by divided waters. Rama, together with his troops, crosses the sea cut in twain as it were, and pitches his camp en the Suvela mountain. Nee!a, a monkey officer, catches two of Ravana’s ministers spying under the guise of monkeys. Instead of punishing them Rama orders that they should be shown the entire camp and then set free. He also sends through them this message to Ravana By abducting Sita, you have brought war upon your head. I have come to war with you, but see you not.”

ACT V (शोकाङ्कः)

[The chamberlain of Ravana is despondent at his master’s reluctance to give up Sita even though all the demon heroes inclusive of Kumbhakarna are dead. He asks another demon, Vidyujjihva by name, to bring faked models of the heads of Rama and Lakshmana, as ordered by Rama.]— Interlude.

Ravana renews his advances to Sita and shows her the faked models which appear to be the severed heads of Rama and Lakshmana and tells her that the two mortals are slain by Indrajit in battle. Sita swoons. After recovering, she asks Ravana to kill her also with the same sword her lord was put to death. Ravana says— Your wretched husband and Lakshmana are slain now; who will set you free?” Jast then a demon rushes in crying out— ‘By Rama by Rama and when the demon king asks him what that mortal has done, he informs him that Indrajit is killed by Rama Hearing this Ravana faints and after recovering decides to kill Sita on whose account so many of his brothers, sons and friends died, but is disuaded. Thereupon he goes out in his chariot to fight Rama.

ACT VI (अभिषेकाङ्कः)

Three Vidyadharas describe the battle between the monkeys and demons, and the duel between Rama and Ravana. After a long and terrible fight, Rama kills Ravana with the Bramhastra.] Prelude.

Rama proclaims Vibhishana as lord of Lanka. News of Sita’s coming to meet Rama is brought to him, but Rama refuses to see her on the plea that she has been sullied by her stay in Ravana’s palace and has become a stain on Ikshvaku’s house.’ He gives his assent to Sita’s desire to burn herself. She lays herself on a burning pyre prepared for her by Lakshmana, but the god of Fire hurts her not and leads her back to her lord. He salutes Rama ag Narayana and hands her over to him, saying— This Sita is sinless pure, unscathed and honoured of all the world. Know that this daughter of Janaka is the blessed Lakshmi, come to you in human form. All are surprised. Rama says— ‘I know her purity, but, I desired to convince the (thousand-tongued) world. The celestial bards sing in praise of Rama. Agni crowns him as king in the presence of Dasaratha, (who evidently comes down to that spot). Rama rejoices at the news that his subjects led by Bharata are arriving there to meet him. The congratulations of Indra and the gods are conveyed to Rama, whereupon he thanks them.

2. SOURCE AND DEVIATIONS THEREFROM

In the Abhishekanakata, Bhasa has presented the story of the Kishkindha, Sundara and Yuddha Kandas of the Ramayana, in a quite novel and striking manner. The story has been slightly altered to make the presentation of it effective and impressive. No radical change has been made, nor is anything very new introduced to im- press the drama with the originality of the writer as in the ‘*Pratima’*or the ‘Svapna’. Yet the play shows original treatment of the already available subject matter. Thus in this play, at the outset, Valin is hit down by Rama in the very first fight of Sugriva with him. Valin is made greater here, by speaking of him as having taken the foremost part in the Ocean-churning. He is represented a very fond father, and a kind, generous and forgiving brother, when, before dying, he is made to offer to Sugriva his family heir-loom, the gold necklace and his son Angada, the Kulapravala.

Rama too is here, a nobler person. The often pointed out defect in Rama’s conduct viz. the pracchanna vadha of Valin is defended here in an original way. Even Valin is satisfied on hearing Rama’s justification of his own act on the grounds (1) Valin is a morkey and can be killed by a king, who is allowed to hunt fighting face to face, or through snares and guiles; and (2) Valin, ‘a monkey chief endowed with the power of discretion, has taken his younger brother’s wife, (an act prohibited by law codes) and hence deserves death punishment. Sugriva’s consecration only after Valin’s death (and not earlier in the forest alone) is really a noble thing here.

In the Second Act Hanuman enters with Rama’s ring in hand, but we do not see what happens to it. Although this may look a little inconsistent, it must be admitted that there is no need for Hanuman’s giving the ring to Sita, or relating to her the secret of her private life known only to Rama, to convince her of his bona fide. Sita is more human here. She decides to speak to him, whoever he may be, for he has been speaking highly of her husband. Being very shrewd, she also trusts him, finding him’ trust-worthy from his conversation. Neither Rama nor Sita have any reason to distrust the words of Hanuman. Then, where is any need for Sita to send her Chudamani to Rama? That is why the ring and the Chudamani topics have been wisely dropped by Bhasa.

The circumstances driving Sita to enter fire are, in this play, different from those in the Epic. They are designed to produce a dramatic suspense and anxiety in the reader’s mind and also to show Rama as a king eger alive to public opinion.

Bhasa’original treatment is best revealed in his description of Rama’s crossing the ocean of divided waters and not by means of the famous bridge constructed. Rama’s consecration by Agni on the seashore, in the presence of Dasaratha, and Bharatha’s going along with his subjects to meet his brother Rama (probably with the intention of assisting him in bis fight with Ravana) and his arrival just at the time of Rama’s consecration are clear evidences of the masterly originality of the author.

All the same, in conclusion, it must be observed that unlike the other plays of Bhasa, his Abhishekanakata exhibits very little of his individuality, in the handling of a popular story.

3. THE TITLE

A remarkable feature of the plays of Bhasa is their significant titles. Every one of their titles indicates either the most striking o feature or the most impressive scene of the particular play. It is only in the case of two of his dramas (the Avimaraka and the Charudatta) that he name them in the most ordinary way, after the heroes thereof. In all the other plays of Bhasa, their very titles rouse our curiosity to know the subject matter, which although a popular and common place one, is invariably presented in a novel and original fashion. Thus if the Pratijna is after the peculiar vows taken more than once by the hero Yaugandharayana, the Pratima after the Statue House’ scene, and the Pancharatra after the ‘Five Days’ condition of Duryodhana, the Abhishekanatakais after the three Abhishekas of Sugriva, Vibhishana and Rama, which occur prominently at the beginning, middle and end of the play. Of these Abhishekas, Rama’s is most striking and impressive, in as much as it comes up even on the seashore, Agni taking the leading part and Dasaratha witnessing. The rejoicing on the occasion is complete leaving no want or shortcoming, as Bharatha and even the subjects of Ayodhya arrive there just in time. This scene, therefore, naturally leaves a permanent impression on the reader’s mind, and the title of the play after such a scene is really a very signifcant one.

4. STYLE

Bhasa always employs a simple, elegant and at the same time direct and forceful style in everything that he writes. His verses, as well as his prose, are easy to understand in as much as the words employed are very simple. He is very brief in his expression which is sometimes inadequate to bring out clearly the idea contained therein. He scrupulously avoids the use of long compounds. The speeches of his characters are generally short but pointed and hence very effective. He is very fond of repeating the same expressions, phrases, sentences and even slokas, in the course of almost all his works. He sometimes puns on words. He employs only simple figures of speech. His plays abound in beautiful subhashitas and pitby proverbial statements.

[His works contain some grammatical irregularities and departure from dramaturgical rules, which feature only shows that they were written in a period when there were no such hard and fast rules of either grammar or dramaturgy.]

5. GENERAL AND TECHNICAL

The Abhisheka is a Nataka. The Hero Rama is a dhirodatta, and the rival-hero Ravana is a dhiroddhata. The chief Rasa is Vira and is fed by Karuna, Adbhutaand Bhayanaka sentiments. The play fairly answers all the technical requirements of a Nataka.

The Abhisheka was first discovered along with the Pratima and Ascharya Chudamani, in a single volume of a palm leaf manuscript. A thorough examination of the three works reveals that the Abhisheka bears closer resemblance to the Ascharyachudamani than to the Pratima. This has led some to think that the Abhisheka is not by ‘Bhasa, the author of the Pratima, but is of Shaktibhadra, the author of the A. Chudamani (See P. 8 Intro to Abhisheka by V. Venkatarama Sastri; also Kuppuswami Sastri’s Intros. to Ascharyachudamani pp. 18-26) When compared with the other plays of Bhasa, the Abhisheka comes last in every respect, in art, in construction, in quality and even in presentation. It contains a very large number of verses unlike the other Bhasa plays. If the play is by Bhasa, it is but a poor, specimen of his high talents.

6. THE CHARACTERS.

**Rama—**Rama, the hero of this play, is more a ruthless warrior king than a man with tender feelings. He has a very keen sense of duty and as such, he minds his duty first. All other considerations come up only next. Tne moment Hanuman reminds Rama of his promise to Sugriva (when Sugriva is fighting with Valin,) without a word Rama discharges an arrow at Valin and slays him, although Valin has done him no harm. Sugriva is his Asrita, and his duty is to protect him at all costs. Even when Vibhishana approaches him seeking his protection, Rama sets aside all considerations and welcomes him, in spite of Sugriva’s protests. His anxiety that the great name of his family should be preserved is so great that he refuses to take back Sita who has lived in an enemy’s house, until she proves her purity by throwing herself into fire and is brought back by Agni himself. He has a heart which is mysteriously deep and impenetrable by ordinary persons. He reveals to Agni that he knew Sita’s purity quite well and allowed her to fall into fire only to convince the wide world of her purity. His very high sense of duty as a king towards his subjects is seen in his not sending word to Bharata for assistance in rescuing Sita, which is his personal business.

A single arrow of Rama goes through the seven Sala trees and another is enough to slay Valin. The mere threat of an arrow makes Varuna give a passage for him and his hosts across the ocean. Even the mighty Ravana is killed with a single Brahmastra. If these show that Rama is a mighty warrior, his treatment to the demon-spies, Suka and Sarana, shows how forgiving he is. His momentous fight with Ravana proves his fearlessness of weapon, demon, or death.

He is not ambitious. He bates conquest for conquest’s sake. He is a yuddha vira but is always engaged in a dharma yuddha to uphold the cause of dharma. His slaying of Valin is to punish him for the sin of taking his younger brother’s wife. When he slays Ravana in battle after a great fight, he does not even for a moment, think of himself becoming lord of Lanka, but straightway crowns Vibhishana, the heir to the throne.

He is very good to his friends and servants. His treatment of Sugriva, Vibbishana, Hanuman and many others is full of lose, courtesy and understanding. His affection for his brothers and love for his subjects have been proverbial. Reading the feelings of others by looking at their faces is a remarkable talent in Kama.

In this play Rama is more than once identified with Vishnu-but curiously enough, not once does he himself act or speak as the great god. On the other hand, as an ordinary man, he salutes the gods Varuna and Agni when he sees them. Although Rama is presented, to us in this play only as a heroic warrior ruthlessly minding his duty, every time we see him act or speak, we find a dignified nobility and greatness about him, which raise him to a level far higher than of an ordinary person.

Ravana— Ravana, the rival-hero of the play, is also a brave yuddhavira, as evidenced by his fight with Rama which he rages with a terrific fury. No doubt he is a demon with plenty of demonly qualities. His overtures to Sita by entreaty and by threat, his trying to dupe her into believing that Rama and Lakshmana are dead and his inducing her to have a widow-marriage with him and later on, his desire to cut her heart and to pull out ber entrails.as a revenge on her for bringing about the death of his sons and friends show him a demon out and out. All the same, the buman is ever alive in him. As an affectionate father, he dotes on his son Indrajit, and as a fond brother, only exiles Vibhishana for openly siding Rama. He respects every sense of dharma. He is easily averted form slaying a woman and an envoy.

He is very proud of his heroism and has a conviction that he is capable of defeating anyone, being the conqueror of all the three worlds. But quite contrary to his own expectation he sees his fall, in the death of his sons and in the circumstances most unfavourable to him throughout. These do not make him lose heart. His challenge to the goddess of Lanka, whom he beholds deserting him, that she will be seized by force once again after killing Rama, just as she was seized before in Kubera’s abode, speaks for itself, of his great sense of personal ability and high dignity. He boldly goes to the battlefield where he fights with a great terrific rage, until his death. It is only once that he feels slight fear; and that is when he thinks that Haruman may be tbat curse of Nandin, which had been flung on him for shaking the mount Kailasa, formerly.

He is a good ruter. Lanka is very rich, beautiful and prosperous equalling Indra’s city, under his rule. He is kind and courteous to his subordinates. The abduction of Sita is the only folly in Ravana, He is also foolish to think that a woman like Sita can be seduced by holding out the temptations of power, glory and riches. That he is little good at argument is seen when he fails to reply Hanuman’s question as to why he cheated Rama by stealing Sita in his absence, if he is really powerful. His stubborn stand, not to yield to Rama, is both a merit and a folly in Ravana.

** Vibhishana—**Vibhishana, younger brother of Ravana is a good, pious-minded and bold prince. Although a demon by birth, he has only the virtues of men and not a single quality of the demon. He stands up boldly for the cause of truth, justice and fairplay. He does not hesitate to point out to Ravana that an envoy should not be put to death. He goes to the extant of advising him to restore Sita to her husband, as otherwise the demon race will have to face total destruction. He expresses his views plainly and is prepared to face the consequence. He loves his men and country dearly; according to his own statement, it is only to save the demon-race that he seeks the shelter of Rama. It is as a very sincere ally of Rama that be advises him to fling an arrow at Varuna if he does not allow a passage across the ocean. He is very kind and sympathetic. When Rama refuses to take back Sita, he tries to advocate her cause but is silenced by Rama.

Lakshmana— We come to see very little of Lakshmana in this play. He is an obedient. brother of Rama, readily carrying out whatever he is asked to do. It is only when Rama asks him to prepare a pyre for Sita to burn herself, as desired by her, that Lakshmana hesitates to act and consults Hanuman as to what to do. This is only due to his conviction that Sita is pure and does not merit such a cruel treatment by Rama.

**Valin—**Valin is a mighty ruler of Kishkindha. Although an ape, he is endowed with the power of argument and the descrimination of right and wrong. He is fearless and heroic. He goes to fight with Sugriva, heedless of the entreaties and warning of his own wife Tara. He tells Rama that his slaying him in a cowardly manner is an act of adharma Rama’s reply is enough to convince him that he, as an adulterer of his younger brother’s wife, merited that punishment. Before dying he forgets and forgives the offence of his younger brother Sugriva and hands over to him, his gold necklace, the family heir-loom, and entrusts his son and the future heir to the throne to his care and protection.

Sugriva— Sugriva is an honest and faithful ally of Rama. He protests against Rama’s taking in Vibhishana, as the demons are generally artful and full of fraud. He is far-sighted and enters into alliance with Rama only after making sure of his ability.

Hanuman— Hanuman is a great hero and the trusted minister of Sugriva, following his master like a shadow even during his bad days. He does a monumental service to Rama. by leaping across the seas to Lanka, finding out Sita, delivering to her news of Rama, destroying the Asoka pak and consequently meeting Ravana, knowing his personal as well as military strength, and returning to Rama to acquaint him with Sita’s condition. He takes a leading part even in the conquest of Lanka. He is very shrewd and judges persons correctly. Even in the court of Ravana, he forms a correct opinion of Vibhishana, as the one righteous person in the whole of Lanka. He is cautious and knows when and how to act. He easily wins the confidence of even Sita who hesitates to speak to him at first. His motto is implicit obedience to the master. When Lakshmana hesitates to prepare the pyre for Sita**,**even after Rama’s permission, Hanuman asks him ‘What is here to consider?’, thus suggesting that he has simply to obey. Being such a true and faithful follower of Rama, it is no wonder that he is fondly liked by his masters and worshipped all over India.

Sita—The most outstanding virtue of Sita is her unequivocal devotion to her husband and unique identification with him. She figures in this play as a suffering heroine from the beginning to the very end until the Fire God hands her to her lord. She is kept in confinement by the cruel demon Ravana, who repeatedly makes to her very filthy proposals She is harassed in various ways by the defon king and the demonesses keeping constant watch round her, that she grows quite desparate about her rescue. Even when she is rescued, her own husband refuses to take her and allows her to jump into fire. Sita patiently suffers all this. Even in her suffering her only concern is her husband. She imagines his sufferings during her separation from him and suffers doubly. She feels amply rewarded for all this when Hanuman tells her that Rama too is very much worried about her condition.

As a worthy wife of a heroic husband, she shows great courage and firmness in defying Ravana and treating him with utmost contempt. No temptation of power, riches or comfort can seduce her. She has very tender feelings.

She asks Hanuman to describe her condition to Rama in such a way that he may not break down in grief. Her constant prayer to god, in her misery, is that all may end well and that her lord may be happy, Although Agni says to Rama that Sita is goddess Lakshmi, all that we see of her in the play is that she is just a human being with human feelings. If she is unhurt by Fire, it is because she is pure and sinless and not because she is a goddess. Even Agni stands testimony to this. It is this purity of Sita in word, thought and deed that has elevated her to the level of a goddess.

————

पात्राणि—DRAMATIS PERSON

पुरुषाः—Male

रामः — Dasaratha’s eldest son.

लक्ष्मणः— Rama’s younger brother.

सुग्रीवः— A monkey prince.

**वाली—**Sugriva’s elder brother & lord of किष्किन्धा

अङ्गदः— Son of Valin.

**हनूमान्—**Sugriva’s trusted chief.

नीलः— A monkey officer.

**वलाध्यक्षः—**A Monkey General.

**बिलमुखः—**A monkey soldier (News-bearer)

ककुभः— A monkey officer.

वानरकाञ्चुकीयः— Chamberlain of Sugriva.

** रावणः—** Lord of Lanka.

** विभीषणः—**Younger brother of Ravana.

**विद्युज्जिह्वः—**A demon.

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**A demon attendant on Ravana.

** शुकः, सारणः—** Ravana’s ministers disguised as monkeys.

राक्षसकाञ्चुकीयः— Chamberlain of Ravana.

विद्याधराः (त्रयः)— Celestial bards.

अग्निः— The God of fire.

** वरुणः—** The god of waters.

**स्त्रियः—**Female

** सीता—** Rama’s wife.

तार— Valin’s wife.

राक्षस्यः— Demonesses.

विजया— Portress in Ravana’s palace.

–––––––––––––––––

श्रीः

अभिषेकनाटकम्

––––––

(नान्द्यन्ते ततः प्रविशति सूत्रधारः)

सूत्रधारः—

यो गाधिपुत्रमखविघ्नकराभिहन्ता
युद्धे विराधखरदूषणवीर्यहन्ता²¹।
दर्पोद्यतोल्वण²²कबन्धकपीन्द्रहन्ता।
पायात् स वो निशिचरेन्द्रकुलामिहन्ता॥१॥

एवमार्यमिश्रान् विज्ञापयामि। (परिक्रम्यावलोक्य) अये किन्नु खलु मयि विज्ञापनव्यग्रे शब्द इव श्रूयते। अङ्ग! पश्यामि।

(नेपथ्ये) सुग्रीव! इत इतः!

(प्रविश्य)

** पारिपार्श्विकः**— भाव !

कुतो नु खल्वेषसुमुत्थितो ध्वनिः
प्रवर्तते श्रोत्रविदारणो महान्।
प्रचण्डवातोद्धतभीमगामिनां
बलाहकानामिव खेऽभिगर्जताम्॥२॥

सूत्रधारः— मार्ष! किं नावगच्छसि? एष खलु सीतापहरणजनितसन्तापस्य रघुकुलप्रदीपस्य सर्वलोकनयनाभिरामस्य रामस्य च, दाराभिमर्शननिर्विषयीकृतस्य सर्वहर्यृक्षराजस्य सुविपुलमहाग्रीवस्य सुग्रीवस्य च परस्परोपकारकृत²³प्रतिज्ञयोः सर्ववानराधिपतिं हेममालिनं वालिनं हन्तुं²⁴ समुद्योगः प्रवर्तते। तत²⁵ एतौ हि,

इदानीं राज्यविभ्रष्टं सुग्रीवं रामलक्ष्मणौ।
पुनः स्थापयितुं प्राप्ताविन्द्रं हरिहराविव॥३॥

(निष्क्रान्तौ)

स्थापना

(ततः प्रविशति रामो, लक्ष्मणसुग्रीवौ, हनुमांश्च)

रामः— सुप्रीव! इत इतः।

मत्सायकान्निहतभिन्नविकीर्णदेहं
शत्रुं तवाद्य सहसा²⁶ भुवि पातयामि।
राजन्! भयं त्यज ममापि²⁷ समीपवर्ती
दृष्टस्त्वया²⁸ च समरे निहतः स वाली॥४॥

** सुग्रीवः**— देव! अहं स्वल्यार्यस्य प्रसादाद् देवानामपि राज्यमाशङ्के, किं पुनर्वानराणाम्। कुतः,

मुत्त्कोदेव ! तवाद्य वालिहृदयं भेत्तुं न मे संशयः
सालान् सप्त महावने हिमगिरेः शृङ्गोपमाञ्छ्रीघर।
भित्त्वा वेगवशात् प्रविश्य धरणीं गत्वा च नागालयं
मज्जन् वीर! पयोनिधौ पुनरयं सम्प्राप्तवान् सायकः॥५॥

हनुमान्—

तव नृप! मुखनिःसृतैर्वचोभि-
र्विगतभया हि वयं विनष्टशोकाः।
रघुवर! हरये जयं प्रदातुं
गिरिमभिगच्छ सनीरनीरदाभम्॥६॥

** लक्ष्मणः**

—

आर्य! सोपस्नेहतया वनान्तरस्याभितः²⁹खलु किष्किन्धयाभवितव्यम्।

** सुग्रीवः—**सम्यगाह कुमारः।

सम्प्राप्ता हरिवरबाहुसम्प्रगुप्ता³⁰
किष्किन्धा तव नृप ! बाहुसम्प्रगुप्ता³¹।
तिष्ठ त्वं नृवर ! करोम्यहं विसंज्ञं
नादेन प्रचलमहीधरं नृलोकम्॥ ७॥

** रामः**

—

भवतु,³² गच्छ।

** सुग्रीवः**

—

यदाज्ञापयति देवः। (परिक्रम्य³³) भोः!

अपराधमनुद्दिश्य परित्यत्त्कस्त्वया विभो!

युद्धे त्वत्पादशुश्रूषां सुग्रीवः कर्तुमिच्छति॥८॥

(नेपथ्ये) कथं कथं सुग्रीव इति!

(ततः प्रविशति बाली, गृहीतवस्त्रया तारथासह)

** वाली—**कथं कथं सुग्रीव इति।

तारे! विमुञ्च मम वस्त्रमनिन्दिताङ्गि!
प्रस्त्रस्तवक्त्रनयने! किमसि प्रवृत्ता।
सुग्रीवमद्य समरे विनिपात्यमानं
तं पश्य शोणितपरिप्लुत³⁴सर्वगात्रम्॥९॥

** तारा—**पसीअउ पसीअउ महाराओ। अप्पेण³⁵ कारणेण ण आगमिस्सइ सुग्गीओ। ता अमच्चवग्गेण सह सम्मन्तिअ गन्तव्वं। [प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः। अल्पेन कारणेन नागमिष्यति सुग्रीवः। तदमात्यवर्गेण सह संमन्त्य गन्तव्यम्।]

** वाली—**आ³⁶ः

शक्रो वा भवतु गतिः शशाङ्कवक्त्रे!

शत्रोर्मे निशितपरश्वधः शिवो वा!

नालं मामभिमुखमेत्य सम्प्रहर्तं
विष्णुर्वा विकसितपुण्डरीकनेत्रः॥१०॥

** तारा—**पसीअउपसीअउ महा³⁷राओ। इमस्स जणस्स अणुग्गहं दाव करेउंअरिहदि³⁸ महाराओ। [प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः। अस्य जनस्यानुग्रहं तावत् कर्तुमर्हति महाराजः।]

** वाली—**श्रूयतां मत्पराक्रमः।

तारे! मया खलु पुरामृतमन्थनेऽपि
गत्वा प्रहस्य³⁹ सुरदानवदैत्यसङ्घान्।
उत्फुल्लनेत्रमुरगेन्द्रमुदग्ररूप-
माकृष्यमाणमवलोक्य सुविस्मितास्ते॥११॥

**तारा—**पसीअउ पसीअउ महाराओ। [प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः।]

वाली— हं⁴⁰, मम वशानुवर्तिनी भव। प्रविश त्वमभ्यन्तरम्।

**तारा—**एसा गच्छामि मन्दभाआ। [एषा गच्छामि मन्दभागा।]
(निष्क्रान्ता)

**वाली—**हन्त प्रविष्टा तारा। यावदहं⁴¹ सुग्रीवं भग्नग्रीवं करोमि। (द्रुतमुपगम्य) सुग्रीव⁴²।तिष्ठ तिष्ट।

इन्द्रो वा शरणं तेऽस्तु प्रभुर्वा मधुसूदनः।
मच्चक्षुष्पथमासाद्य सजीवो नैव यास्यसि॥१२॥

इत इतः⁴³।

सुग्रीवः— यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। (उभौ नियुद्धं कुरुतः)

** रामः—**एष एष वाली,

सन्दष्टोष्टश्चण्डसंरक्तनेत्रो
मुष्टिं कृत्वा गाढमुद्वृत्तदंष्ट्रः⁴⁴।
गर्जन भीमं वानरो भाति युद्धे
संवर्त्ताग्निः सन्दिधक्षुर्यथैव॥१३॥

**लक्ष्मणः—**सुग्रीवमपि पश्य⁴⁵त्वार्यः,

विकसितशतपत्ररक्तनेत्रः⁴⁶
कनकमयाङ्गदनद्धपीनबाहुः।
हरिवरमुपयाति⁴⁷वानरत्वाद्
गुरुमभिभूय सतां विहाय वृत्तम्॥१४॥

वालिना ताडितः पतितः सग्रीवः।

**हनूमान—**हा ! धिक्। (ससम्भ्रमं राममुपगम्य) जयतु देवः। अस्यैषावस्था।

बलवान् वानरेन्द्रस्तु दुर्बलश्च पतिर्मम।
अवस्था शपथश्चैव सर्वमार्येण चिन्त्यताम्॥१५॥

**रामः—**हनूमन् ! अलमलं संभ्रमेण। एतदनुष्ठीयते। (शरं मुक्त्वा) हन्त पतितो वाली !

**लक्ष्मणः—**एष एष वाली,

रुधिरकलितगात्रः स्रस्तसंरक्तनेत्रः

कठिणविपुलबाहुः काललोकं विविक्षुः।
अभिपतति कथञ्चिद् धीरमाकर्षमाणः
शरवरपरिवीतं शान्तवेगं शरीरम्॥१६॥

वाली— (मोहमुपगम्य पुनः समाश्वस्य शरे नामाक्षराणि वाचयित्वा राममुद्दिश्य)

युक्तंभो! नरपतिधर्ममास्थितेन
युद्ध मां छलयितुमक्रमेण राम!
वीरेण व्यपगतधर्मसंशयेन
लोकानां छलमपनेतुमुद्यतेन॥१७॥

हन्त भोः!

भवता सौम्यरूपेण यशसो भाजनेन च।
छलेन मां प्रहरता प्ररूढमयशः कृतम्॥१८॥

भो राधव! चीरवल्कलधारिणा वेषविपर्यस्तचित्तेन मम भ्रात्रा सह युद्धव्यग्रस्याधर्म्यः खलु प्रच्छन्नो वधः!

रामः—कथमधर्म्यः खलु प्रच्छन्नो वध इति?

वाली— कः संशयः?

रामः—न खल्वेतत्। पश्य,

वागुराच्छन्नमाश्रित्य मृगाणामिष्यते वधः।
वध्यत्वाच्च मृगत्वाच्च भवाञ्छन्नेन दण्डितः॥१९॥

वाली— दण्ड्य इति मां भवान् मन्यते?

रामः— कः संशयः?

वाली—केन कारणेन?

रामः— अगम्यागमनेन।

वाली— अगम्यागमनेनेति? एषोऽस्माकं धर्मः।

रामः—ननु⁴⁸युक्तं भोः!

भवता वानरे⁴⁹न्द्रेण धर्माधर्मौविजानता।
आत्मानं मृगमुद्दिश्य भ्रातृदाराभिमर्शनम्?॥२०॥

वाली— भ्रातृदाराभिमर्शनेन तुल्यदोषयोरहमेव दण्डितो, न सुग्रीवः!

रामः— दण्डितस्त्वं हि दण्ड्यत्वाद् अदण्ड्यो नैव दण्ड्यते!

वाली—

सुग्रीवेणाभिमृष्टा⁵⁰भूद्धर्मपत्नी गुरोर्मम।
तस्य दाराभिमर्शेन कथं दण्ड्योऽस्मि राघव?॥२१॥

** रामः—** न त्वेव हि कदाचिज्ज्येष्ठस्य यवीयसो दाराभिमर्शनम्।

** वाली—** हन्त अनुत्तरा वयम्! भवता दण्डितत्वाद् विगतपापोऽहं ननु?

रामः— एवमस्तु।

** सुग्रीवः—** हा धिक्!

करिकरसदृशौ गजेन्द्रगामि-
स्तव रिपुशस्त्रपरिक्षताङ्गदौच।
अवनितलगतौ समीक्ष्य वाहू
हरिवर! हा पततीव मेऽद्य चित्तम्॥२२॥

** वाली—** सुग्रीव! अलमलं विषादेन। ईदृशो लोकधर्मः।

(नेपथ्ये) हा हा महाराओ! [हा हा महाराजः!]

** वाली—** सुग्रीव! संवार्यतां संवार्यतां स्त्रीजनः। एवंगतं नार्हति मां द्रष्टुम्।

सुग्रीवः— यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। हनूमन्! एवं क्रियताम्।

** हनूमान्—** यदाज्ञापयति कुमारः। (निष्क्रान्तः)

(ततः प्रविशत्यङ्गदो हनुमांश्च)

** हनूमान्—** अङ्गद! इत इतः।

** अङ्गदः—**

श्रुत्वा कालवशं यान्तं हरिमृक्षगणेश्वरम्।
समापतितसन्तापः⁵¹ प्रयामि शिथिलक्रमः॥२३॥

हनूमन्! कुत्र महाराजः?

** हनूमान्—** एष महाराजः,

शरनिर्भिन्नहृदयो विभाति धरणीतले।
गुहशक्तिसमाक्रान्तो यथा क्रौञ्चाचलोत्तमः॥२४॥

** अङ्गदः—** (उपसृत्य) हा महाराज!

अतिबलसुखशायी पूर्वमासी⁵²र्हरीन्द्रः
क्षितितलपरिवर्ती क्षीणसर्वाङ्गचेष्टः।
शरवरपरिवीतं व्यक्तमुत्सृज्य देहं
किमभिलपसि वीरस्वर्गमद्याभिगन्तुम्⁵³ ॥२५॥

(इति भूमौ पतितः⁵⁴)

** वाली—**अङ्गद! अलमलं विषादेन। भोः⁵⁵ सुग्रीव!

मया कृतं दोषमपास्य बुद्ध्या
त्वया हरीणामधिपेन सम्यक्।
विमुच्य रोषं परिगृह्⁵⁶मधर्मं
कुलप्रवालं परिगृह्यतां नः॥२६॥

** सुग्रीवः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।

** बाली—**भो राघव! यस्मिन् कस्मिन् वापराधेऽनयोर्वानरचापलं क्षन्तुमर्हसि।

** रामः—**वाढम्⁵⁷।

** बाली—**सुग्रीव! प्रतिगृह्यतामस्मत्कुलधनं हेममाला।

** सुग्रीवः—**अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि। (प्रतिगृह्णाति)

** वाली—** हनूमन्! आपस्तावत्।

** हनूमान्—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। (निष्क्रम्य प्रविश्य) इमा आपः।

** वाली—**(आचम्य) परित्यजन्तीव मां प्राणाः। इमा गङ्गाप्रभृतयो महानद्य एता ऊर्वश्यादयोऽप्सरसो मामभिगताः। एष सहस्रहंसप्रयुक्तो⁵⁸वीरवाही विमानःकालेन प्रेषितो मां नेतुमागतः। भवतु। अयमयमागच्छामि। (स्वर्गतः⁵⁹)

** सर्वे—** हा हा महाराज!

** रामः—**हन्त स्वर्गं गतो वाली! सुग्रीव! क्रियतामस्य संस्कारः।

** सुग्रीवः—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः।

** रामः—**लक्ष्मण! सुग्रीवस्याभिषेकः कल्प्यताम्।

** लक्ष्मणः—**यदाज्ञापयत्यार्यः।

(निष्क्रान्ताः सर्वे)

प्रथमोऽङ्कः

––––––––––––––

अथ द्वितीयोऽङ्कः

(ततः प्रविशति ककुभः)

** ककुभः**— निष्टितप्रायत्वात् कार्यस्याहारव्यापृताः सर्वे वानरयूथपाः। तस्मादहमपि किञ्चिदाहारजातं सम्भावयामि। (तथा करोति) (ततः प्रविशति बिलमुखः)

** बिलमुखः**— पेसिओ म्हि महालाएण सुग्गीवेण-अय्यरामस्स किदोवआरम्पच्चुवआरणिमित्तं सव्वासु दिसासु सीदाविअअणे पेसिआ सव्वे वाणरा आअदा। तेसदीक्खणापहमुहस्स कुमारस्स अङ्गदस्स पवृत्ति जाणिअ सिग्धं आअच्छत्ति। ता कुहिंणुहु गओ कुमारो। (परिक्रम्याग्रतो विलोक्य)एसो अहसकउहो। जाव णं पुच्छाणि। (उपसृत्य) मुहं अय्यस्त[प्रेषितोऽस्मि महाराजेन सुग्रीवेणआर्यरामस्य कृतोपकारप्रत्युपकारनिमित्तं सर्वासु दिशासु सीताविचयने प्रेषिताः सर्वे वानरा आगताः। तेषां दक्षिणापथमुखत्य कुमारस्याङ्गदस्य प्रवृत्तिं ज्ञात्वा शीघ्रमागच्छेति। तत् क्वनुखलु गतः कुमारः? (परिक्रम्याग्रतो विलोक्य) एष आर्यककुभः। यावदेनं पृच्छामि? (उपसृत्य) सुखमार्यस्य?]

** ककुभः—**अये बिलमुख! कुतो भवान्?

** बिलमुखः—**अय्य! महालाअस्स सासणेण कुमारं अङ्गदं पेक्खिदं आउदो म्हि।

[आर्य! महाराजस्य शासनेन कुमारमङ्गदं प्रेक्षितुमागतोऽस्मि।]

** ककुभः—**अपि कुशली आर्यरामो महाराजश्च?

** बिलमुखः—**आम्।

** ककुभः—** कोऽभिप्रायो महाराजस्य?

** बिलमुखः—**पेसिओ म्हि … (इति पूर्ववत् पठति)

** ककुभः—** किं न जानीषे निष्टितमर्धंकार्यस्य?

** बिलमुखः—**किं किम्?

** ककुभः—**श्रूयतां,

लब्ध्वा वृत्तान्तं रामपत्न्याः खगेन्द्रढि्
आरुह्यागेन्द्रं सद्विपेन्द्रं महेन्द्रम्।
लङ्कामभ्येतुं वायुपुत्रेण शीघ्रं

वीर्यप्राबल्याल्लङ्घितः सागरोऽद्य ॥१॥

तस्मादागच्छ, कुमारपादमूलमेव संश्रयावः। (निष्क्रान्तौ)

मिश्रविष्कम्भकः

(ततः प्रविशति राक्षसीगणपरिवृता सीता)

सीता— हदि! अदिधीरा खु म्हि मन्दभाआ। जा अय्यउत्तविरहिदा रक्खसराअभवणं आणीदा अणिठ्ठाणि अणरिहाणि जहमणोरहप्पवृत्ताणि वअणाणि साविअमाणा जीवामि मन्दभाआ। आदु अय्यदत्तसाअअप्पच्चएण कहं विअत्ताणं⁶⁰”) पय्यवत्थावेमि। किंणुखु अज्ज पज्जालिअमाणे कम्मआरग्गिमण्डले⁶¹उदअप्पसेओ विअ किञ्चिहिअअप्पसादो समुप्पण्णो। किंणुखु मं अन्तरेण पसण्णहिअओ अय्यउत्तो भवे! \हा धिग्! अतिधीरा खल्वस्मि मन्दभागाःआर्यपुत्रविरहिता राक्षसराजभवनमानीतानिष्टान्यनर्हाणि यथामनोरथप्रवृत्तानि वचनानि श्राव्यमाणा जीवामि मन्दभागा। अथवा आर्यपुत्रसायकप्रत्ययेन कथमप्यात्मानं पर्यवस्थापयामि। किन्नुखल्वद्य प्रज्वाल्यमाने [कर्मकाराग्नि⁶¹-मण्डले उदकप्रसेक इवकिञ्चिद् हृदयप्रसादः समुत्पन्नः। किन्नुखलु मामन्तरेण प्रसन्नहृदय आर्यपुत्रो भवेत्!]

(ततः प्रविशति हनूमान्अङ्गुलीयकहस्तः)

** हनूमान्—**(लङ्कां प्रविश्य) अहो रावणभवनस्य विन्यासः⁶²!

कनकरचितचित्रतोरणाढ्या
मणिवरविद्रुमशोभितप्रदेशा।
विमलविकृतसञ्चितैर्विमानै-

र्वियति महेन्द्रपुरीव भाति लङ्का॥२॥

अहोतु खलु,

एतां प्राप्य दशग्रीवो राजलक्ष्मीमनुत्तमाम्।
विमार्गप्रतिपन्नत्वाद् व्यापादयितुमुद्यतः॥३॥

(सर्वतो गत्वा) विचरितप्राया मया लङ्का।

गर्भागारविनिष्कुटेषु बहुशः शालाविमानादिषु
स्नानागारनिशाचरेन्द्रभवनप्रासादहर्म्येषु च।
पानागारनिशान्तदेशविवरेष्वाक्रान्तवानस्म्यहं
सर्वं भो! विचितं न चैव नृपतेः पत्नी मया दृश्यते ॥४॥

अहो व्यर्थो मे परिश्रमः। भवतु, एतद्धर्म्याग्रमारुह्यावलोकयामि। (तथा कृत्वा⁶³.”)) अये अयं प्रमदवनराशिः। इमं प्रविश्य परीक्षिष्ये। (प्रविश्यावलोक्य) अहो प्रमदवनसमृद्धिः! इह हि,

कनकरचित⁶⁴विद्रुमेन्द्रनीलैर्विकृतिमहाद्रुमपङ्क्तिचित्रदेशा।
रुचिरतरनगा विभाति शुभ्रा नभसि सुरेन्द्रविहारभूमिकल्पा॥५॥

अपिच,

चित्रप्रस्तुतहेमधातुरुचिराः शैलाश्च दृष्टा मया
नानावारिचराण्डजैर्विरचिता⁶⁵ दृष्टा मया दीर्घिकाः।
नित्यं पुष्पफलाढ्यपादपयुता देशाश्च दृष्टा मया
सर्वं दृष्टमिदं हि रावणगृहे सीता न दृष्टा⁶⁶ मया॥६॥

कोनुखल्वेतस्मिन् प्रदेशे सप्रभ इव दृश्यते! तत्र तावदवलोकयामि। (तथा कृत्वा) अये कानुस्वल्वियम्!

राक्षसीभिः परिवृता विकृताभिः सुमध्यमा।
नीलजीमूतमध्यस्था विद्युल्लेखेव शोभते॥७॥

यैषा,

असितभुजगकल्पां धारयन्त्येकवेणीं
करपरिमितमध्या कान्तसंसक्तचित्ता।
अनशनकृशदेहा वाष्पसंसिक्तवक्त्रा
सरसिजवनमालेवातपे विप्रविद्धा॥८॥

अये कथं दीपिकावलोकः!(विलोक्य) अये रावणः!

मणिविरचितमौलिश्चारुताम्रायताक्षो
मदसललितगामी⁶⁷ मत्तमातङ्गलीलः।
युवतिजननिकाये⁶⁸भात्यसौ राक्षसेशो
हरिरिव हरिणीनामन्तरे चेष्टमानः॥९॥

किमिदानीं करिष्ये! भवतु, दृष्टम्। एनमशोकपादपमारुह्यकोटरान्तरितो भूत्वा दृढं वृत्तान्तं ज्ञास्यामि। (तथा करोति) (ततः प्रविशति रावणः सपरिवारः)

** रावणः—**

दिव्यास्त्रैः सुरदैत्यदानवचमूविद्रावणं रावणं
युद्धे क्रुद्धसुरेभदन्तकुलिशव्यालीढवक्षस्स्थलम्⁶⁹।
सीता मामविवेकिनी न रमते सक्ता च मुग्धेक्षणा
क्षुद्रे क्षत्रियतापसे ध्रुवमहो देवस्य विघ्नक्रिया॥१०॥

(ऊर्ध्वमवलोक्य) एष एष चन्द्रमाः,

रजतरचितदर्पणप्रकाशः करनिकरैर्हृदयं ममाभिपीड्य।
उदयति गगने विजृम्भमाणः कुमुदवनप्रियबान्धवः शशाङ्कः॥११॥

(परिक्रम्य) एषा सीता पादपमूलमाश्रित्य ध्यानसंवीतहृदयानशनक्षामवदना स्वदेहमिव प्रवेष्टुकामा सङ्गूढस्तनोदरी दुर्दिनान्तर्गता चन्द्रलेखेव राक्षसीगणपरिवृतोपविष्टा। यैषा,

अपास्य भोगान् मां चैव श्रियं च महतीमिमाम्।
मानुषे न्यस्तहृदया नैव वश्यत्वमागता॥१२॥

** हनूमान्—**हन्त सुविज्ञातम्।

इयं सा राजतनया पत्नी रामस्य मैथिली।
सिंहदर्शनवित्रस्ता मृगीव परितप्यते॥१३॥

** रावणः—**(उपेत्य)

सीते! त्यज त्वं व्रतमुग्रचर्यं भजस्व मां भामिनि! सर्वगात्रै।
अपास्य तं मानुषमद्य भद्रे! गतायुषं कामपथान्निवृत्तम्॥१४॥

** सीता—**हस्सो खु रावणओ⁷⁰”), जो वअणगदसिद्धिं वि ण जाणादि⁷¹.")। \हास्यः [खलु रावणकः⁷⁰”), यो वचनगतसिद्धिमपि न जानाति⁷¹.")।]

** हनूमान्—**(सक्रोधम्) अहो रावणाख्यावलेपः!

तौ च बाहू न विज्ञाय तच्चापि सुमहद् धनुः।
सायकं चापि रामस्य गतायुरिति भाषते॥१५॥

न शक्नोमि रोषं धारयितुम्। भवतु, अहमेवार्यरामस्य कार्यं साधयामि। अथवा,

यद्यहं रावणं हन्मि कार्यसिद्धिर्भविष्यति।
यदि मां प्रहरेद् रक्षो महत् कार्यं विपद्यते॥१६॥

रावणः—

वरतनु! तनुगात्रि! कान्तनेत्रे!
कुवलयदामनिभां विमुच्य वेणीम्।
बहुविधमणिरत्नभूषिताङ्गं
दशशिरसं मनसा भजस्व देवि!॥१७॥

** सीता**

—.

हं विपरिओ खु धम्मो, जं जीवदिखु अअं पापरक्खसो। [हं, विपरीतः खलु धर्मः, यद् जीवति खल्वयं पापराक्षसः।]

** रावणः**

—

ननु देवि!

** मीता**

—

सत्तो सि। [शप्तोऽसि।]

** रावणः**

—

हहह, अहो पतिव्रतायास्तेजः!

देवाः सेन्द्रादयो भग्ना दानवाश्च मया रणे।
सोऽहं मोहं गतोऽस्म्यद्य सीतायास्त्रिभिरक्षरैः॥१८॥

(नेपथ्ये) जयतु देवः।⁷² जयतु लङ्केश्वरः। जयतु स्वामी। जयतु महाराजः। दश नाडिकाः पूर्णाः। अतिक्रामति⁷³ स्नानवेला। इत इतो महाराजः।

(निष्क्रान्तः सपरिवारो रावणः)

** हनूमान्—** हन्त निर्गतो रावणः, सुप्ताश्च राक्षसस्त्रियः। अयं कालो देवीमुपसर्पितुम्। (कोटरादवरुह्य) जयत्वविधवा!

प्रेषितोऽहं नरेन्द्रेण रामेण विदितात्मना।
त्वद्गतस्नेहसन्ता⁷⁴पविक्लवीकृतचेतसा॥१९॥

** सीता**

—

(आत्मगतम्) कोणुखु अअं, पापरक्खसो अय्यउत्तकरओ त्ति अत्तानं ववदिसिअ वाणररुवेण मं वञ्चिदुकामो० भवे। भोदु, तुह्णिआ भविस्सं। [कोनु खल्वयं, पापराक्षस आर्यपुत्रसंबन्धीत्यात्मानं व्यपदिश्य वानररूपेण मां वञ्चयितुकामो भवेत्। भवतु, तूष्णीका भविष्यामि।]

** हनूमान्—** कथं न प्रत्येति⁷⁵ भवती? अलमन्यशङ्कया। श्रोतुमर्हति भवती।

इक्ष्वाकुकुलदीपेन सन्धाय हरिणात्वहम्⁷⁶।
प्रेषितस्त्वद्विचित्यर्थंहनूमान् नाम वानरः॥२०॥

** सीता—** (आत्मगतम्) जो वा को वा भोदु। अध्यउत्तणामसंकित्तणेण अहं एदेणअभिभासिस्सं। (प्रकाशम्) भद्द! को वुत्तन्तो अय्यउत्तस्स? [यो वा को वा भवतु। आर्यपुत्रसंकीर्तनेनाहमेतेनाभिभाषिष्ये। (प्रकाशम्) भद्र! को वृत्तान्त आर्यपुत्रस्य?]

** हनुमान्—** भवति श्रूयताम्,

अनशनपरितप्तं पाण्डु स⁷⁷क्षामवक्त्रं
तव वरगुणचिन्तावीतलावण्यलीलम्।
वहतिविगतधैर्यं हीयमानं शरीरं
मनसिजशरदग्धं वाष्पपर्याकुलाक्षम् ॥२१॥

** सीता—** (आत्मगतम्⁷⁸”)) हद्धि! वीलिआ⁷⁹ खु म्हि मन्दभाआ एवं सोअन्तं अय्यउत्त सुणिअ। अय्यउत्तस्स विरहपरिस्समो वि मे सफलो संवृत्तो⁸⁰त्ति पेक्स्वामि, जदि खु अअं वाणरो सच्चं मन्तेदि। अय्यउत्तस्स इमस्सिं जणे अणुक्कोसं परिस्समं च सुणिअ सहस्स दुक्खस्स अ अन्तरे डोलाअदि विअ मे हिअअं। (प्रकाशम्) भद्द! कहं तुम्हेहि अय्यउत्तस्स सङ्गमो जादो? \हा [धिग्! व्रीडित।⁷⁹ खल्वस्मि मन्दभागा एवं शोचन्तमार्यपुत्रं श्रुत्वा। आर्यपुत्रस्य विरहपरिश्रमोऽषि मे सफलःसंवृत्त⁸⁰इति पश्यामि, यदि खल्वयं वानरः सत्यं मन्त्रयते। आर्यपुत्रस्यास्मिन् जनेऽनुक्रोशं परिश्रमं च श्रुत्वा सुखस्य दुःखस्य चान्तरे दोलायत इव मे हृदयम्। (प्रकाशम्) भद्र! कथं युष्मामिरार्यपुत्रसंगमो जातः?]

** हनूमान्—** भवति, श्रूयताम्,

हत्वा वालिनमाहवें कपिवरं त्वत्कारणादग्रजं⁸¹
सुग्रीवस्य कृतं नरेन्द्रतनये! राज्यं हरीणां ततः।
राज्ञा त्वद्विचयाय चापि हरयः सर्वा दिशः प्रेषिता
स्तेषामस्म्यहमद्य गृध्रवचनात् त्वां देवि! सम्प्राप्तवान्॥२२॥

अपि च,…. ईदृशमिव।

** सीता—**अहो अअरुणा क्खु इस्सरा एव्वं सोअन्तं अय्यउत्तं करअन्तो! [अहो अकरुणाः खल्वीश्वरा एवं शोचन्तमार्यपुत्रं कुर्वन्तः!]

** हनूमान्—**भवति! मा विषादेन। रामो हि,

प्रगृहीतमहाचापो वृतो वानरसेनया।
समुद्धर्तुंदशग्रीवं लङ्कामेवाभियास्यति॥२३॥

** सीता—**किण्णुखु सिविणो मए दिठ्ठो। भद्द⁸²! अवि सच्चं? ण आणामि। [किन्नुखलु स्वप्नो मया दृष्टः! भद्र! अपि सत्यम्? न जानामि।]

** हनूमान्—**(स्वगृतम् ) भोः! कष्टम्।

एवं गाढं परिज्ञाय भर्तारं भर्तृवत्सला।
न प्रत्यायति शोकार्ता यथा देहान्तरं गता॥२४॥

(प्रकाशम्) भवति! अयमिदानीं,

समुदितवरचापबाणपाणिं पतिमिह राजसुते! तवानयामि।
भव हि⁸³विगतसंशया मयि त्वं नरवरपार्श्वगता विनीतशोका॥२५॥

** सीता—**भद्द! एदं मे अवत्थं सुणिअ अय्यउत्तो जह सोअपरवसो ण होइ, तह मे उत्तन्तं भणेहि। [भद्र! एतां मेऽवस्थां श्रुत्वार्यपुत्रो यथाशोकपरवशो न भवति, तथा मे वृत्तान्तं भण।]

** हनूमान्—**यदाज्ञापयति भवती।

** सीता—**गच्छ, कय्यसिद्धी होदु। [गच्छ कार्यसिद्धिर्भवतु।]

** हनूमान्—**अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि। (परिक्रम्य) कथमिदानीं ममागमनं रावणाय निवेदयामि। भवतु, दृष्टम्।

परभृतगणजुष्टं पद्मषण्डाभिरामं
सुरुचिरतरुषण्डं तोयदाभं त्रिकूटम्।
करचरणविमदैः काननं चूर्णयित्वा
विगतविषयदर्पं राक्षसेशं करोमि॥२६॥(निष्क्रान्तौ)

द्वितीयोऽङ्कः

–––––––––––––––––

अथ तृतीयोऽङ्कः

(ततः प्रविशति शङ्कुकर्णः)

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**क इह भोः! काञ्चनतोरणद्वारमशून्यं कुरुते?

(प्रविश्य) **प्रतिहारी—**अय्य! अहं विअआ। किं करीअदु? [आर्य! अहं विजया। किं क्रियताम्?]

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**विजये! निवेद्यतां निवेद्यतां महाराजाय लङ्केश्वराय—‘भग्नप्रायाशोकवनिके’ति। कुतः,

यस्यां न प्रियमण्डनापि महिषी देवस्य मण्डोदरी
स्नेहाल्लुम्पति पल्लवान्न च पुनर्वीजन्ति यस्यां भयात्।
वीजन्तो मलयानिला अपि करैरस्पृष्टवालद्रुमा
सेयं शक्ररिपोरशोकवनिका भग्नेति विज्ञाप्यताम्॥१॥

** प्रतिहारी—**अय्य! णिच्चं भट्टिपादमूले वत्तमाणस्स जणस्स अदिठ्ठपुरुवो अअंसम्भमो। किं एदं? [आर्य! नित्यं भर्तृपादमूले वर्तमानस्य जनस्यादृष्टपूर्वोऽयं संभ्रमः। किमेतद्?]

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**भवति! अतिपाति कार्यमिदम्।शीघ्रं निवेद्यतां निवेद्यताम्।

** प्रतिहारी—**अय्य! इयं णिवेदेमि। [आर्य! इयं निवेदयामि।]
(निष्क्रान्ता)

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**(पुरतो विलोक्य) अये अयं महाराजो लङ्केश्वर इत एवाभिवर्तते। य एष,

अमलकमलसन्निभोग्रनेत्रः
कनकमयोज्ज्वलदीपिकापुरोगः।
त्वरितमभिपतत्यसौ सरोषो
युगपरिणामसमुद्यतो यथार्कः॥२॥

(ततः प्रविशति यथानिर्दिष्टो रावणः )

** रावणः—**

कथं कथं भो नववाक्यवादिन्
शृणोमि शीघ्रं वद केन चाद्य।
मुमूर्षुणा भुक्तभयेन धृष्टो
वनाभिमर्दात् परिधर्षितोऽहम्?॥३॥

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**(उपसृत्य) जयतु महाराजः! आवेदितागमनेन केनचिद् वानरेण ससंरम्भमभिमृदिताशोकवनिका।

** रावणः—**(सावशम्) कथं वानरेणेति? गच्छ, शीघ्रं निगृह्यानय।

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। (निष्क्रान्तः)

** रावणः—**भवतु भवतु।

युधि जगत्त्रयभीतिकृतोऽपि मे यदि कृतं त्रिदशैरिदमप्रियम्।
अनुभवन्त्वचिरादमृताशिनः फलमतो निजाशाठ्यसमुद्भवम्॥४॥

(प्रविश्य)

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**जयतु महाराजः। महाराज! महाबलः खलु स वानरः। तेन खलु मृणालवदुत्पाटिताः सालवृक्षाः, मुष्टिना भग्नो दारुपर्वतकः, पाणितलाभ्यामभिमृदितानि लतागृहाणि, नादेनैव विसंज्ञीकृताः प्रमदवनपालाः। तस्य ग्रहणसमर्थं बलमाज्ञापयितुमर्हति महाराजः।

** रावणः—**तेन हि किङ्कराणां⁸⁴ सहस्रं बलमाज्ञापय वानरग्रहणाय!

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। (निष्क्रम्य, प्रविश्य) जयतु महाराजः!

अस्मदीयैर्महावृक्षैरस्मदीया महाबलाः।
क्षिप्रमेव हतास्तेन किङ्करा द्रुमयोधिना॥५॥

** रावणः—**कथं हता इति? तेन हि कुमारमक्षमाज्ञापय वानरग्रहणाय।

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।

** रावणः—**(विचिन्त्य)

कुमारो हि कृतास्त्रश्च शूरश्च बलवानपि।
प्रसह्य चापि गृह्णीयाद्धन्याद्वा तं वनौकसम्॥६॥

(प्रविश्य)

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**अनन्तरीयं⁸⁵ बलमाज्ञापयितुमर्हति महाराजः।

** रावणः—**किमर्थम्?

**शङ्कुकर्णः—**श्रोतुमर्हति महाराजः। कुमारं वानरमभिगच्छन्तं दृष्ट्वा महाराजेनानाज्ञापिता अप्यनुगताः पञ्चसेनापतयः।

** रावणः—**ततस्ततः?

** शङङ्कुकर्णः—**ततस्तानभिद्रुतान् दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिद् भीता इव तोरणमाश्रित्य काञ्चनपरिघमुद्यम्य निपातितास्तेन हरिणा पञ्च सेनापतयः।

** रावणः—**ततस्ततः?

** शङ्कुकर्णः**—ततः कुमारमक्षं

क्रोधात्⁸⁶ संरक्तनेत्रं त्वरिततरहयं स्यन्दनं वाहयन्तं
प्रावृटकालाभ्रकल्पं परमलघुतरं वाणनालान् वमन्तम्।
तान् वाणान् निर्विधून्वन् कपिरपि सहसा तद्रथं लङ्घयित्वा
कण्ठे संगृह्य धृष्टं मुदिततरमुखो मुष्ठिना निर्जघान॥७॥

** रावणः**—(सरोष⁸⁷ तिष्ठ…..")म्) आः, कथं कथं निर्जघानेति?

तिष्ठ त्वमहमेवैनमासाद्य कपिजन्तुकम्⁸⁸।
एष भस्मीकरोम्यस्मत्क्रोधानलकणैः क्षणात्॥८॥

** शङ्कुकर्णः**—प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः! कुमारमक्षं निहतं श्रुत्वा क्रोधाविष्टहृदयः कुमारेन्द्रजिद⁸⁹भिगतवांस्तं वनौकसम्।

** रावणः**—तेन हि गच्छ। भूयोज्ञायतां वृत्तान्तः।

** शङ्कुकर्णः**—यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।

** रावणः**—कुमारो हि कृतास्त्रश्च,
(निष्क्रान्तः)

अ

वश्यं युधि वीराणां वधो वा विजयोऽथवा।
तथापि क्षुद्रकर्मेदं मह्यमीषन्मनोज्वरः⁹⁰॥९॥

(प्रविश्य) शङ्कुकर्णः— जयतु महाराजः। जयतु लङ्केश्वरः। जयतु भद्रमुखः।

संवृत्तं तुमुलं युद्धं कुमारस्य च तस्य च।
ततः स वानरः शीघ्रं वद्धः पाशेन साम्प्रतम्॥१०॥

** रावणः—**कोऽत्र विस्मय इन्द्रजिता शाखामृगो बद्ध इति? कोऽत्र भोः!

(प्रविश्य) **राक्षसः—**जयतु महाराजः।

** रावणः—**गच्छ, विभीषणस्तावदाहूयताम्।

** राक्षसः—**यदज्ञापयति महाराजः।

    (निष्क्रान्तः)

** रावणः—**त्वमपि तावद् वानरमानय।

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।
(निष्क्रान्तः)

** रावणः—**(विचिन्त्य) भोः ! कष्टम्।

अचिन्त्या मनसा लङ्का सहितैः सुरदानवैः।
अभिभूय दशग्रीवं प्रविष्टः किल वानरः॥११॥

अपि च,

जित्वा त्रैलोक्यमाजौ ससुरदनुसुतं यन्मया गर्वितेन।
क्रान्त्वा कैलासमीशं स्वगणपरिवृतं साकमाकम्प्य देव्या।
लब्ध्वा तरमात्प्रसादं पुनरगसुतया नन्दिनानादृतत्वाद्
दत्तं शप्तं च ताभ्यां यदि कपिविकृतिच्छद्मना तन्मम स्यात्॥१२॥

(ततः प्रविशति विभीषणः)

** विभीषणः—**(सुविमर्शम् ) अहोतुखलु महाराजस्य⁹¹ अहो महाराजस्य …”) विपरीता खलु बुद्धिः संवृत्ता! कुतः

मयोक्तो मैथिली तस्मै बहुशो दीयतामिति।
न मे शृणोति वचनं⁹² सुहृदां शोककारणात्॥१३॥

(उपेत्य) जयतु महाराजः।

** रावणः—**विभीषण! एह्येहि। उपविश।

** विभीषणः—**एष एष उपविशामि।
(उपविशति)

** रावणः—**विभीषण! निर्बिण्णमिव त्वां लक्षये।

** विभीषणः—**निर्वेद एव खल्वनुक्तग्राहिणं स्वामिनमुपाश्रितस्य भृत्यजनस्य।

** रावणः—**छिद्यतामेषा कथा।त्वमपि तावद् वानरमानय।

** विभीषणः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।
(निष्क्रान्तः)

(ततः प्रविशति राक्षसैर्गृहीतो हनूमान्)

** सर्वे—**आः! इत इतः।

** हनूमान्—**

नैवाहं धर्षितस्तेन नैर्ऋतेन दुरात्मना।
स्वयं ग्रहणमापन्नो राक्षसेशदिदृक्षया॥१४॥

(उपगम्य) भो राजन्! अपि कुशली भवान्?

** रावणः—**(सावज्ञम्) विभीषण! किमस्य तत् कर्म?

** विभीषणः—**महाराज! अतोऽप्यधिकम्⁹³।

** रावणः—**कथं त्वमवगच्छसि⁹⁴?

** विभीषणः—**प्रष्टुमर्हति महाराजः कस्त्वमिति।

** रावणः—**भो वानर! कस्त्वम्? केन कारणेन धर्षितोऽस्माकमन्तःपुरं प्रविष्टः?

** हनूमान्—**भोः! श्रूयताम्;

अञ्जनायां समुत्पन्नो मारुतस्यैरसः सुतः।
प्रेषितो राघवेणाहं हनूमान् नाम वानरः॥१५॥

** विभीषणः—**महाराज! किं श्रुतम्?

** रावणः—**किं श्रुतेन?

** विभीषणः—**हनूमन्! किमाह तत्रभवान् राघवः?

** हनूमान्—**भोः! श्रूयतां रामशासनम्।

** रावणः—**कथं कथं रामशासनमित्याह? आः हन्यतामयं वानरः।

** विभीषणः—**प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः। सर्वापराधेष्ववध्याः खलु दूताः। अथवा रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा पश्चाद् यथेष्टं कर्तुमर्हति महाराजः।

** रावणः—**भो वानर! किमाह स मानुषः?

** हनूमान्—**श्रयतां,

‘वरशरणमुपेहि शङ्करं वा
प्रविश च दुर्गतमं रसातलं वा।
शरवरपरिभिन्नसर्वगात्रं
यमसदनं प्रतियापयाम्यहं त्वाम्॥१६॥’इति।

** रावणः—**ह ह ह!

दिव्यास्त्रैस्त्रिदशगणा मयाभिभूता
दैत्येन्द्रां मम वशवर्तिनः समस्ताः।
पौलस्त्योऽप्यपहृतपुष्पकोऽवसन्नो
भो! रामः कथमभियाति मानुषो माम्॥१७॥

** हनूमान्—**एवंविधेन भवता किमर्थं प्रच्छन्नं तस्य दारापहरणं कृतम्?

** विभीषणः—**सम्यगाह हनूमान्।

अपास्य मायया रामं त्वया राक्षसपुङ्गव।
भिक्षुवेषं समास्थायच्छलेनापहृता हि सा॥१८॥

** रावणः—**विभीषण! किं विपक्षपक्षमवलम्बसे⁹⁵?

** विभीषणः—**

प्रसीद राजन्! वचनं हितं मे
प्रदीयतां राघवधर्मपत्नी।
इदं कुलं राक्षसपुङ्गवेन
त्वया हि नेच्छामि विपद्यमानम्॥१९॥

** रावणः—**

विभीषण! अलमलं भयेन।

कथं लम्बसटः सिंहो मृगेण विनिपात्यते।
गजो वा सुमहान् मत्तः शृगालेन निहन्यते॥२०॥

** हनूमान्—**भो रावण! विपद्यमानभाग्येन भवता⁹⁶ किं युक्तं राघवमेवं वक्तुम्? मा तावद् भोः!

नक्तञ्चरापसद! रावण! राघवं तं
वीराग्रगण्यमतुलं त्रिदशेन्द्रकल्पम्।
प्रक्षीणपुण्य! भवता भुवनैकनाथ
वक्तुं किमेवमुचितं गतसार! नीचैः॥२१॥

** रावणः—**कथं कथं नामामिधत्ते? हन्यतामयं वानरः। अथवा दूतवधः खलु वचनीयः। शङ्कुकर्ण! लङ्गूलमादीप्य विसृज्यतामयं वानरः।

** शङ्कुकर्णः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। इत इतः।

** रावणः—**अथवा एहि तावत्।

** हनूमान्—**अयमस्मि।

** रावणः—**अभिधीयतां मद्वचनात् समानुषः⁹⁷।

अभिभूतो मया राम! दारापहरणादसि।
यदि तेऽस्ति धनुःश्लाघा दीयतां मे रणो महान्॥२२॥

** हनूमान्—**अचिराद् द्रक्ष्यसि,

अभिहतवरवप्रगोपुराट्टां
रघुवरकार्मुकनादनिर्जितस्त्वम्।
हरिगणपरिपीडितैः समन्तात्
प्रमदवनैरभिसंवृतां खलङ्काम्॥२३॥

** रावणः—**निर्वस्यतामयं वानरः।

** राक्षसः—**इत इतः। (रक्षोभिः सह निष्क्रान्तो⁹⁸”) हनूमान्)

** विभीषणः—** प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु⁹⁹ महाराजः। अस्ति काचिद् विवक्षा महाराजस्यहितमन्तरेण।

** रावणः—**उच्यतां तच्छ्रेयो वयमपि श्रोतारः।

** विभीषणः—**सर्वथा राक्षसकुलस्य विनाशोऽभ्यागत इति मन्ये।

** रावणः—** केन कारणेन?

** विभीषणः—**महाराजस्य विप्रतिपत्त्या।

** रावणः—** का मे विप्रतिपत्तिः?

** विभीषणः—**ननु सीतापहरणमेव।

** रावणः—**सीतापहरणेन को दोषः स्यात्?

** विभीषणः—**अधर्मश्च।

** रावणः—**चशब्देन सावशेषमिव ते वचनम्। तद्ब्रूहि।

** विभीषणः—**तदेव ननु।

** रावणः—**विभीषण! किं गूहसे? मम खलु प्राणैः शापितः स्याः, यदि सत्यं न ब्रूयाः।

** विभीषणः—**अभयं दातुमर्हति महाराजः।

** रावणः—**दत्तमभयम्। उच्यताम्।

** विभीषणः—**बलवद्विग्रहश्च।

** रावणः—**(सावज्ञम्) कथं कथं बलवद्विग्रहो नाम?

शत्रुपक्षमुपाश्रित्य मामयं राक्षसाधमः।
क्रोधमाहारयंस्तीव्र¹⁰⁰मभीरुरभिभाषते¹⁰¹॥२४॥

कोऽत्र?

ममानवेक्ष्य सौभ्रात्रं शत्रुपक्षमुपाश्रितम्।
नोत्सहे पुरतो द्रष्टुं तस्मादेष निरस्यताम् ॥२५ ॥

** विभीषणः—**प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः।अहमेव यास्यामि।

शासितोऽहं त्वया राजन्!
प्रयामि न च दोषवान्।
त्यक्त्वा रोषं च कामं च
यथा कार्यं तथा कुरु॥२६॥

(परिक्रम्य) अयमिदानीम्—

अद्येव तं कमललोचनमुग्रचापं
रामं हि रावणवधाय कृतप्रतिज्ञम्।
संश्रित्य संश्रितहितप्रथितं नृदेवं
नष्टंनिशाचरकुलं पुनरुद्धरिष्ये॥२७ ॥

(निष्क्रान्तः)

** रावणः—**हन्त, निर्गतो विभीषणः। यावदहमपि नगररक्षां सम्पादयामि।

(निष्क्रान्तः)¹⁰²”)

तृतीयोऽङ्कः

_____________

अथ चतुर्थोऽङ्कः

(ततः प्रविशति वानरकाञ्चुकीयः¹⁰³”))

** काञ्चुकीयः—**भो भो बलाध्यक्ष! सन्नाहमाज्ञापय वानरवाहिनीम्।

(प्रविश्य) **बलाध्यक्षः—**आर्य! किंकृतोऽयं समुद्योगः?

** काञ्चुकीयः—**तत्रभवता हनूमतानीतः खल्वार्यरामस्य देव्याः सीताया वृत्तान्तः।

** बलाध्यक्षः—**किमिति किमिति?

** काञ्चुकीयः—**श्रूयतां,

लङ्कायां किल वर्तते नृपसुता शोकाभिभूता भृशं
पौलस्त्येन विहाय धर्मसमयं संक्लेश्यमाना ततः।
श्रत्वैतद् भृशंशोकतप्तमनसो रामस्य कार्यार्थिना
राज्ञावानरवाहिनी प्रतिभया सन्नाहमाज्ञापिता॥१॥

** बलाध्यक्षः—**एवम्। यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।

** काञ्चुकीयः—**यावदहमपि सन्नद्धा वानरवाहिनीति महाराजाय¹⁰⁴ निवेदयामि।

(निष्क्रान्तौ)

विष्कम्भकः

(ततः प्रविशति रामोलक्ष्मणः सुग्रीवो हनुमांश्¹⁰⁵")च)

** रामः—**

आक्रान्ताः पृथुसानुकुञ्जगहना मेघोपमाः पर्वताः
सिंहव्याघ्रगजेन्द्रपीतसलिला नद्यश्च तीर्णा मया।
क्रान्तं पुष्पफलाढ्यपादपयुतं चित्रं महत् काननं
सम्प्राप्तोऽस्मि कपीन्द्रसैन्यसहितो वेलातटं साम्प्रतम्॥२॥

** लक्ष्मणः—**एष एष भगवान् वरुणः,

सजलजलधरेन्द्रनीलनीरो विलुलितफेनतरङ्गचारुहारः¹⁰⁶।
समधिगतनदीसहस्रबाहुर्हरिरिव भाति सरित्पतिः शयानः॥३॥

** रामः—**कथं कथं भोः!

रिपुमुद्धर्तुमुद्यन्तं मामयं सक्तसायकम्।
सजीवमद्य तं कर्तुं निवारयति सागरः॥४॥

** सुग्रीवः—** अये! वियति

सजलजलदसन्निभप्रकाशः
कनकमया¹⁰⁷मलभूषणोज्ज्वलाङ्गः।
अभिपतति कुतो नु राक्षसोऽसौ
शलभ इवाशु हुताशनं प्रवेष्टुम्॥५॥

** हनूमान्—** भो भोवानरवीराः! अप्रमत्ता भवन्तु भवन्तः।

शैलैर्दुमैः सम्प्रति मुष्टिबन्धैर्दन्तैर्नखैर्जानुभिरुग्रनादैः।
रक्षोवधार्थं युधि वानरेन्द्रास्तिष्ठन्तु रक्षन्तु च नो नरेन्द्रम्॥६॥

** रामः—**राक्षस इति? हनूमन्! अलमलं सम्भ्रमेण।

** हनूमान्—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः।

(ततः प्रविशति विभीषणः)

**विभीषणः—**भोः! प्राप्तोऽस्मि राघवस्य शिबिरसन्निवेशम्। (विचिन्त्य) अकृतदूतसम्प्रेषणमविदितागमनममित्रसम्बन्धिनं कथंनुखलु मामवगच्छेत् तत्रभवान् राघवः! कुतः¹⁰⁸,

क्रुद्धस्य यस्य पुरतः

सहितोऽप्यशक्तः
स्थातुं सुरैः सुररिपोर्युधि वज्रपाणिः।
तस्यानुजं रघुपतिः शरणागतं मां

किं वक्ष्यतीति हृदयं परिशङ्कितं मे॥७॥

अथवा,

दृष्टधर्मार्थतत्त्वोऽयं साधुः संश्रितवत्सलः।
शङ्कनीयः कथं रामो विशुद्धमनसा मया॥८॥

(अधोऽवलोक्य) इदं रघुकुलवृषभस्य स्कन्धावारम्। यावदवतरामि (अवतीर्य¹⁰⁹”)) हन्त! इह स्थित्वा ममागमनं देवाय निवेदयामि।

** हनूमान्—**(ऊर्ध्वमवलोक्य) अये, कथं तत्रभवान् विभीषणः!

** विभीषणः—**अये, हनूमान्! हनूमन्! ममागमनं देवाय निवेदय।

** हनूमान्—** बाढम्। (उपगम्य) जयतु जयतु देवः!

राजंस्त्वत्कारणादेव भ्रात्रा निर्विषयीकृतः।
विभीषणोऽयं धर्मात्मा शरणार्थमुपागतः॥९॥

** रामः—**कथं विभीषणः शरणागत इति? वत्स लक्ष्मण! गच्छ, सत्कृत्य प्रवेश्यतां विभीषणः।

** लक्ष्मणः—**यदाज्ञापयत्यार्यः।

** रामः—**सुग्रीव, वक्तुकाममिव त्वां लक्षये।

** सुग्रीवः—**देव! बहुमायाश्छलयोधिनश्च राक्षसाः। तस्मात् सम्प्रधार्य प्रवेश्यतां विभीषणः।

** हनूमान्—**महाराज! मा मैवं,

देवे यथा वयं भक्तास्तथा मन्ये विभीषणम्।
भ्रात्रा विवदमानोऽपि दृष्टः पूर्वं पुरे मया॥१०॥

** रामः—**यद्येवं, गच्छ¹¹⁰, सत्कृत्य प्रवेश्यतां विभीषणः।

** लक्ष्मणः—**यदाज्ञापयत्यार्यः।(परिक्रम्य)¹¹¹.”) अये विभीषणः¹¹²! विभीषण! अपि कुशली भवान्?

** विभीषणः—**अये कुमारो¹¹³ लक्ष्मणः! कुमार! अद्य कुशली संवृत्तोऽस्मि।

** लक्ष्मणः—**विभीषण! उपसर्पावस्तावदार्यम्।

** विभीषणः—**बाढम्।

** लक्ष्मणः—**जयत्वार्यः!

** विभीषणः—**प्रसीदतु देवः! जयतु देवः!

** रामः—**अये विभीषणः! विभीषण! अपि कुशली भवान्?

** विभीषणः—**देव! अद्य कुशली संवृत्तोऽस्मि।

भवन्तं पद्मपत्राक्षं शरण्यं शरणागतः।
अद्यास्मि कुशली राजंस्त्वद्दर्शनविकल्मषः॥११॥

** रामः—**अद्यप्रभृति मद्वचनाल्लङ्केश्वरो भव।

** विभीषणः—**अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि।

** रामः—**विभीषण! त्वदागमनादेव सिद्धमस्मत्कार्यम्? सागरतरणे खलूपायो नाधिगम्यते।

** विभीषणः—**देव! किमत्रावगन्तव्यम्?।यदि मार्गं न ददाति, समुद्रे दिव्यमस्त्रं तावद् विस्रष्टुमर्हति देवः।

** रामः—**साधु, विभीषण! साधु। भवतु, एवं तावत् करिष्ये। (सहसोऽत्तिष्टन् सरोषम्)

मम शरपरिदग्धतोयपङ्कं
हतशतमत्स्यविकीर्णभूमिभागम्।
यदि मम न ददाति मार्गमेनं
प्रतिहतवीचिरवं करोमि शीघ्रम्॥१२॥

(ततः प्रविशति वरुणः)

** वरुणः—**(ससम्भ्रमम्)

नारायणस्य नररूपमुपाश्रितस्य
कार्यार्थमभ्युपगतस्य कृतापराधः।
देवस्य देवरिपुदेहहरात् प्रतूर्णं
भीतः शराच्छरणमेनमुपाश्रयामि॥१३॥

(विलोक्य) अये, अयं भगवान्!

मानुषं रूपमास्थाय चक्रशार्ङ्गगदाधरः।
स्वयं कारणभूतः सन् कार्यार्थी समुपागतः॥१४॥

नमो भगवते त्रैलोक्यकारणाय नारायणाय।

** लक्ष्मणः—**(विलोक्य) अये, को नुखत्वेषः!

मणिविरचितमौलिश्चारुताम्रायताक्षो
नवकुवलयनीलो मत्तमातङ्गलीलः।
सलिलनिचयमध्यादुत्थितस्त्वेष शीघ्रम्
अवनतमिव कुर्वंस्तेजसा जीवलोकम्॥१५॥

** विभीषणः—**देव! अयं खलु भगवान् वरुणः प्राप्तः।

** रामः—**किं वरुणोऽयम्? भगवन्! वरुण! नमस्ते।

** वरुणः—**न मे नमस्कारं कर्तुमर्हति देवेशः। अथवा,

राजपुत्र! कुतः कोपो? रोषेण किमलं तव।
कर्तव्यं तावदस्माभिर्वद शीघ्रं नरोत्तम॥१६॥

** रामः—**लङ्कागमने मार्गं दातुमर्हति भवान्।

** वरुणः—**एष मार्गः। प्रयातु भवान्।
(अन्तर्हितः)

** रामः—**कथमन्तर्हितो भगवान् वरुणः! विभीषण! पश्य पश्य भगवत्प्रसादान्निष्कम्पवाचिमन्तं सलिलाधिपतिम्।

** विभीषणः—**देव! साम्प्रतं द्विधाभूत इव दृश्यते जलनिधिः।

** रामः—**क्व हनूमान्?

** हनूमान्—**जयतु देवः!

** रामः—**हनूमन्! गच्छाग्रतः।

** हनूमान्—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः।
(सर्वे परिक्रामन्ति)

** रामः—**(विलोक्य सविस्मयम्) वत्स लक्ष्मण! वयस्य विभीषण! महाराज सुग्रीव! सखे हनूमान्! पश्यन्तु पश्यन्तु भवन्तः। अहो विचित्रता सागरस्य! इह हि,

क्वचित् फेनोद्गारी क्वचिदपि च मीनाकुलजलः

क्वचिच्छङ्खाकीर्णः क्वचिदपि च नीलाम्बुदनिभः¹¹⁴।
क्वचिद् वीचीमालः क्वचिदपि च नक्रप्रतिभयः¹¹⁵
क्वचिद् भीमावर्तः क्वचिदपि च निष्कम्पसलिलः॥१७॥

भगवत्प्रसादादतीतः सागरः।

** हनूमान्—**देव! इयमियं लङ्का।

** रामः—**(चिरं विलोक्य) अहो राक्षसनगरस्य श्रीरचिराद्¹¹⁶ विपत्स्यते!

मम शरवरवातपातभग्ना
कपिवरसैन्यतरङ्गताडितान्ता।
उदधिजलगतेव नौर्विपन्ना
निपतति रावणकर्णधारदोषात्॥१८॥

सुग्रीव! अस्मिन् सुवेलपर्वते क्रियतां सेनानिवेशः।
(उपविशति)

** सुग्रीवः—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः¹¹⁷। नील! एवं क्रियताम्।

(प्रविश्य) **नीलः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। (निष्क्रम्य, प्रविश्य) जयतु देवः! क्रमान्निवेश्यमानासु सेनासुवृन्दपरिग्रहेषु परीक्ष्यमाणेषु पुस्तकप्रामाण्यात् कुतश्चिदप्यविज्ञायमानौ द्वौ वनौकसौ गृहीतौ। वयं न जानीमः कर्तव्यम्।देवस्तस्मात् प्रमाणम्।¹¹⁸

** रामः—**शीघ्रं प्रवेशयत्वेतौ।

** नीलः—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः।
(निष्क्रान्तः)

(ततः प्रविशतिनीलो वानरैर्गृह्यमाणो वानररूपधारिणी¹¹⁹ सम्पुटिकाहस्तौ शुक्रसारणौ च)

** वानराः—**अङ्धो भणथ।तुम्हे भणथ। [अङधोभणतं; कौयुवां भणतम्।]

** उभौ—**भट्टा! अह्मे अय्यकुमुदस्स सेवआ। [भर्तः!आवामार्यकुमुदस्य सेवकौ।]

**वानरः—**भट्टा! अय्यकुमुदस्स सेवअत्ति अत्ताणं अवदिसन्ति। [भर्तः! आर्यकुमुदस्य सेवकावित्यात्मानमपादेशतः।]

** विभीषणः—**(सावधानं शुकसारणौ विलोक्य)

स्वसैनिकौ न चाप्येतौ न चाप्येतौ वनौकसौ।
प्रेषितौ रावणेनैतौ राक्षसौ शुकसारणौ॥१९॥

** उभौ—**(आत्मगतम्) हन्त! कुमारेण विज्ञातौ स्वः। (प्रकाशम्) आर्य! आवां खलु राक्षसराजस्य विप्रतिपत्त्या विपद्यमानं राक्षसकुलं दृष्ट्वास्पदमलभमानौ आर्यसंश्रयार्थं वानररूपेण सम्प्राप्तौ।

** रामः—**वयस्य! विभीषण! कथमिव भवान्¹²⁰ मन्यते?

** विभीषणः—**देव!

एतौ हि राक्षसेन्द्रस्य सम्मतौ मन्त्रिणौ नृप!

प्राणान्तिकेऽपि व्यसने लङ्केशं नैव मुञ्चतः॥२०॥

तस्माद् यथार्हं दण्डमाज्ञापयतु देवः¹²¹।

** रामः—**विभीषण! मा मैवम्।

अनयोः शासनादेव न मे वृद्धिर्भविष्यति।
क्षयो वा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य तस्मादेतौ विमोचय ॥२१॥

** लक्ष्मणः—**यदि विमुञ्चेत्, सर्वस्कन्धावारं प्रविश्य, परीक्ष्य पुनर्मोक्षमाज्ञापयत्वार्यः।

** रामः—**सम्यगभिहितं लक्ष्मणेन। नील! एवं क्रियताम्।

** नीलः—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः।

** रामः—**अथवा एहि तावत्।

** उभौ—**इमौ स्वः।

** रामः—**अभिधीयतां मद्वचनात् म राक्षसेन्द्रः।

“मम दारापहारेण स्वयङ्ग्राहितविग्रहः।
आगतोऽहं न पश्यामि द्रष्टुकामो रणातिथिः॥२२॥ इति।

** उभौ—** यदाज्ञापयति देवः।

** रामः—**विभीषण! वयमपि तावदानन्तरीयं बलं¹²² परीक्षिष्यामहे।

** विभीषणः—**यदाज्ञापयति देवः।

** रामः—**(परिक्रम्य विलोक्य) अस्तमितो भवान् दिवाकरः। सम्प्रति¹²³ हि,

अस्ताद्रिमस्तकगतः प्रतिसंहृतांशुः
सन्ध्यानुरञ्जितवपुः प्रतिभाति सूर्यः।
रक्तोज्ज्वलांशुकवृते द्विरदस्य कुम्भे
जाम्बूनदेन रचितः पुलको यथैव॥२३॥

(निष्क्रान्ताः सर्वे)

चतुर्थोऽङ्कः

_________________

अथ पञ्चमोऽङ्कः

(ततः प्रविशति राक्षसकाञ्चुकीयः)

** राक्षसकाञ्चुकीयः**— क इह भोः! प्रवालतोरणद्वारमशून्यं कुरुते?

(प्रविश्यान्यो राक्षसः)

** राक्षसः**— आर्य! अयमस्मि। किं क्रियताम्?

** काञ्चुकीयः**— गच्छ, महाराजस्य शासनाद्¹²⁴ विद्युज्जिह्वस्तावदाहूयताम्।

** राक्षसः**— आर्य! तथा।(निष्क्रान्तः)

** काञ्चुकीयः**— अहोतुखलु विपद्यमानाभ्युदये राक्षसकुले¹²⁵ विपन्नसर्वसाधनस्य निहतवीरपुरुषस्य स्वयं च प्राणसंशयं प्राप्तस्येदानीमपि प्रसन्नत्वं नोपगच्छति महाराजस्य बुद्धिः। को हि नाम,

चलत्तरङ्गाहतभीमवेलमुदीर्णनक्राकुलनीलनीरम्।
समुद्रमाक्रान्तमवेक्ष्य तस्मै दारप्रदानान्न करोति शान्तिम्॥१॥

अपि, च

प्रहस्तप्रमुखा वीराः कुम्भकर्णपुरस्सराः।
निहता राघवेणाद्य शक्रजिच्चापि निर्गतः॥२॥

एवमपि गते,

मदनवशगतो¹²⁶ महानयार्थं सचिववचोऽप्यनवेक्ष्य वीरमानी।
रघुकुलवृषभस्य तस्य देवीं जनकसुतां न ददाति योद्धुकामः॥३॥

(प्रविश्य) विद्युज्जिह्वः— अपि सुखमार्यस्य?

** काञ्चुकीयः**— विद्युज्जिह्व! गच्छ, महाराजवचनाद्¹²⁷रामलक्ष्मणयोः शिरःप्रतिकृतिरानीयताम्।

** विद्युज्जिह्वः**— यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः।
(निष्क्रान्तः)

** काञ्चुकीयः**— यावदहमपि महाराजस्य प्रत्यन्तरीभविष्यामि। (निष्क्रान्तः)

विष्कम्भकः

(ततः प्रविशति राक्षसीगणपरिवृता सीता)

** सीता—**किण्णुहु अय्यउत्तम्स आगमणेण पहलादिअस्स हिअअस्स अज्ज आवेओ विअ संवृत्तो! अणिठ्ठ\।णि णिमित्ताणि अ दिस्सन्ति। एवं वि दाणि¹²⁸”) (अच्चाहिअं?) हिअअस्समहन्तो अब्भुदओ वढ्ढइ।सव्वहा इसरा सन्ति करन्तु। \किन्नुखल्वार्यपुत्रस्यागमनेन प्रह्लादितस्य हृदयस्याद्यावेग इव संवृत्तः! अनिष्टानि निमित्तानि च दृश्यन्ते। [एवमपीदानीं¹²⁸”) हृदयस्य महानभ्युदयो वर्धते। सर्वथेश्वराः शान्ति कुर्वन्तु।]

(ततः प्रविशति रावणः)

** रावणः—**मा तावद्,

एषा विहाय भवनं मम सम्प्रयाता
नारी नवामलजलोद्भवलग्नहस्ता।
लङ्का यदा हि समरे वशमागता मे
पौलस्त्यमाशु परिजित्य तदा गृहीता॥४॥

भवति ! तिष्ठ तिष्ठ। न खलु न खलु गन्तव्यम्। किं ब्रवीषि— उत्सृज्य त्वां राममुपगच्छमीति? आः अपध्वंस !

बलादेव गृहीतासि तदा वैश्रवणालये।
वलादेव ग्रहीष्ये¹²⁹ त्वां हत्वा राघवमाहवे॥५॥

किमनया ? यावदहमपि सीतां विलोभयिष्ये। (मदनावेशं निरूप्य) अहोतुखल्वतुलबलता कुसमधन्वनः ! कुतः,

निद्रां मे निशि विस्मरन्ति¹³⁰ नयनान्यालोक्य सीताननं
तत्संश्लेषसुखार्थिनी तनुतरा याता तनुः पाण्डुताम्।
सन्तापं रमणीयवस्तुविषये बध्नाति पुष्पेषुणा
कष्टंनिर्जितविष्टपत्रयभुजो निर्जीयते रावणः॥६॥

सीते! त्यज त्वमरविन्दपलाशनेत्रे¹³¹!
चित्तं हि मानुषगतं मम चित्तनाथे !
शस्त्रेण मेऽद्य समरे विनिपात्यमानं
प्रेक्षस्व लक्ष्मणयुतं तव चित्तकान्तम् ॥७॥

** सीता—** हंमूढो खु सि रावणओ, जो मन्दरं हत्थेण तुलयिदुकामो। हं मूढः खल्वसि रावणकः, यो मन्दरं हस्तेन तुलयितुकामः।]

(प्रविश्य) **राक्षसः¹³²—**जयतु महाराजः।

एते तयोर्मनुषयोः शिरसी राजपुत्रयोः।
युधि हत्वा कुमारेण गृहीते त्वत्प्रियार्थना॥८॥

** रावणः—** सीते! पश्य पश्य तयोर्मानुषयोः शिरसी।

** सीता—**हा अय्यउत्त! [हा आर्यपुत्र!]
(इति मूर्छिता पतति)

रावणः

—

सीते! भावं परित्यज्य मानुषेऽस्मिन् गतायुषि।
अद्यैव त्वं विशालाक्षि ! महतीं श्रियमाप्नुहि॥९॥

** सीता—** (प्रत्यभिज्ञाय) हा अय्यउत्त! परिमलणवकमलसण्णिहेवदणे परिवृत्तणअणे पेक्खन्ती अदिधीरा खु म्हि मन्दमाआ। हा अस्यउत्त! एदस्सि दुःखसाअरे मं विवि कहिं गदो सि? जाव ण मरामि। किंणुखु अलिअं एद भवे! भद्द! जेण असिणा अय्यउत्तस्स असदिसंकिदं, तेण मं वि मारेहि। [हा आर्यपुत्र! परिमलनवकमलसन्निभे वदने परिवृत्तनयने पश्यन्ती अतिधीरा खल्वस्मि मन्दभागा।हा आर्यपुत्र! एतस्मिन् दुःखसागरे मां निक्षिप्य कुत्र गतोऽसि? यावन्न म्रिये। किन्नुखल्वलीकमेतद् भवेत्! भद्र! येनासिनार्यपुत्रस्यासदृशं कृतं तेन मामपि मारय। ]

रावणः

—

व्यक्तमिन्द्रजिता युद्धे हते तस्मिन् नराधमे।
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा केन त्वं मोक्षयिष्यसे॥१०॥

(नेपथ्ये) रामेण रामेण।

** सीता—** चिरं जीव।

(प्रविश्य) राक्षसः— (ससम्भ्रमम्) रामेण रामेण।

** रावणः—** कथं कथं रामेणेति?

** राक्षसः—** प्रसीदतु प्रसीदतु महाराजः। अतिपातिवृत्तान्तनिवेदनत्वस्यावस्थान्तर नावेक्षितम्।

** रावणः—** ब्रूहि ब्रूहि। किं कृतं मनुजतापसेन?

** राक्षसः—**श्रोतुमर्हति महाराजः। तेन खलु,

उदीर्णसत्त्वेन महावलेन लङ्केश्वरं त्वामभिभूय शीघ्रम्।
सलक्ष्मणैनाद्य हि राघवेण प्रसह्य युद्धे निहतः सुतस्ते॥११॥

** रावणः—**आः दुरात्मन्! समरभीरो!

देवाः सेन्द्रा जिता येन दैत्याश्चापि पराङ्मुखाः।
इन्द्रजित् सोऽपि समरे मानुषेण निहन्यते ? ॥१२॥

** राक्षसः—** प्रसीदतु, प्रसीदतु महाराजः! महाराजपादमूले कुमारमन्तरेणावृतं नाभिधीयते।

** रावणः—** हा वत्स! मेघनाद!

** राक्षसः—**महाराज!समाश्वसिहि समाश्वसिहि।

** रावणः—**(प्रत्यभिज्ञाय )

हा वत्स! सर्वजगतां ज्वरकृत्! कृतास्त्र!
हा वत्स! वासवजिदानतवैरिचक्र!
हा वत्स! वीर! गुरुवत्सल! युद्धशौण्ड¹³³!
हा वत्स! मामिह विहाय गतोऽसि कस्मात् ?॥१३॥

( इति मोहमुपगतः¹³⁴ )

** राक्षसः—**हा धिक! त्रैलोक्यविजयी लड्केश्वर एतामवस्थां प्रापितो हतकेन विधिना। महाराज! समाश्वसिहि समाश्वसिहि।

** रावणः—**(समाश्वस्य) इदानीमनर्थहेतुभूतया सीतया किमनया, त्रैलोक्यविजयविफलया चपलया श्रिया च? किं भोः कृतान्तहतक! अद्यापि भयविह्वलोऽसि?

इदानीमपि निःस्नेहो वत्सेनेन्द्रजिता विना।
कष्टंकठोरहृदयो जीवत्येष दशाननः॥१४॥

(इति सन्तापात् पतति)

** राक्षसः—**हा भो राजनीचरवीराः¹³⁵ ! एवंगते राजन्यन्तः कक्ष्यास्थिता रक्षिणश्चाप्रमत्ता भवन्तु भवन्तः। (नेपथ्ये) भो भो रजनीचरवीराः! समरमुखनिरस्तप्रहस्तनिकुम्भकुम्भकर्णेन्द्रजिद्विकलबलजलधिजनितभयचकितविमुखाः।चपलायनमनु-चितमविरतममरसमराणि जितवतां भवताम् अथ च विश्वविजय¹³⁶विख्यातविंशद्बाहुशालिमि भर्तर्यत्र स्थितवति लङ्केश्वरे¹³⁷।

** रावणः—**(श्रुत्वा सामर्षम्) गच्छ¹³⁸, भूयो ज्ञायतां वृत्तान्तः।

** राक्षसः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः¹³⁹। (निष्क्रम्य प्रविश्य) जयतु महाराजः! एष हि रामः।

धनुषि निहितवाणस्त्वामतिक्रम्य गर्वा-
द्धरिगणपरिवारो हाससम्फुल्लनेत्रः।
रणशिरसि सुतं ते पातयित्वा तु राज-
न्नभिपतति हि लङ्कां सन्दिधक्षुर्यथैव॥१५॥

** रावणः—**(सहसोत्थाय सरोषम्) क्कासौक्वासौ?

वज्रीभकुम्भतटभेदकठोरधारः
क्रोधोपहारमसिरेषविधास्यति त्वाम्।
सम्प्रत्यवन्त्वनिमिषा इह मत्करस्थः
क्षुद्र! क्व यास्यसि कुतापस! तिष्ठ तिष्ठ॥१६॥

** राक्षसः—**महाराज! अलकतिसाहसेन।

** सीता—**अणिठ्ठाणि अणरुहाणि अणिमित्ताणि इदाणिं करअंतस्स रावणस्स अइरेण मरणं भविस्सिदि। [अनिष्टान्यनर्हाण्यनिमित्तानीदानीं कुर्वतो रावणस्याचिरेण मरणं भविष्यति।]

** रावणः—**अस्याः कारणेन बहवो भ्रातरः सुताः सुहृदश्चमे निहताः। तस्मादामेत्रविषयमस्या हृदयं भित्त्वा कृष्टान्त्रमालालङ्कृतः खड्गाशनिपातेन समनुजयुगलं सकलवानरकुलं ध्वंसयामि।

** राक्षसः—**प्रसीदतु ग्रसीदतु महाराजः। अलमलमिदानी¹⁴⁰मरिबलावलेपमन्तरेणानवरतवृथाप्रयासेन। अवश्यं च स्त्रीवधो न कर्तव्यः।

** रावणः—**तेन हि स्यन्दनमानय¹⁴¹।

** राक्षसः—**यदाज्ञापयति महाराजः। (निष्क्रम्य प्रविश्य) जयतु महाराजः। इदं स्यन्दनम्।

** रावणः—**(रथमारुह्य)

समावृतं सुरैरद्य सीते! द्रक्ष्यसि राघवम्।
मम चापच्युतैस्तीक्ष्णैर्वाणैराक्रान्तचेतसम्॥१७॥

(निष्क्रान्तः सपरिवारो रावणः)

** सीता—**

इस्सरा! अत्तणो कुलसदिसेण चारित्तेन जदि अहं अणुसरामि अय्यउत्तं, अय्यउत्तस्स विजओ होदु। [ईश्वराः! आत्मनः कुलसदृशेन चारित्रेण यद्यहमनुसराम्यार्यपुत्रम् आर्यपुत्रस्य विजयो भवतुं।]

(निष्क्रान्ता)

पञ्चमोऽङ्कः

–––––––––––––––

अथ षष्ठोऽङ्कः

(ततः प्रविशति विद्याधरास्त्रयः)

**सर्वे—**एते स्मो भो! एते स्मः।

** प्रथमः—इक्ष्वाकुवंशविपुलोज्ज्वलदीप्तकेतोः**

द्वितीयः—रामस्य रावणवधाय कृतोद्यमस्य।

तृतीयः—सङ्ग्रामदर्शनकुतूहलबद्धचित्ताः

सर्वे—प्राप्ता वयं हिमवतः शिखरात् प्रतूर्णम् ॥१॥

** प्रथमः—**चित्ररथ! एते देवदेवर्षिसिद्धविद्याधरादयो निरन्तरं नभः कृत्वा स्थिताः। तस्माद्वयमप्येतेषामेतान् गणान् परिहरन्तः स्वैरमेकान्ते स्थित्वा रामरावणयोयुद्धविशेषं पश्यामः।

** उभौ—**बाढम्।

** प्रथमः—**अहो प्रतिभयदर्शनीया खल्वियं युद्धभूमिः!इह हि,

रजनिचरशरीरनीरकीर्णा
कपिवरवीचियुता वरासिनका।
उदधिरिव विभाति युद्धभूमी
रघुवरचन्द्रशरांशुवृद्धवेगा॥२॥

** द्वितीयः—**एवमेतत्।

एते पादपशैलभग्नशिरसो मुष्टिप्रहारैर्हताः
क्रुद्धैर्वानरयूथपैरतिबलैरुत्पुच्छ्कर्णैर्वृताः।
कण्ठग्राहविवृत्ततुङ्गनयनैर्दष्टोष्टतीव्रैर्मुखैः
शैला वज्रहता इवाशु समरे रक्षोगणाः¹⁴² पातिताः॥३॥

** तृतीयः—**एते चापि द्रष्टव्या भवद्भ्यां,

निशितविमलखडगाः क्रोधविस्फारिताक्षा
विमलविकृतदंष्ट्रानीलजीमूतकल्पाः।
हरिगणपतिसन्यं हन्तुकामाः समन्ताद्
रभसविवृतवक्त्रा¹⁴³ राक्षसाः सम्पतन्तः¹⁴⁴॥४॥

** प्रथमः—**अहोतुखलु,

वाणः पात्यन्ते राक्षसैर्वानरेषु

** द्वितीयः—शैलाः क्षिप्यन्ते वानर्रर्नैर्ऋतेषु।**

** तृतीयः—मुष्टिप्रक्षेपैर्जानुसङ्घट्टनैश्च।**

स

र्वे—भीमश्चित्रं भोः! सम्प्रमर्दः प्रवृत्तः॥५॥

** प्रथमः—**रावणमपि पश्येतां भवन्तौ,

कनकरचितदण्डां शक्तिमुल्लालयन्तं
विमलविकृतदंष्ट्रं¹⁴⁵स्यन्दनं वाहयन्तम्।
उदयशिखरमध्ये पूर्णबिम्बं शशाङ्कं
ग्रहमिव भगणेशं राममालोक्य रुष्टम्॥६॥

** द्वितीयः—**राममपि पश्येतां भवन्तौ।

सव्येन चापमवलम्ब्य करेण वीर-
मन्येन सायकवरं परिवर्तयन्तम्।
भूमौ स्थितं रथगतं रिपुमीक्षमाणं
क्रौञ्चं यथा गिरिवरं युधि कार्त्तिकेयम्॥७॥

** तृतीयः—**हहह।

रावणेन विमुक्तेयं शक्तिः कालान्तकोपमा।
रामेण स्मयमानेन द्विधा छिन्ना धनुष्मता॥८॥

** प्रथमः—**

शक्तिं निपातितां दृष्ट्वाक्रोधविस्फारितेक्षणः।
रामं प्रत्यैपवं वर्षमभिवर्षति रावणः॥९॥

** द्वितीयः—**अहो रामस्य शोभा!

एता रावणजीमूताद् वाणधारा विनिस्सृताः।
विभान्ति राममासाद्य वारिधारा वृषंयथा॥१०॥

** तृतीयः—** एष एषः,

कनकरचितचापं तीक्ष्णमुद्यम्य शीघ्रं
रणशिरसि सुघोरं वाणजालं विधुन्वन्।
रथगतमभियान्तं रावणं याति पद्भ्यां
गजपतिमिव मत्तं तीक्ष्णदंष्टो मृगेन्द्रः॥११॥

** सर्वे—**अये ज्वलित इव प्रभयायं देशः। किन्नुखल्विदम् ?

** प्रथमः—**आ! युद्वसामान्यजनितशङ्केन महेन्द्रेण प्रेषितो मातलिवाहितो रथः।

** द्वितीयः—**उपस्थितं मातलिं दृष्ट्वा तस्य वचनाद् रथमारूढवान् रामः।

** तृतीयः—**एवहि,

सुरवरजयदर्प देशिकेऽस्मिन्¹⁴⁶
दितिसुतनाशकरे रथे विभाति।
रजनिचरविनाशकारणः¹⁴⁷ सं-
स्त्रिपुरवधाय यथा पुरा कपर्दी॥१२॥

** प्रथमः—**अहो महत् प्रवृत्तं युद्धम्!

शरवरपरिपीततीव्रवाणं नरवरनैर्ऋतयोः समीक्ष्य युद्धम्।
विरतविविधशस्त्रपातमेते हरिवरराक्षससैनिकाः स्थिताश्च॥१३॥

** द्वितीयः—**अहोतुखलु,

चारीभिरेतौ परिवर्तमानौ रथे
स्थितौ बाणगणान् वमन्तौ।
स्वरश्मिजालर्धराणिंदहन्तौ
सूर्याविव द्वौ नभसि भ्रमन्तो॥१४॥

** तृतीयः—**रावणमपि पश्येतां भवन्तौ।

शरैर्भीमवेगैर्हयान् मर्दयित्वा
ध्वजं चापि शीघ्रं बलेनाभिहत्य।
महद् वाणवर्षंसृजन्तं नदन्तं
हसन्तं नृदेवं भृशं भीषयन्तम॥१५॥

** प्रथमः—**एष हि रामः,

स्थानाक्रामणवामनीकृततनुः किञ्चित् समाश्वास्य वै
तीव्रं बाणमवेक्ष्य रक्तनयनो मध्याह्नसूर्यप्रभः।
व्यक्तं मातलिना स्वयं नरपतिर्दत्तास्पदो वीर्यवान्
क्रुद्धः संहितवान् वरास्त्रममितं पैतामहं पार्थिवः॥१६॥

** द्वितीयः—**एतदस्त्रं,

रघुवरभुजवेगविप्रमुक्तं ज्वलनदिवाकरयुक्ततीक्ष्णधारम्।
रजनिचरवरं निहत्य सङ्क्ष्ये पुनरभिगच्छति राममेव शीघ्रम्॥१७॥

** सर्वे—**हन्त निपातितो¹⁴⁸ रावणः!

प्रथमः

—

रावणं निहतं दृष्ट्वापुष्पवृष्टिर्निपातिता।
एता नदन्ति गम्भीरं भेर्यस्त्रिदिवसद्मनाम्¹⁴⁹॥१८॥

** द्वितीयः—** भवतु। सिद्धं देवकार्यम्।

** प्रथमः**— तदागम्यताम्।वयमपि तावत् सर्वहितं राम सम्भावयिष्यामः।

** उभौ—**बाढमू। प्रथमः कल्पः।
(निष्क्रान्ताः सर्वे)

विष्कम्भकः

(ततः प्रविशति रामः)

रामः—

हत्वा रावणमाहवेऽद्य तरसा मद्बाणवेगार्दितं
कृत्वा चापि विभीषणं शुभमर्तिलङ्केश्वरं साम्प्रतम्।
तीर्त्वा चैवमनल्पसत्त्वचरितं दोर्भ्यां प्रतिज्ञार्णवं
लङ्कामभ्युपयामि बन्धुसहितः सीतां समाश्वासितुम्¹⁵⁰॥१९॥

(प्रविश्य) लक्ष्मणः

—

जयत्वार्यः ! आर्य ! एषा ह्यार्यार्यस्य समीपमुपसर्पति।

** रामः**

—

वत्स ! लक्ष्मण !

अपायाच्च हि¹⁵¹ वैदेह्या उषिताया रिपुक्षये।
दर्शनात् साम्प्रतं धैर्यंमृत्युर्मे वारयिष्यति॥२०॥

** लक्ष्मणः**

—

यदाज्ञापयत्यार्यः।
(निष्क्रान्तः)

(प्रविश्य) विभीषणः

—

जयतु देवः।

एषा हि राजंस्तव धर्मपत्नी त्वद्बाहुवीर्येण विधूतदुःखा।
लक्ष्मीः पुरा दैत्यकुलच्युतेव तव प्रसादात् सभुपस्थिता सा॥२१॥

** रामः**

—

विभीषण! तत्रैव तावत् तिष्टतु रजनिचरावमर्शजातकल्मषा इक्ष्वाकुकुलस्याङ्कभूता¹⁵²। राजानं दशरथं पितरमुद्दिश्य न युक्तं भो लङ्काधिपते ! मां द्रष्टुम्¹⁵³। अपिच,

मज्जमानमकार्येषु पुरुषं विषयेषु वै।
निवारयति यो राजन्! स मित्रं रिपुरन्यथा॥२२॥

** विभीषणः**

—

प्रसीदतु देवः !

** रामः**

—

नार्हति भवानतः परं पीडयितुम्।

(प्रविश्य) लक्ष्मणः

—

जयत्वार्यः! आर्यस्याभिप्रायं श्रुत्वैवाग्निप्रवेशाय प्रसादंप्रतिपालयत्यार्या।

** रामः—**लक्ष्मण ! अस्याः पतिव्रतायाश्छन्दमनुतिष्ट।

** लक्ष्मणः—**यदाज्ञापयत्यार्यः। (परिक्रम्य¹⁵⁴.”)) भोः ! कष्टम्।

विज्ञाय देव्याः शौचं चश्रुत्वा चार्यस्य शासनम्।
धर्मस्नेहान्तरे न्यस्ता बुद्धिर्दोलायते मम॥२३॥

कोऽत्र ?

(प्रविश्य) हनूमान्— जयतु कुमारः !

** लक्ष्मणः**— हनूमन् ! यदि ते शक्तिरस्ति, एवमाज्ञापयत्यार्यः।

** हनूमान्**— अत्र किं तर्कयति कुमारः ?

** लक्ष्मणः**— निष्फलो मम तर्कः। अथवा वयमार्यस्याभिप्रायमनुवर्तितारः।¹⁵⁵ गच्छामस्तावत्।

** हनूमान्**— यदाज्ञापयति कुमारः।
(निष्क्रान्तौ)

(प्रविश्य¹⁵⁶")) लक्ष्मणः— प्रसीदत्वार्यः। आर्य ! आश्चर्यमाश्चर्यम् ! एषा ह्यार्या,

विकसितशतपत्रदामकल्पा ज्वलनमिहाशु विमुक्तजीविताशा।
श्रममिह तव निष्फलं च कृत्वा प्रविशति पद्मवनं यथैव हंसी॥२४॥

** रामः**— आश्चर्यमाश्चर्यम्। लक्ष्मण ! निवारय निवारय।

** लक्ष्मणः**— यदाज्ञापयत्यार्थः।

(प्रविश्य) हनूमान्— जयतु देवः !

एषा कनकमालेव ज्वलनाद् वर्धितप्रभा।¹⁵⁷
पावना पावकं प्राप्य निर्विकारमुपागता॥२५॥

** रामः**— (सविस्मयम्) किमिति किमिति ?

** लक्ष्मणः**— अहो, आश्चर्यम् !

(प्रविश्य) सुग्रीवः

— जयतु देवः !

कोनुखतल्वेष जीवन्तीमादाय जनकात्मजाम्।
प्रणम्यरूपः सम्भूतो ज्वलतो हव्यवाहनात्॥२६॥

** लक्ष्मणः**— अये, अयमार्यां पुरस्कृत्येत एवाभिवर्तते भगवान् विभावसुः।

** रामः**— अये, अयं भगवान् हुताशनः ! उपसर्पामस्तावत्।¹⁵⁸

   (सर्वे उपसर्पन्ति[^165])

(ततः प्रविशत्यग्निः सीता गृहीत्वा)

** अग्निः**— एष भगवान् नारायणः ! जयतु देवः!

** रामः**— भगवन्, नमस्ते।

** अग्निः**— न मे नमस्कारं कर्तुमर्हति देवेशः।

इमांगृह्णीव राजेन्द्र! सर्वलोकनमस्कृताम्।
अपापामक्षतांशुद्धां जानकीं पुरुषोत्तम!॥२७॥

अपिच,

इमां भगवतीं लक्ष्मीं जानीहिजनकात्मजाम्।
सा भवन्तमनुप्राप्तः मानुषीं तनुमास्थिता॥२८॥

** रामः**— अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि

जनतापि च वैदेह्याःशुचितां धूमकेतन!
प्रत्ययार्थं हि लोकानामेवमेव मया कृतम्॥२९॥

(नेपथ्ये दिव्यगन्धर्वा गायन्ति) नमो भगवते त्रैलोक्यकारणाय नारायणाय !

ब्रह्मा ते हृदयं जगत्त्रयपते ! रुद्रश्च कोपस्तव
नेत्रे चन्द्रदिवाकरौ सुरपते! जिह्वा च ते भारती।
सबह्मेन्द्रमरुद्रगणं त्रिभुवनं सृष्टं त्वयैव प्रभो !
सीतेयं जलसम्भवालयरता विष्णुर्भवान् गृह्यताम् ॥३०॥

(पुनर्नेपथ्ये अपरे गायन्ति)

मग्नेयं हि जले वराहवपुषा भूमिस्त्वयैवोद्धृता
विकान्तं भुवनत्रयं सुरपते! पादत्रयेण त्वया।
स्वैरंरूपमुपस्थितेन भवता देव्या यथा साम्प्रतं
हत्वा रावणमाहवेन हि तथा देवाः समाश्वासिताः॥ ३१॥

** अग्निः**—भद्रमुख! एते देवदेवर्षिसिद्धविद्याधरगन्धर्वाप्सरोगणाः स्वविभवैर्भवन्तं वर्धयन्ति।

** रामः**—अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि¹⁵⁹

अग्निः—भद्रमुख! अभिषेकार्थमित इतो भवान्।

** रामः**—यदाज्ञापयति¹⁶⁰ भगवान्।

(निष्क्रान्तौ)

(नेपथ्ये) जयतु देवः! जयतु स्वामी! जयतु भद्रमुखः! जयतु महाराजः!जयतु रावणान्तकः! जयत्वायुष्मान्!

** विभीषणः¹⁶¹**—एष एष महाराजः,

तीर्त्वा प्रतिज्ञार्णवमाहवेऽद्य
सम्प्राप्य देवीं च विधूतपापाम्।
देवैः समस्तैश्चकृताभिषेको
विभाति शुभ्रे नभसीव चन्द्रः॥३२॥

** लक्ष्मणः¹⁶²**—अहोतुखल्वार्यस्य वैष्णवं तेजः!

यमवरुणकुबेरवासवाद्यैस्त्रिदशगणैरभिसंवृतो विभाति।
दशरथवचनात् कृताभिषेकस्त्रिदशपतित्वमवाप्य वृत्रहेव¹⁶³॥३३॥

(ततः प्रविशति कृताभिषेको रामः सीतया सह)

** रामः**— वत्स! लक्ष्मण!

येनाहं कृतमङ्गलप्रतिसरो भद्रासनारोपितोऽ-
प्यम्बायाः प्रियमिच्छता नृपतिना भिन्नाभिषेकः कृतः।
व्यत्त्कंदैवगतिं गतेन गुरुणा प्रत्यक्षतः साम्प्रतं
तेनैवाद्य पुनः प्रहृष्टमनसा प्राप्ताभिषेकः कृतः॥३४॥

** अग्निः**— भद्रमुख! एता हि महेन्द्रनियोगाद् भरतशत्रुघ्नपुरःसराः प्रकृतयो भवन्तमुपस्थिताः।

** रामः**— भगवन् प्रहृष्टोऽस्मि।

** अग्निः**— इमे महेन्द्रादयोऽमृतभुजो भवन्तमभिवर्धयन्ति।

** रामः**— अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि।

** अग्निः**— भद्रमुख! किं ते भूयः प्रियमुपहरामि ?

** रामः**— यदि मे भगवान् प्रसन्नः, किमतः परमहमिच्छामि।

(भरतवाक्यम्)

भवन्त्वरजसो गावः परचक्रं प्रशाम्यतु!
इमामपि महीं कृत्स्नां राजसिंहः प्रशास्तु नः॥३५॥

(निष्क्रान्ताःसर्वे)

षष्ठोऽङ्कः¹⁶⁴

अभिषेकनाटकं समाप्तम्

––––––––––––

Metrical Analysis

**अनुष्ठुप् (श्लोक)—68.
पञ्चम लघु सर्वत्र सप्तनं द्विचतुर्थयोः। गुरुवष्ठंच पादानां चतुर्थां स्यादनुष्टुमि॥
** I3, 8, 12, 15, 18-21, 23, 24; II3, 7, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18-20, 23, 24; III 5, 6, 8-11, 13-15, 18, 20, 22, 24-26; IV 4, 8-11, 14, 16, 19-22; V 2, 5, 8-10, 12, 14, 17; VI 8-10, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25-29, 35.

पुष्पिताग्रा— 22. अयुजि नयुगरेफतो यकारो युजि च नजौ जरगाश्च पुष्पिताग्रा।
** I** 6, 14, 22; II 2, 5, 11, 17, 25; III 2, 16, 23; IV 3, 5, 12, 18; V 3; VI 2, 12, 13. 17, 24,33.

वसन्ततिलका— 15. ज्ञेया वसन्ततिलका तभजा जगौ गः।
** I** 1, 4, 9,11; III21, 27; IV 7, 13, 23, V 4, 7, 13, 16 ; VI1, 7.

शार्दूलविक्रीडितम्— 15. सूर्याश्वेर्नसजस्ततस्तगुरवः शार्दूलविक्रीडितम्।
** I** 5 ; II4, 6, 10, 22;III 1; IV 1, 2;V 6; VI 3, 16, 19, 30, 31, 34.

मालिनी— 11. ननमयययुतेयं मालिनीभोगिलोकैः।
** I** 16, 25; II 8, 9, 21, 26; IV 15; V 15; VI4, 6, 11.

उपजातिः— 6.
स्यादिन्द्रवज्रा यदि तौ जगौ गः। उपेन्द्रवज्रा जतजास्ततो गौ ॥ —अनयोरुपजातिः।
** II** 14; IV 6; V 1; VI 14, 21, 32,

उपेन्द्रवज्रा— 4. उपेन्द्रवज्रा जतजास्ततो गौ।
** I** 26; III 3, 19; V 11.

प्रहार्षेणी— 4. त्र्याशामिमनजरगाः प्रहर्षिणीयम्।
** I** 7,10, 17; III 17.

वैश्वदेवी—2. पञ्चाश्वैश्छिन्ना वैश्वदेवी ममौयौ।
** II** 1; VI 5.

स्रग्धरा— 2.म्रभ्रैर्यानां त्रयेण त्रिमुनियतियुतौ स्रग्धरा कीतितेयम्।III 7, 12.

शिखरिणी—1. रसै रुद्रश्छिन्ना यमनसभलागः शिखरिणी। IV 17.

वंशस्थम्—1. जतौ तु वंशस्थमुदीरितं जरौ। I 2.

शालिनी— 1. मात्तौ गौ चेच्छालिनी वेदलोकैः। I 13.

भुजङ्गप्रयातम्—1. भुजङ्गप्रयातं चतुर्भिर्यकारैः। VI 15.

द्रुतविलम्बितम्— 1. द्रुतविलम्बितमाह नभो भरौ। III 4.

॥श्रीः॥

THE CONSECRATION

(Abhisheknatakam)
———

[At the end of the Nandi, THEN enter Stage-manager.]

THE STAGE-MANAGER—May He protect us;He the repeller of the obstuctors of Visvamitra’s sacrifice; the extirpator of the valour of Viradha, Khara and Dushana in batlle; the slayer of Kabandha and the monkey king who were arrogant and haughty; and the leveller of the family of the king of demons.

Thus I will announce to the noblemen. (Having stepped forward, looking around) But ey, what is that? Something like a voice is heard just when I am absorbed in making the announcement! Well, I see.

(Behind the curtian) Sugriva, this way, this way.

(Entering) ASSISTANT TO THE MANAGER—Master,

Whence indeed has arisen this sound? Mighty as it is, it spreads piercing the ears, like (the sound) of clouds roaring in the sky, moving fiercely being tossed about by furious winds.

THE STAGE-MANAGER—Don’t you see, my lad? To slay Valin of the golden garland, the supreme lord of all monkeys, these are preparations of (the two persons,—viz.) Rama, the blazing torch of the Raghu family, a delight to the eyes of all the world, but with anguish caused by the rape of Sita, and Sugriva, king of all monkeys and bears, endowed with a beautiful large robust neck, but expelled from the company of his wife,—who have pledged to help each other. Therefore, these two,—

Rama and Lakshmana have now arrived to re-install Sugriva deprived of his kingdom, just as Hari and Hara came to reinstate Indra.

[Exeunt ambo]

END OF THE PROLOGUE

[Then enter Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva, and Hanuman]

RAMA— Sugriva, this way, this way.
To day, I will straightway make your enemy fall down to the ground, his body peirced, chopped and shattered by my arrows. Leave fear, O king, that Vali shall be seen by you even close to me and slain in the fight.

SUGRIVA—Sire, by your favour I can verily hope for even the realm of gods, let alone that of the monkeys. For,

I have no doubt sire, that the arrow discharged by you now will cleave the heart of Valin. (Because) after cleaving in the great wood the seven Sala trees resembling Himalayan peaks, O glorious one, it has, with that impetus, pierced through the earth, entered the serpent’s abode, passed through the ocean and come back to you, O hero.

HANUMAN—O king, through the words uttered by your lips, we are indeed with dispelled fear and ended grief. O best of Raghus, come along to the mountain resembling a water-laden cloud, in order to bestow victory on the monkey (Sugriva, Indra’s son).

LAKSHMANA—Sir, Kishkindha must be close by, as the forest region (here) is with moisture.

SUGRIVA— The prince has said aright.

Well protected by your arms, O king, we have come to Kishkindha protected well by the arms of the great monkey. You stay here, O best of men; I shall stupefy with a roar the (entire) human world with its mountains shaking.

RAMA— Well, go.

SUGRIVA— As my lord commands. (Walking about) Hello!

O Ruler! Sugriva, abandoned by you for no fault, is eager to wait on your feet in battle.

(Behind the curtain) How, how? Sugriva, is it?

(Then enter Valin with Tara clinging to his garment)

VALIN—How, how? Sugriva, is it?

O Tara, leave my robe, (my) lady with faultless limbs! What are you engaged in, (my dear) with (your) face and eyes wet with tears? Behold today that Sugriva with all his limbs bathedin blood, being struck down in the battle-field.

TARA—Be pleased, o great king, be pleased. Sugriva won’t come with a scanty reason. You must therefore go after taking counsel with the ministers.

VALIN— Ah!
O moon-faced lady! let the resort of my foe be Indra, or even Siva with his sharp axe. Even Vishnu with eyes resembling the full-blown lotuses, is incapable of hitting me down, face to face with me.

TARA— Be pleased, great king, be pleased. Please do a favour to this person, at least.

VALIN—May you listen to my valour.
O Tara, formerly, even at the ‘Nectar-churning’, when I, having gone there, laughed at the (plight of the) legions of gods, danavas, and daityas and began to draw the serpent-lord of glaring eyes and fierce form, they were all astounded on seeing me.

TARA— Be pleased, great king, be pleased.

VALIN— No more; remain obedient to me; you go within.

TARA— Here I go, an unfortunate woman.
(Exit)

VALIN— Well; Tara has gone in. I shall (now) break the neck of Sugriva. (Approaching hurriedly) Sugriva, stay, stay.
Let Indra be your refuge, or even lord Madhusudana; having come within the range of my sight, you won’t go alive.
This way, this way.

SUGRIVA—As the great king commands. (Both fight with fists)

RAMA— Here, (see) this Valin,
Biting his lips, with eyes reddened in rage, with protruding teeth, and roaring dreadfully having clenched tight his fists, the ape in fight shines just like the fire of annihilation which is bent on consuming (everything) completely.

LAKSHMANA— Noble brother, look at Sugriva too.
With eyes as red as a blossomed lotus and with his stout arms fitted with gold atmlets, he attacks the monkey-chief without paying regard to the elder and (thus) neglecting the ways of the good, being himself a monkey.

Hit by Valin, Sugriva has fallen down.

HANUMAN—Oh fie! (Hurriedly going near Rama) Hail! sire, such has been his plight.
The monkey chief is strong, but my master is weak. Let (his present) state and (your) pledge,—all be borne in mind by your noble self.

RAMA—Hanuman, do not be anxious. Here it is attended to. (Discharging an arrow) Ha! Valin has fallen.

LAKSHMANA— Here, this Valin—

With limbs stained by blood, eyes red by bleeding, and arms long but stiffened, eager to enter the region of Death,—yet attacks some how dragging bravely his body calmed of its strength being hit down by (your) powerful dart.

VALIN—(Having fainted and again becoming conscious, after reading the name (letters) on the arrow, addressing Rama).
O Rama, is it right for you to cheat me foully in battle, you—a hero, adbering to the right conduct of kings, free form doubts relating to righteous acts, and engaged in the removal of treachery among the people.
Alas, sir!
By you, a vessel of glory, a person of a gentle form and who has hit me foully, infamy has been made to shoot forth.
O Raghava, slaying me by stealth while I was absolved in fighting with my brother has indeed been an unworthy act for you, dressed in bark but with a mind contradicting the dress!

RAMA—How? ‘Slaying by stealth has been an unworthy act.’—is that what you mean?

VALIN— What doubt ?

RAMA —Not at all so. See—
Slaughter of beasts by resorting to snares and hiding, is permitted. You are punished by me hiding, as you are a beast and deserve to be put to death.

VALIN—Do you think that I deserve to be punished?

RAMA— What doubt?

VALIN— For what reason?

RAMA— For adultery.

VALIN— ‘For adultery’? (But) that is a permissible act with us.

RAMA—Sir, is it right at all,
That you, the lord of the monkeys and able to distinguishbetween right and wrong, should possess your brother’s wife on the plea of yourself being a beast?

VALIN— Only I am punished and not Sugriva, although both of us are equally guilty of possessing the wife of the brother!

RAMA— You are punished because you deserve to be punished; One who does not deserve punishment is never punished.

VALIN— The lawful wife of me, his elder brother, was embraced by Sugriva too. But how am I (alone) to be punished for embracing his wife, O Raghava?

RAMA— Because an elder brother should never touch the wife of a younger brother.

VALIN— Alas! I have no answer. As I have been punished by you, I am freed of sin, is it not?

RAMA— Be it so.

SUGRIVA— Ha, alas!
O best of monkeys with the gait of a lordly elephant! my heart sinks now, as it were, after seeing your two arms lying on the ground, resembling the trunks of elephants and with the armlets shattered by your enemy’s weapons.

VALIN— Sugriva, don’t grieve any more. Such is the course of the world.

(Behind the curtain) Ha! ha! the great king!

VALIN—Sugriva, let the women folk be kept away. They should not see me in this state.

SUGRIVA —As the great king commands.Hanuman, please do so.

HANUMAN— As the prince orders.
* (Exit)*

(Then enter Angada and Hanuman)

HANUMAN— Angada, this way, this way.

ANGADA— Having heard that the monkey (chief), the lord of troops of bears, is passing into the hands of death, I, overwhelmed with grief, move with faltering steps.

Hanuman, where is the great king?

HANUMAN—Here is the great king!—

He shines (lying) on the ground, his heart pierced by an arrow, just like the best mountain Krauncha assailed by Guha’s (weapon) Sakti.

ANGADA— (Going near) Ha, great king!

As the lord of the apes, you were formerly sleeping happily because of your mighty power; but now you roll on the bare earth, the movement of every limb of yours ceased. Leaving behind the body which is hit down by an efficient dart, obviously do you desire to depart today to the heroes’ heaven?

(Falls on the ground)

VALIN—Angada! do not grieve. OSugriva,

Wiping off completly from (your) mind the wrong done by me, laying aside wrath, and leaning on righteousness, let this scion of our family be taken charge of by you, the ruler of the monkeys.

SUGRIVA— As the great king commands.

VALIN— O Raghava, please pardon the fickleness of these two monkeys, whatever their offence be.

RAMA— Very well.

VALIN— Sugriva, receive charge of this gold necklace, the treasure of our family.

SUGRIVA—I am favoured.
(Receives)

VALIN— Hanuman, water please.

HANUMAN—As the great king commands. (Exit, re-enter) Here is water.

VALIN— (Having sipped) Life appears to leave me. These great rivers such as Ganga, and the nymphs such as Urvasi, have come to me. This aerial vehicle drawn by a thousand swans, the van of heroes, and sent by Death, has come to fetch me. Very well. Here, here I come.

                      *(Expires)*

ALL—Ha, ha, great king!

RAMA— Alas, Valin bas gone to heaven! Sugriva, let the funeral rites be performed,

SUGRIVA— As my lord commands.

RAMA— Lakshmana, please arrange for Sugriva’s consecration.

LAKSHMANA— As my noble brother commands. (Exeunt omnes)

END OF THE FIRST ACT

––––––––––––––––

ACT II

INTERLUDE

(Then enter Kakubha).

KAKUBHA— As the task is almost completed, all the chiefs of the monkey troops are engaged in dining. Therefore I too shall do some honour to the viands. (Does so. Then enter Bilamukha).

BILAMUKHA—I have been sent by the great king Sugriva (with this command)—“All the monkeys sent out to search for Sita in all the directions as a return for the help, rendered by the noble Rama, have come back. Get to know the news of Prince Angada who, among them, bad gone southwards; and come soon.“Now, where on earth has the prince gone to? (Walking about and seeing) Here is master Kakubha. I will just ask him. (Going near) (Keeping) good health, sir?

KAKUBHA— Hullo, Bilamukha! whence came you?

BILAMUKHA—I have come sir, by the great king’s command to see Prince Angada.

KAKUBHA— Is the noble Rama well? and the king?

BILAMUKHA—Yes.

KAKUBHA— What is the intention of the great king?

BILAMUKHA —I have been sent………….(and so on as before)

KAKUBHA—Don’t you know that half the task has been accomplished?

BILAMUKHA— What, what?

KAKUBHA—Listen;
Having obtained from the lord of birds, news relating to Rama’s wife, and mounting the great Mahendra mountain which is together with great elephants, the ocean has been leapt across now by the Wind god’s son through his excessive strength in order to reach Lanka quickly.
Then come along; we shall wait upon the prince.

(Exeunt ambo)

END OF THE INTERLUDE

(Then enter Sita surrounded by a number of Rakshasa women)

SITA— Alas! An unfortunate woman, I am indeed very enduring. Separated from my noble lord, brought to the palace of the demon-king, and made to listen to undesirable wicked and recklessly uttered words, I am living, a wretched woman, Or rather! I will console myself somehow through confidence in my lord’s arrows. How is it that today, a little mental relief has arisen like a spray of water on the blazing ring of the black-smith’s fire. Would my lord ever be of a cheerful mind without me?

(Then enter Hanuman with a ring in his hand)

HANUMAN— (Entering Lanka) Ah, the structure of Ravana’s city! Rich in variegated gateways built of gold, with its spots decorated with corals and good gems, and with high (seven storied) palaces that are bright, strangely built and dense, Lanka shines like Mahendra’s city in heaven.
And oh! indeed!
Possessing this unrivalled royal fortune, the ten-necked Ravana has started to destroy it by pursuing the wrong path.(Having gone all round) Nearly the entire Lanka has been traversed by me.
Many a time have I passed through the inner-most apartments and private harem chambers, through halls and stories of palaces, through bathing rooms, dwelling chambers, palaces and mansions of the demon king, and through taverns, quiet spots and dungeons. Every place has been searched; but alas! the klug’s wife is not at all found by me.
Ah! my effort has been in vain. Well; going up the roof of the mansion, I will look round. (Doing so) Ey, here is a vast range of pleasure groves. Entering it, I shall search. (Entering and seeing) Ah! the beauty of the pleasure garden! Here, indeed—
With its regions beautiful on account of rows of great trees adorned with corals and sapphires set in gold, and with its more attractive mound, it shines as bright as the pleasure ground of the lord of gods in heaven.
More over,
Hillocks beautiful with gold ore and variegated springs were seen by me; ponds flocked by various kinds of water-fowls and birds were beheld by me; and places, with trees always laden with flowers and fruits were noticed by me; all this, but not Sita, was seen in Ravana’s dwelling, by me.

Who forsooth is this some one with radiance seen in this region? I will just see there. (Doing so) Ey, who indeed is this lady?

Surrounded by hideous demonessess, the lady with a slender waist shines forth like a streak of lightning amidst dark clouds.

Here she,

Wearing a single braid that resembles a black snake, with her waist that can be spanned by the hand, her mind set on her bodyemaciated by fasting, and her face bathed in tears,— looks like a wild garland of lotuses thrown away into the sun.

Ah! what is this torchlight for? (Seeing) Oh, it is Ravana!—

Whose crown is set with gems; who has fine, red and large eyes; who moves along gracefully with pride; and who is as sportive as an infatuated elephant. Within the bevy of young women, this demon-king shines like a lion moving among female deer.

What shall I do now? Well, I see. Having climbed this Asoka tree and hiding myself within its hollow, I will know the matter definitely.
(Does so)

(Then enter Ravana, with retinue)

RAVANA—Sita of bewitching eyes, being indescriminate, is in love with that low warrior-ascetic and does not like me, Ravana, who with divine missiles put to flight the hosts of gods, daityas and danavas, and had (my) broad chest scarred by the thunderbolt of the tusks of the angry elephant of the gods while fighting. Oh! this is surely the obstructing tactics of fate.
(Looking up) Here, the moon,—

A dear friend of the night-lotus groves,— with the hare-mark and the shining of a mirror made of silver, oppressing my heart by his numerous rays, is rising up spreading his splendour in the sky.

(Moving forward) Here is Sita; resorting to the foot of thetree, with her heart absorbed in meditations, with her face emaciated from fasting, desiring to shrink into herself as it were, and with her breasts and waist closely concealed, she is sitting surrounded by a group of Rakshasa women, just as a digit of the moon in the midst of a shower of rain. And she—

Discarding joys, me and this mighty fortune, with her heart fixed on a mortal, has not at all become subservient to me.

HANUMAN— Ah, it is clearly known!

This is that princess Maithili, wife of Rama; she is trembling like a female deer frightened at the sight of a lion.

RAVANA— (going near) Sita, leave off this vow of a severe course. Accept me, fair lady, with all your limbs, rejecting now that mortal who is averse to the ways of love and is as good as dead, O good lady!

SITA— Silly Ravana is indeed to be laughed at, as he is not aware of the mystic effect of the words (of a curse) !

HANUMAN— (Angrily) Ah, the arrogance of Ravana!

Not knowing anything of those two arms, that mighty bow and that arrow of Rama, he says that “he is as good as dead”!

I am unable to subdue my anger. Well; I myself will accomplish the task of noble Rama. Or,—

If I kill Ravana, there will be the accomplishment of the task; but, if the demon should hit me down, a great task will fail,

RAVANA— O lady of a fair form, of slender limbs and of lovely eyes! Loosening that braid resembling a garland of blue lotuses, take to your heart this Ten-headed (Ravana) whose limbs are adorned with various kinds of gems and precious stones, O (my) queen!

SITA—Hum! Righteousness is reversed, as this sinful demon lives.

RAVANA—And O queen!

SITA— You are cursed!

RAVANA—Ha, ha, ha! Ah! the moral power of a dutiful wife!

Gods inclusive of Indra and others, and the danavas were crushed by me in battle: I, such a person, am embarassed by the three syllables of Sita.

(Behind the curtain) Victory to His Majesty! Victory to the Lord of Lanka! Victory to our master! Victory to the great king! Ten nadikas are over. The bathing time passes. This way, great king, this way. (Exit Ravana with retinue)

HANUMAN,— Good! Ravana is gone and the Rakshasa women are asleep. This is the time to approach the queen. (Coming down from the hollow) Hail to the lady with a long-lived husband!

Iam sent by king Rama, whose courage is well known and whose mind is distressed by anguish through love for you.

SITA— (To herself) Who, indeed, can this be? That wicked Rakshasa, under the guise of a monkey, might be trying to deceive me by pretending himself as one related to my lord. Well, I shall remain silent.

HANUMAN— Why? Don’t you believe me? Cease to have any suspicion that I am a different person. Please listen―

I am the monkey named Hanuman, sent to search for you by the monkey-king after entering into an alliance with (Rama), the light of the Ikshvaku race.

SITA— (To herself) Be he who he may; I will talk to him as he has uttered the name of my husband. (Aloud) Good sir, what news of my lord?

HANUMAN—Listen, lady—

He bears a pining body, bereft of fortitude, scorched by the arrows of the mind-born, with eyes filled with tears, subjected to pain by fasting, pale, with an emaciated face and with its grace and charm removed through brooding over your excellent virtues.

SITA— (To himself) Alas! unfortunate me! I am ashamed to heas that my lord grieves thus. I see that even the pain of separation of my lord has borne fruit on me, in case this monkey is speaking truth. Hearing of my husband’s love and suffering for this person (i.e. myself), my heart is swinging, as it were, between joy and sorrow. (Aloud) Good sir, how came my lord’s alliance with you monkeys?

HANUMAN— Please listen, lady.

The kingdom of the monkeys was made Sugriva’s (by Rama) after slaying his elder brother Valin, the celebrated, ape in a battle for your sake, O princess! Therefore, monkeys were sent in all directions to search for you, by our king. I, one of them have come to you to day, O queen, through the (guiding) words of a vulture.

Moreover, thus………….

SITA— Oh pitiless are the gods in making my husband thus sorrowful.

HANUMAN— Lady, do not grieve. For, Rama,—

Holding firm his great bow and surrounded by an army of monkeys, will invade this very Lanka to extirpate the ten-necked Ravana.

SITA—Indeed, is it only a dream seen by me? Good sir, is it true? I know not.

HANUMAN— (To himself) Alas!

This lady, so full of love for her lord,-being oppressed by grief, does not believe it even after recognising her husband quite well, as if she has migrated into another body.

(Aloud) Lady, now—

I will bring here your lord with the upraised mighty bow and arrows in his hand. O princess! you will be freed of doubts relating to me, once you are by the side of that great person, with your sorrow appeased.

SITA— Good sir, relate my news in such a manner that my lord may not be oppressed by grief on hearing this plight of mine.

HANUMAN—As your ladyship commands.

SITA— Go; may there be success in your under-taking.

HANUMAN— Thank you. (Moving about) Now, how shall I communicate my arrival to Ravana? Well, I see

I shall rid the demon-king of his pride of a beautiful country by pulverizing with blows from my hands and feet, this garden full of flocks of cuckoos, lovely with lotus beds, with very beautiful groves of trees, and with its three peaks resembling clouds.

(Exeunt ambo)

END OF THE SECOND ACT

–––––––––––––––––––

ACT III

(Then enter Sankukarna)

SANKUKARNA—Hello, who is here on duty at the ‘Golden Gate Entrance’?

(Entering) PORTRESS—Sir, it is I, Vijaya. What shall I do for you?

SANKUKARNA— O Vijaya, convey immediately to His Majesty the Lord of Lanka that the Asoka Garden is almost destroyed. For,

That Asoka Garden,—where even Mandodari, our lord’s chief queen, although fond of ornaments does not pluck the sprays out of kindness; wherein even the Malaya breeze does not blow out of fear; and whose plants are untouched by the hand;—that garden of Indra’s foe is destroyed. Let the matter be reported.

PORTRESS—Sir, in a person who is always in attendance on the king, such fright was never seen before. How came this?

SANKUKARNA—Lady, this is an urgent matter. Please convey (it) at once.

PORTRESS— Sir, here I convey.
(Exit)

SANKUKARNA— (Looking in front) Lo! Here is His Majesty the Lord of Lanka coming this very way. And he,

With eyes wild and resembling white lotuses, with blazing golden torches going in his front, full of fury he is rushing forward in haste like the Sun engaged in ending an Age (yuga).

(Then enter Ravana, as described)

RAVANA—Hello, speaker of new words! I am listening; speak out at once. How and by which fearless fellow courting death have I been rudely abused by destroying the park?

SANKUKARNA— (going near) Victory to the great king! By a strange monkey that came in unnoticed, the Asoka garden has been violently crushed.

RAVANA— (with contempt) How, by a monkey, is it? go; having caught him at once, bring him.

SANKUKARNA— As the great king commands!
(Exit)

RAVANA— Well, well;

If this disagreeable thing has been done by the gods to me, the creator of terror to the three worlds in battle, then, let those nectar-eaters soon reap the fruit arising from their insolence.

(Entering) SANKUKARNA – Victory to the great king! Sir, that monkey is indeed very strong. By him the Sala trees were pulled out like lotus-stalks, the wooden hillock was smashed with a fist, the creeper-houses were squeezed by the palm of his hands, and the guards of the pleasure garden were rendered unconcious with a mere roar. Your Majesty will be pleased to order a force capable of capturing him.

RAVANA— Then order the ‘Thousand Slaves’ force to captivate the monkey.

SANKUKARNA—As the great king commands! (Exit, re-enter) Victory to the great king!

Our slaves of great strength were killed in no time with our own great trees by that tree-weaponed fighter.

RAVANA—How? Killed, you say? Then bid prince Aksha capture the monkey.

SANKUKARNA—As the great king commands.

RAVANA— (Reflecting)

As the prince is well versed in weapons, heroic and strong, he may either catch the monkey by force, or even slay him.

(Entering) SANKUKARNA– Your Majesty Will be pleased to order the next force.

RAVANA— Why?

SANKUKARNA— Pray listen, my liege. Seeing the prince going out (to attack the monkey), five generals, even without orders from your Majesty, followed him.

RAVANA—Then, then?

SANKUKARNA—Then prince Aksha,—

His eyes red with rage, was driving his chariot yoked with swiftest horses and was pouring out networks of arrows with the greatest ease like the clouds of the rainy season; the monkey too, blowing off those arrows, straightway leaping into that chariot (of Aksha) and seizing him by the throat, killed him with his fist, grinning with great joy.

RAVANA— (Angrily) Ah! killed him?

You stay here, I myself will go for this insignificant monkey and in no time reduce him to ashes with the sparks of the fire of my anger.

SANKUKARNA—Be pleased, be pleased your majesty! Hearing that Prince Aksha was slain, Prince Indrajit, his heart full of anger, went to attack the monkey.

RAVANA— Then go; get further news.

SANKUKARNA—As my liege commands.
(Exit)

RAVANA—Verily, the prince is well trained in weapons and

Necessarily, in battle there must be either death or victory to heroes. Yet, this creature of vile deed is of some mental worry to me.

(Entering) SANKUKARNA—Victory to the great king! Victory to the Lord of Lanka!Victory to the blessed-faced king!

There came np a tumultuous fight between him and the prince. Thereafter, the monkey was swiftly bound down with ropes, be fittingly.

RAVANA—What wonder in this that a monkey has been caught by Indra’s conquerer! Hello, who is there?

(Entering) DEMON–Victory to the great king!

RAVANA—Go; let Vibhishana be summoned.

DEMON—As the great king bids.
* (Exit)*

RAVANA —You too; just bring that monkey.

SANKUKARNA— As the great king bids.
(Exit)

RAVANA— (Reflecting) Oh, alas!

Lanka cannot be thought of by gods and demons (although) united, even within their minds. Yet a monkey has indeed entered it defying the ten-necked (me)!

Moreover,—

After conquering the triple world with its gods and demons in battle and proceeding proudly to Kailasa, I, having shaken Siva, together with his queen, and surrounded by his ganas, obtained a boon from him; but again a curse was laid on me by Parvati and Nandi as they were not paid any regard (by me). Could it be that (curse operating now) on me, through the disguised form of a monkey!

(Then enter Vibhishana)

VIBHISHANA—(Thoughtfully) Alas! how perverse indead has the king’s mind become ! For,

Many a time he has been asked by me to restore Maithili to him (Rama). (But,) he does not listen to my words for the misery of his friends.

(Going near) May the great king be victorious!

RAVANA— Vibhishana, come near; sit down.

VIBHISHANA—Yes, here I sit down.
(Sits)

RAVANA —Vibhishana, I find you somewhat depressed.

VIBHISHANA—Depression is but natural in the servant serving a master who does not appreciate a well spoken word.

RAVANA—Please end this talk, You too, just bring the monkey.

VIBHISHANA— As the great king commands.
* (Exit)*

(Then enter Hanuman held by Demons)

ALL—Ah, this way, this way.

HANUMAN—I was not at all defeated by that wicked demon. I voluntarily got captured, with a desire to see the demon-king. (Going near) O King! are you well?

RAVANA— (with contempt) Vibhishana, was all that the doing of this fellow?

VIBHISHANA—Sire, much more than that.

RAVANA—How do you know?

VIBHISHANA—Your majesty will please ask him—“Who are you?”

RAVANA— O monkey, who are you? Why have you been impudent and entered my (ladies’) inner apartments?

HANUMAN— You may listen;

I am the direct son of the Wind-god born of Anjana; and the monkey named Hanuman sent (here) by Raghava.

VIBHISHANA— Sire, did you hear?

RAVANA—What if I heard?

VIBHISHANA—Hanuman, what says the noble Raghava?,

HANUMAN— Sir, You may listen to the command of Rama.

RAVANA—How, how? You say— ’the command of Rama’? Ah! let this monkey be put to death.

VIBHISHANA— Be appeased, be appeased, great king! Envoys are never to be put to death, whatever their offence. Further, after hearing Rama’s message first, then your majesty may act as you please.

RAVANA— O monkey, what says that mortal?

HANUMAN— You may listen;

“Seek the best protection; or go to Siva; or enter into the most impenetrable underworld. Into the abode of death, I will send you with all your limbs cleft by (my) excellent arrows.”
…..So it is.

RAVANA—Ha, ha, ha!

With divine weapons, legions of gods have been defeated by me. All the demon-chiefs are obedient to me. Even Kubera has been humbled being robbed of his aerial car. How can Rama, a mortal go to fight with me, fellow?

HANUMAN—By you, so great a person, why was bis wife carried away stealthily?

VIBHISHANA—Hanuman has spoken aright.

O demon hero! she was indeed brought away stealthily by you putting on the guise of a begger, after luring away Rama by an illusion.

RAVANA— Vibhishana, how is it you take the side of my foe?

VIBHISHANA—Be pleased, O king! My words are for (your) good. Please give back the dutiful wife of Raghava; for, I don’t wish (that) this family (of ours should) be destroyed by you, a demon-hero.

RAVANA— Vibhishana, do not fear.

How can a long-maned lion be slain by a deer? or a mighty infatuated elephant be killed by a fox ?

HANUMAN— O Ravana, is it proper on the part of you, whose lot is at stake, to speak thus of Raghava? O! do not (speak thus).
You accursed demon, Ravana, whose merits are completely exhausted! Is it right for you to speak low thus of Raghava, the foremost of heroes, without a peer, almost an equal of Indra, and the sole lord of the whole world? you worthless fellow !

RAVANA— How now? He addresses me by name? Let this monkey be put to death. Nay, killing an envoy would remain a scandal. O Sankukarna, after setting fire to his tail, release this
monkey.

SANKUKARNA—As the great king commands. This way, this way.

RAVANA— Or, just come here.

HANUMAN— Here Iam.

RAVANA— Relate to that mortal this message of mine. —
“Rama, you have been abused by me, by the abduction of your wife. If there is in you the pride of an archer, you may give me a great fight.”

HANUMAN— Before long, you will see,—
Being vanquished by the mere twang of Rama’s bow (you will see) your Lanka with its excellent but demolished gates, towers, and palaces and encompassed with its pleasure gardens devastated by troops of monkeys all round.

RAVANA—Ah! let this monkey be turned out.

DEMON— This way, this way.

• (Exit Hanuman with demons)*

VIBHISHANA— Be pleased, great king! There is something I wish to say for the good of your majesty.

RAVANA— Speak out, we too shall listen to that good.

VIBHISHANA— I feel that an utter destruction of the demon-race has drawn near.

RAVANA— But why?

VIBHISHANA— Because of your majesty’s unworthy behaviour.

RAVANA— What is that unworthy behaviour of mine?

VIBHISHANA— Why, just the abduction of Sita.

RAVANA— What harm in the abduction of Sita ?

VIBHISHANA— A breach of dharma and—

RAVANA— By that word and, your sentence is incomplete. Speak it out.

VIBHISHANA— Why, that is all.

RAVANA—Vibhishana, why do you hide (things)? You are conjured on my life, if you should fail to speak the truth.

VIBHISHANA—Your majesty should deign to give an assurance of “no fear”.

RAVANA—The assurance of ’no fear’ is given. Now speak out.

VIBHISHANA…. ….and hostility with a powerful foe,

RAVANA— (Angrily) How, how? Hostility with a powerful foe.’ —you say?

Taking the side of my foe, this base demon, without fear, speak to me harshly provoking my anger.

Ey, Who is there?

I don’t like to see in front of me a person who, disregarding my fraternal affection, has taken the side of my foe; so let him be banished.

VIBHISHANA— Be pleased, be pleased, great king! I will go myself.
Punished by you, O king, I go; and I am not guilty. Leaving wrath and lust, act as you should,

(Walking along) And now,
This very day, having resorted to Rama of lotus eyes and dreadful bow, who has taken a vow for slaying Ravana, and who is a god among men, reknown (as striving) for the good of his refugees, I shall once again raise the demon race which has (almost) perished. (Exit)

RAVANA—Alas! Vibhishana is gone. I too shall arrange for guarding the town. * (Exit)*

END OF THE THIRD ACT

––––––––––––––

ACT IV

(Then enters a Monkey-Chamberlain)

THE CHAMBERLAIN—Hello, general! give an ‘alert’ command to the monkey army.

(Entering) GENERAL—Sir, what for, this preparation?

THE CHAMBERLAIN— News of Sita, the wife of noble Rama, has been brought by the worthy Hanuman.

GENERAL—What is that news?

THE CHAMBERLAIN—Listen. The princess, it is stated, is in Lanka, sorely oppressed by grief being harassed by Ravana Who is defying all virtuous conduct. Hence, by our king, seeking to accomplish the object of Rama whose mind is scorched by intense grief on hearing this, the formidable army of the monkeys has been given orders to prepare.

GENERAL— Very well; as bis majesty commands.

THE CHAMBERLAIN—I too shall report to the great king that the monkey army is prepared.

(Exeunt ambo)

END OF THE INTERLUDE

(Then enters Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and Hanuman)

RAMA— Mountains, huge as clouds and dense with thickets on their broad ridges, have been ascended; rivers, the water of which is drunk by lions, tigers, and lordly elephants have been crossed also by me; a great wonderful forest full of trees richly laden with flowers and fruits, has been passed through; and now, I have come along with the army of the monkey-king to the sea-shore.

LAKSHMANA—Here is the divine lord of waters!

With watery sapphires dark as the rainy clouds, with beautiful garlands of the uptossed foamy waves, and with a thousand arms of the incoming streams, the lord of rivers shines like Vishnu reposing.

RAMA— And how now?

Ready to destroy the foe, I have fixed an arrow on my bow; (and) in order to retain him alive, this ocean obstructs me.

SUGRIVA— Ey, in the sky,—

Shining like a rainy cloud and with limbs sparkling with bright ornaments of gold, why does this demon rush thither like a moth to fall soon into fire.

HANUMAN—Ye, monkey warriors! be on your guard.

Let the monkey-chiefs now stand firmly in battle for the destruction of the demon, with rocks, trees, fists, teeth, claws, knees and furious roars; and protect our king.

RAMA— ‘A demon,’—is it? Hanuman, be not excited.

HANUMAN— As the sire commands.

(Then enters Vibhishana)

VIBHISHANA—Oh! I have come to Raghava’s camp spot. (Reflecting) How should the respectable Rama recognise me, when I have not sent to him any messenger, when my arrival is not intimated to him, and when I am a relation of his foe? For,—

My heart is anxious as to what the king of the Raghus will say to me, the younger brother of that furious enemy of the gods, (viz. Ravana,) before whom even (Indra) the wielder of the thunderbolt, together with the gods, is unable to stand in the battle.

Or,

How could this pious Rama who has seen the reality underlying the meaning of dharma, and who is affectionate towards his refugees, be doubted by me of a pure mind!

(Looking down) This is the camp of the bull-like hero of the Raghu house. I will get down. (Alighting) Well, staying here I shall report my arrival to his lordship.

HANUMAN— (Looking upwards) Ey, what? Is it His Highness Vibhishana?

VIBHISHANA—Ey, it is Hanuman! O Hanuman, report to this lordship my arrival.

HANUMAN—Very well. (Going near) Victory to your lordship!
O king, here has come seeking shelter the virtuous-minded Vibhishana, banished from his land by his brother, just on your account.

RAMA— What? Vibhishana has come for shelter, is it? Dear
Lakshmana, go, with honour usher Vibhishana in.

LAKSHMANA— As my brother bids.

RAMA—Sugriva, I see you are eager to speak.

SUGRIVA— My lord, the demons are fraudful fighters and of great witchery. Therefore, after due consideration, let Vibhishana be admitted.

HANUMAN— Nay, not so, great king.

I deem that Vibhishana is as loyal as we are towards your lordship. Once before, in the city (Lanka), he has been seen by me, even as disputing with his brother.

RAMA—If so, go; with honour admit Vibhishana,

LAKSHMANA—As my brother bids. (Going out) Ey, (here is) Vibhishana! O Vibhishana, are you well?

VIBHISHANA—Oh! It is Prince Lakshmana. Prince, now, I have become well.

LAKSHMANA—Vibhishana, let us just go near the sire.

VIBHISHANA—Very well.
(They both go near him)

LAKSHMANA— Victory to my noble brother!

VIBHISHANA— May it please your lordship! May your lordship be victorious!

RAMA— Ey, it is Vibbishana! Vibhishana, are you well?

VIBHISHANA— My lord, now I have become well.

Having come for shelter to you whose eyes resemble lotus petals and who is a worthy refuge, O king, I have now become well, freed of sin on seeing you.

RAMA— From this day, be the lord of Lanka, by my command.

VIBHISHANA— I am beholden to you.

RAMA—Vibhishana, by your very arrival our task has been : accomplished. The means of crossing the ocean is indeed not known.

VIBHISHANA— My lord, what is to be known as regards that? If he does not give passage, you will do well just to discharge a divine missile at the ocean.

RAMA—Good, Vibhishana, good. Be it so. I will just do that,

(Suddenly getting up, angrily)

If he does not give me a passage, I shall soon make him such that the roars of his waves are stilled, his, water and mud are dried up by my arrows, and his earthy bottom is strewn with hundreds of dead fishes.

(Then enter Varuna)

VARUNA— (Alarmed) I am guilty of offence against Narayana, who has put on a human form; therefore, afraid of my lord’s arrow that destroys the bodies of the foes of gods, I will at once go seeking protection, to him.

(Seeing) Ey, here is the divine lord!

Putting on a human form and bearing a discus, bow, and mace, Himself the cause of everything, He has arrived here seeking to accomplish some task.

Salutations to the divine Narayana, the cause of the three worlds!

LAKSHMANA— (Seeing) Ey, who, indeed, is this?

He has his head adorned with jems and his long eyes are beautiful and red. He is dark as a fresh blue lotus and has the gait of an elephant in rut. Risen out of the midst of the vast waters, with his lustre he seems to make the world of living beings bow down soon before him.

VIBHISHANA— My lord, here has come the godly Varuna.

RAMA— Is this Varuna? O divine Varuna, salutation to you.

VARUNA— The lord of the gods should not salute me. Or,

O prince, whence your wrath? Wherefore your excessive ire?

O best of men, just say soon what has to be done by us.)

RAMA—You will please give (us) a passage to go to Lanka.

VARUNA— Here is the passage; you may go.
(Disappears)

RAMA— How is it the divine Varuna has already disappeared? Vibhishana, behold the lord of the waters with motionless waves by the favour of the divine lord.

VIBHISHANA— My lord! Now, the ocean looks cut into two, as it were.

RAMA—Where is Hanuman?

HANUMAN— Hail my lord!

RAMA— Hanuman, lead the way.

HANUMAN—As my lord commands.
(All move on)

RAMA— (Seeing with surprise) Dear Lakshmana, friend Vibbishana, great king Sugriva, friend Hanuman, all of you behold. Ah, the loveliness of the ocean! For, here—

It belches out foam in one place and has its water infested by fishes in another; in one part, it is covered with shells and in another has the hue of a blue cloud; on one side, it has a row of billows and on another is fearful with crocodiles; here it is with a dreadful whirpool and there with still water.

By the favour of the divine lord, the ocean has been crossed!

HANUMAN— My lord, this is Lanka.

RAMA— (Gazing for a long time) Alas, the beauty of the demon’s city will be destroyed before long.

Broken by blows of the blasts of my eminent arrows and the sides (of it) struck down by the waves of the hosts of monkey chiefs, it will sink like a ship lost amidst the ocean waters by the fault of the pilot Ravana.

Sugriva. pitch the camp on this Suvela hill,
(Sits)

SUGRIVA—As my lord commands. Nila, do so.
* (Enter Nila)*

NILA—As the great king commands. (Exit and re-enter) May my lord be victorious! While the armies were being encamped in an order, and when the persons constituting the troops were being checked with reference to the registers, two monkeys who are not recognisable from any source of evidence were caught. We know not what to do with them. Therefore your lordship must decide.

RAMA—Soon bring them in.

NILA—As my lord commands.
* (Exit)*

(The enter Nila; so also Suka and Sarana disguised as monkeys, handcuffed and held by monkeys.)

MONKEYS—Ye fellows, speak out; who are you?

BOTH— Master, we are Mr. Kumuda’s servants.

MONKEYS—Sire, they pretend as Mr. Kumuda’s servants.

VIBHISHANA— *(Attentively having gazed at Suka and Sarana)
*These are not our soldiers and these are not monkeys too. Theseare the demons Suka and Sarana sent by Ravana.

BOTH— (To themselves) Ah! we have been recognised by the Prince. (Aloud) Sir, seeing the demon race in danger by the perversity of the demon king, and not getting any place (there), we came disguised as monkeys seeking the refuge of your. noble self.

RAMA— Friend Vibhishana, how do you feel?

VIBHISHANA— My lord,

These two are the favourite ministers of the demon king. O lord of men! never will they desert the king of Lanka even in a fatal calamity.

Therefore your lordship may order a suitable punishment.

RAMA— Vibhishana, Nay; not so.

By just punishing these two, there won’t be any gain to me;neither will there be any loss to the demon king. Therefore set them free.

LAKSHMANA— If they are to be set free, may your lordship order for their release after they have entered and examined all our army.

RAMA—Lakshmana has said aright. Nila, please do so.

NILA— As my lord commands.

RAMA— Or, come here please.

BOTH—Here we are.

RAMA—Please convey this mes age of mine to that demon king. “Forced to take this war-fare by yourself through the abduction of my wife, I have come as a guest of war desirous of seeing you, (but) do not see you (at all).”

BOTH— As your lordship commands.
* (Exeunt ambo)*

RAMA—Vibhishana, we too shall examine the entire army.

VIBHISHANA—As my lord commands.

RAMA— (Moving along and looking round) Ey! the divine Sun has set. For, now—

Having gone to the summit of the setting mountain, with his rays contracted and body reddened by the twilight, the sun shines like the Pulaka ornament made of gold (adorning) an elephant’s forehead covered with a bright red silk.

(Exeunt omnes)

END OF THE FOURTH ACT

ACT V

(Then enter a demon Chamberlain)

THE DEMON CHAMBERLAIN—Hello, who is here on duty at the Coral-gate Entrance?
(Another Demon entering)

DEMON— Sir, it is I; what shall I do (for you)?

CHAMBERLAIN—Go; please call Vidyujjihva by the king’s order.

DEMON— Well, sir.

• (Exit)*

CHAMBERLAIN— Alas! Even now the mind of the king has not gained sedateness, although all (his) resources in the demon race whose prosperity is in danger has failed, the heroic warriors are killed, and himself has encountered danger to his own life. For, who, indeed—

Would not make peace by restoring his wife to him, even after seeing the sea crossed by him?— the sea, with its dreadful shore hit back by the rolling waves and with the blue waters full of alligators rising up.

Moreover,

Heroes such as Prahasta, Kumbhakarna and others have been killed to day by Raghava; and even Indrajit has gone.
Even in such a plight,

Overpowered by lust and disregarding the ministers’ words, this proud hero, keen on fighting, does not give back Janaka’s daughter, the queen of that bull of Raghu race, in order to (face) a great,misfortune.

(Entering) VIDYUJJIHVA — How do you do, sir?

THE CHAMBERLAIN—Vidyujjihva, go; please bring the likeness of the heads of Rama and Lakshmana by the order of the king.

VIDYUJJIHVA— As the king commands.
(Exit)

THE CHAMBERLAIN—I too shall go and wait on the king.
(Exit)

END OF THE INTERLUDE

(Then enter Sita surrounded by a group of demonesses)

SITA— How is it, my heart which was delighted by my lord’s arrival is somewhat uneasy, now! Bad omens too, are noticed. Even thus, my heart’s joy is now increasing. By every means, let the gods make it blissful (for me).

(Then enter Ravana)

RAVANA— O! forbid (this).

This lady Lanka, who has a fresh white lotus held in her hand, and who was seized after conquering Kubera quickly in battle when she thus came to my possession, is now going forth leaving my abode.

Stay, lady, stay. Not at all should you go. Do you say—

Leaving you, I go to Rama? Ah! pack off. only by force then, in Kubera’s abode. I will seize you (once again) by force only after killing Raghava in a battle.

What of her? I will just allure Sita. (Gesticulating the influence of love) Ah! How great the incomparable power of the flower-bowed god! For—

Beholding Sita’s face, my eyes forget sleep during the night. Coveting for the joy of her embrace, my body grown thinner has gained a paleness and bears suffering in respect of a lovely object. Alas! Ravana, whose arms subdued the three worlds, is being vanquished by the flower-arrowed god.

(Going near) O Sita, with eyes resembling lotus leaves! abandon your mind set on a mortal, O mistress of my heart! See today,, your heart’s beloved together with Lakshmana, felled by my weapon in the battle-field.

SITA—Humph! you are a silly roarer, as you wish to balance the Mandara mountain by the hand.

(Entering) DEMCN—Victory to the great king!

These two heads are of those two mortal princes secured, after slaying in battle, by our prince seeking to do good to you.

RAVANA— Sita, see; see the heads of those two mortals.

SITA—Ha, my lord!
(Falls unconscious)

RAVANA—Sita! abandoning your love for this mortal who is dead,secure this very day a great fortune, O large-eyed lady!

SITA— (Recovering) Alas, my lord! to gaze at the upturned eyes indeed, in your face resembling a fragrant fresh lotus, I have been very hard-hearted, unfortunate me! Ha, my lord! Having cast me into this ocean of misery, where have you gone? I do not die even. Could all this be false? Good sir, with the same sword with which this dreadful deed was wrought on my lord, slay me too.

RAVANA— When that wretch together with his brother Lakshmana has been clearly slain by Indrajit in battle, by whom shall you be released?

(Behind the curtain) By Rama, by Rama……………

SITA— Live long !

(Entering) RAKSHASA — (Excited) By Rama, by Rama…………

RAVANA— What do you mean by “By Rama”?

RAKSHASA—Pray, pardon, great king! In my haste to report to you urgent news, the peculiar situation (of yours) was not paid heed to.

RAVANA— Speak, speak; what has been done by that mortal ascetic?

RAKSHASA—Deign to listen, great king! Indeed, he,—
Raghava of excessive courage and great strength, together with Lakshmana, having overpowered you soon, has slain your son by force.

RAVANA—Ha villain! coward!

Would ever Indrajit be slain by a mortal in fight, when gods inclusive of Indra have been vanquished, and daityas turned away by him ?

RAKSHASA—Be pleased, be pleased, great king. A lie about the prince is never told to your majesty.

RAVANA— Ha my child, Meghanada! (Falls down in a swoon)

RAKSHASA— Great king! take heart, take heart.

RAVANA—(Recovering) Ha! my child, versed in arms, and a torment to all worlds! Alas! my dear conqueror of Indra, with the whole group of your enemies humbled! Alas my son ! O hero, dear to your parents and skilled in fight! Alas! my dear boy!

why have you gone away leaving me here?
* (Swoons)*

RAKSHASA—Out with it, alas! The lord of Lanka, the conqueror of the triple world, has been brought to this state by the accursed fate! Great king, take heart, take heart.

RAVANA —(Recovering) Now, what good is this Sita, the cause of misfortune? and this fickle fortune who will be useless even after the conquest of the three worlds? What, oh, acursed death! even now, are you shivering with fear?

Devoid of affection and without the dear son Indrajit, O misery! this hard-hearted Ravana lives still.

(Falls down in grief)

RAKSHASA—Ho, you demon heroes! when the king is in such a circumstance, you the guards in the inner apartments, should be watchful.

(Behind the curtain) Hello, you demon warriors, turning your backs timidly in fright caused by the ocean-like army getting despirited by the death of Prahasta, Nikumbha, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit in the van of battle! This timorous fight does not become of you, who have won battles against the gods successively; and more so when our master, the lord of Lanka, adorned with his twenty arms reknown for conquering the entire universe, is still here.

RAVANA— (Listening angrily) Go, get more news.

RAKSHASA—As the great king commands! (Exit, re-enter) Victory, great king! This Rama,

Having fixed an arrow to his bow ignoring you in his arrogance and having slain your son in the van of the fight, he, with the train of his monkey-troops, his eyes wide open as he is smiling, —is rushing towards Lanka, as if to set it ablaze.

RAVANA— (Suddenly rising in rage) Where is he? where is he?
(Raising his sword).

This sword, whose edge is hardened by the cleaving of the wide temples of the elephants of Indra and which I hold in my hand here, shall make you an offering to my wrath. Let the gods protect you. Vile fellow, whither are you going? Stay, stay; you miserable ascetic.

RAKSHASA— O great king, do not be too rash.

SITA— Very soon there shall be the death of Ravana who now does unpleasant, unworthy and purposeless deeds.

RAVANA—On account of this woman, so many brothers, sons and friends of mine have been slain. Hence, having cleaven her heart, the home of enmity, and adorned with the garl and of her entrails, I shall destroy the whole host of monkeys together with the two mortals with a blow from my sword which is like a thunderbolt.

RAKSHASA—Be pleased, be pleased O king! Enough of endless vain efforts against the arrogance of the enemy’s army, now. And surely a woman should not be put to death.

RAVANA—Well then, get my chariot.

RAKSHASA— As the great king commands. *
(Exit and re-enter)*

Victory to the great king! Here is the chariot.

RAVANA— (Mounting the chariot)

Today Sita, you shall see Rama surrounded by gods (and) his heart beset with sharp arrows shot from my bow.

(Exit Rama with retinue)

SITA— O gods! If I have been following my lord with the faithfulness beseeming my family (tradition), may my lord be victorious.

(Exit)

END OF THE FIFTH ACT

––––––––––––––––––

ACT VI

(Then enter three Vidyadharas)

ALL— Here we are, sir, here we are.

THE FIRST—Rama is the large, bright and radiant standard of the Ikshvaku race.

THE SECOND—Rama bas aimed at the destruction of Ravana.

THE THIRD—Our minds are filled with eagerness to behold their fight.

ALL— (Hence) we have swiftly arrived (here) from the peak of the Himalayas.

THE FIRST—Chitraratha! these gods, godly sages, Siddhas. Vidyadharas, and such others are here crowded in the sky. Hence, we too, avoiding the groups of these and remaining aloof, shall freely behold the strange fight between Rama and Ravana.

BOTH— Very well.
(They do so)

THE FIRST—Lo! This battlefield is an abhoring sight. Here, indeed,
This battlefield appears like an ocean flooded with the water- like corpses of demons, full of wave-like monkey heroes, (infested) with sharp swords that are like crocodiles, and where the tides surge with the beam-like arrows of the moon-resembling, Rama.

THE SECOND—Just so.

These Rakshasa troops, their heads broken with trees and rocks, slain by blows from the fists, surrounded by the enraged monkey captains who are of great might and have their tails and ears made erect, with eyes upturned and protruding as they are strangled, and with faces fierce on account of bitten lips-are rapidly felled in the fight, like mountains by the thunderbolt of Indra.

THE THIRD— And these too, should be seen by both of you;

With sharp and bright swords, with eyes widened by rage, with shining but hideous teeth, these demons resembling blue clouds, are rushing in from all sides, with mouths gaping in their speed, desirous of slaying the troops of the leaders of the monkey host.

THE FIRST—Oh, indeed!

Arrows are showered by the Rakshasas upon the monkeys;

THE SECOND—Mountains are hurled by the monkeys upon the demons;

THE THIRD—And with blows from fists and the intertwining of knees;

ALL—Lo, a terrible and strange fight has started.

THE FIRST—Look at Ravana, both of you!

Whirling a spear of gold handle and driving the chariot, displaying bright and hideous teeth, and furious on seeing Rama, like the planet (Rahu) on beholding the full-orbed moon, lord of all the stars, on the central peak of the East Mount.

THE SECOND—Behold Rama too,—

Holding the bow in his left hand and turning a fierce good arrow by the other, himself standing on the earth and gazing at the foe seated in the chariot, just as the war-god (Kartikeya) gazes in battle at the great Krauncha mountain.

THE THIRD—Ha, ha, ha!

This spear, resembling Death and hurled by Ravana, has been split into two by the smiling archer Rama.

THE FIRST—Beholding his spear hit down, Ravana, with eyes widened by rage, is pouring a shower of arrows upon Rama.

THE SECOND—Ah, the beauty of Rama!

These arrow-showers pouring down from the cloud Ravana and falling on Rama, look like a shower of water pouring on a bull.

THE THIRD— And here, (he)

Swiftly raising his virile bow made of gold and throwing out a dreadful net-work of arrows in the van of the fight, advances on foot towards Ravana, mounted on a chariot and rushing against him like a sharp-toothed lion advancing towards a rutting tusker.

ALL—Ey, this place is lit up, as it were, with a radiance, What could this be?

THE FIRST— Ah! It is the chariot driven by Matali and sent by the great Indra, who is apprehensive, as the fight is so equal !

THE SECOND—Seeing Matali standing by his side, Rama has mounted the chariot, on his words.

THE THIRD— And he,

Being instrumental to the demon’s destruction, shines in this chariot which is the destroyer of Diti’s children and the guide for Indra’s victory and valour; just as Siva (who shone) before, at the massacre of the Three Cities.

THE FIRST—Oh, a great fight has come off!

These soldiers of the monkey-chief and the demon having given up the hurling of different weapons. stand simply gazing at the fight between the demon and the king of men, wherein the sharp arrows are swallowed by the excellent shafts.

THE SECOND—Ah, indeed!

These two seated in chariots moving round and round with warlike motion, and emitting flights of arrows, are like two Suns wandering in the sky, scorching the earth through the networks of their rays.

THE THIRD—Both of you look at Ravana also, who

Having hit down the horses with arrows of terrible speed and swiftly having attacked the banner by force, has been roaring and creating a great shower of arrows and is trying much to frighten the lord of men who is smiling.

THE FIRST— This Rama—

His body dwarfed as he stands firm repelling a charge and after taking breath a little seeing a pointed arrow with blood red eyes, and glowing like the midday Sun, the heroic lord of men is given a clear course by Matali himself; and enraged the king has fixed the unrivalled excellent missile presided over by Brahma,

THE SECOND—This missile,

Discharged by the force of Rama’s arm, its sharp edge associated with Fire and Sun, will soon come back to Rama himself, after slaying the demon king in battle.

ALL— Ah, Ravana is hit down!

THE FIRST— Seeing Ravana hit down, a shower of flowers has poured down; and these drums of gods are roaring loudly.

THE SECOND—Well, the task of the gods has been accomplished.

THE FIRST— Come along, then. We too shall greet Rama, the benefactor of all.

BOTH— Well, an excellent idea.
* (Exeunt Omnes)*

END OF THE PRELUDE

(Then enter Rama)

RAMA— Very soon having slain Ravana who was pierced by my shafts in battle today, having also made the virtuous-minded Vibhisbana lord of Lanka now, and having thus swam with both my arms across the ocean of vows of no insignificant spirited deeds (roamings of sea creatures), I shall proceed together with my relatives, to Lanka in order to console Sita.

*(Entering)*LAKSHMANA—Victory to my brother! Brother, my noble sister-in-law is approaching you here.

RAMA— Dear Lakshmana,

Because of (her) misfortune anger checks my courage now from beholding Vaidehi who has dwelt in the house of an enemy.

LAKSHMANA— As my brother commands.
* (Exit)*

*(Entering)*VIBHISHANA—Victory my lord!

Here has come by your favour, O king! that faithful wife of yours, whose misery has been removed by the valour of your arms, like the goddess Lakshmi formerly released from the demon house by your favour.

RAMA—Vibhishana, let her stay there alone; sullied by the contact of the demon, she has become a stigma on the Ikshvaku family. O Lord of Lanka, with due regard to king Dasaratha, my father, it is not proper that she should see me. Moreover,—

O king! one who prevents a person from sinking in unworthy objects of the senses is a friend; contary to this, he is a foe.

VIBHISHANA—May it please you, my lord!

RAMA— You shall not trouble me any further.

*(Entering)*LAKSHMANA—Victory to my brother! Just after hearing your intention, sister-in-law awaits your permission to enter fire.

RAMA— Lakshmana, act as per the wish of her, who is devoted to her husband.

LAKSHMANA—As my brother bids.
(Walking along)

O alas! knowing the chastity of the queen and also hearing my brother’s command, my mind, placed betwixt duty and affection, swings.

Hello, who is there?

*(Entering)*HANUMAN—Victory to the prince!

LAKSHMANA—Hanuman, if you are able (tell me what to do ;) thus orders my brother.

HANUMAN —What do you (O prince!) consider in this?

LAKSHMANA— My consideratin is in vain. Or, we are only to carry out the intention of my noble brother. We shall go, now.

HANUMAN—As the prince bids.
(Exeunt ambo)

(Entering) LAKSHMANA—May it please you, brother! Brother, a very great wonder! My noble sister-in-law. here,

Resembling almost a garland of full blown lotuses, rendering all your efforts purposeless and abandoning all hopes of life, enters swiftly into fire here, just as a female swan enters into a lotus grove.

RAMA— Realy a great wonder! Laksmana, prevent, prevent (her).

LAKSHMANA— As my brother bids.

(Entering) HANUMAN—Hail, my lord!

This pure lady, like a gold necklace, having gained contact with the purifying fire, unaffected has come out with lustre added by the flames.

RAMA— (Astonished) What, what?

LAKSHMANA—Oh, wonder !

*(Entering)*SUGRIVA—Victory, my lord?

Who indeed, is this of respectable form that has sprung out of the blazing fire, bearing Janaka’s daughter alive?

LAKSHMANA—Ey, here is the divine Fire coming just this way, leading the worthy laby.

RAMA— O, this is the Fire god! We will go to meet him.

(All go near him. Then enter Fire bearing Sita)

FIRE— This is god Narayana, Victory, my lord!

RAMA— O God! I salute you.

FIRE—You, the lord of gods, should not salute me.

O lord of kings and best of men! accept this sinless, unscathed and pure Janaki, who is respected by all the worlds.

Further,

Know this daughter of Janaka to be goddess Lakshmi; She has come to you, putting on a human body.

RAMA—Iam beholden to you.

O smoke-bannered god! it was just to convince the people, that such a thing was done by me, although I knew quite well Vaidehi’s purity.

(Behind the curtain Celestail Gandarvas sing)

Salutations to God Narayana, cause of the three worlds! Brahma is your heart, O lord of the three worlds! Rudra is your wrath. The Moon and Sun are your two eyes; the Goddess of Speech is your tongue. O lord of the gods! the three worlds together with Brahma, Indra and the Maruth hosts were created only by you, O. lord! this Sita is She (Lakshmi) who is attached to her lotus dwelling; You are Vishnu. Please accept her.

(Once again, behind the curtain others sing)

This earth which had sunk in water was raised only by You in the body of a Boar. O lord.of gods! these three worlds were encompassed by you with three strides. The gods were not e comforted before, so much by the slaying of Ravana in battle, as they have been now by you who are with your queen, putting on (human) forms of your own accord.

FIRE—Sweet-faced sir, these hosts of gods, godly sages, siddhas, vidyadharas, gandharvas and Apsarases congratulate you in accordance with their status.

RAMA—I am obliged (to them).

FIRE—Sweet-faced sir,—this way, this way for consecration, please.

RAMA— As you bid.
(Exeunt ambo)

(Behind the curtain) Victory to the lord! Victory to our master! Victory to the sweet-faced one! Victory to the great king! Victory to the destroyer of Ravana! Victory to the long-lived one!

VIBHISHANA—Here is the great king!

Having crossed the ocean of his vows in the fight, having regained today also the queen freed of sin, and having been consecrated by all the gods, he shines like the moon in a clear sky.

LAKSHMANA— Ah, the vishnuite lustre in my noble brother!

Surrounded by hosts of gods such as Yama, Varuna, Kubera, and Indra, being consecrated on the words of Dasaratha, he shines like Indra when he gained lordship over the gods.

(Then enter Rama consecrated, with Sita)

RAMA— Dear Lakshmana,

My father, after performing the auspicious cord (Pratisara) function, placed me on the throne but broke off the consecration with the desire of pleasing my mother (formerly); by the same father who went the way of fate clearly, but who is with a delighted heart to day; once again I have been blessed personally with the consecration, now.

FIRE—Sweet-faced sir, here are your subjects led by Bharata and Satrughna, come to you at the command of Mahendra.

RAMA— O god, I am extremely happy.

FIRE— These gods (nectar-eaters) such as Mahendra congratulate you.

RAMA—I am beholden to them.

FIRE—Sweet-faced sir, what further pleasing thing can I do for you?

RAMA—If your divinity is pleased with me, what further thing should I desire!

(Epilogue)

May the kine be without foulness; may the realm of the foes be subdued; may our lion-like king govern the whole of this earth.
(Exeunt omnes)

END OF THE SIXTH ACT

Here ends the Abhishekanataka

–––––––––––––––––

N O T E S
————

ACT I

Page I

अभिषेकनाटकम्—

The play is so named as it deals with the three Abhishekas of Sugriva, of Vibhishana and of Rama. नान्द्यन्तेततः & c—Note the repetition of the idea in अन्ते and ततः in this stage direction which occurs at the very outset in all Bhasa plays. The Sutradhara comes on the stage after the Nandiis over as a private function. नान्दी is derived from नन्द् to rejoice. of. नन्दन्ति काव्यानि कवीन्द्रवर्गः कुशीलवाः पारिषदाश्च सन्तः। यस्मादलं सज्जनसिन्धुहंसी तस्मादियं सा कथितेह नान्दी॥— नाट्यप्रदीपे। सूत्रधारः, Stage-manager; of. नाट्यस्य यदनुष्ठानं तत्सूत्रं स्यात्सबीजकम् रङ्गदैवतपूजाकृत् सूत्रधार इति स्मृतः॥ Sl. 9. गाधिपुत्रः = विश्वामित्रः Gadhi’s son.

[This sloka is a benediction It refers to the several heroic deeds of Rama. Even before his marriage, Rama went to guard the sacrific of Visvamitra and killed the demoness Tataka and scared Maricha, who came to disturb the sacrifice.(Balakanda). During his exile in the forest, on the way to Panchavati, he killed a powerful Rakshasa named Viradha. While in Panchavati he slayed Khara, the half brother and one of the generals of Ravana, and Dushana, and another general, in a battle which came up after Surpanakha was defaced by Lakshmana. After Sita’s abduction by Ravana, during their wanderings in the forest both Rama and Lakhmana were attacked by a headless demon called Kabandha whom they killed. This Kabandha was at first a heavenly being; but cursed by a sage, he became a demon and was very troublesome to many. So, Indra gave a blow on his head with his Vajrayudha, as a result of which, his head sank into his trunk. When he was killed by Rama, his curse ended and he advised Rama to form friendship with Sugriva who would help him in finding out Sita (Aranya Kanda). The next heroic act of Rama (Kishkindha Kanda) is his slaying Valin for obliging Sugriva a Sharanagata, and not because of any personal offence by him. Valin was a mighty ape and by virtue of a boon, could not be slain by any one in a face to face fight. Knowing this, Rama slayed him by shooting an arrow at him, unseen. Even such a Pracchanna- Vadha, he did not hesitate to do, to do a good turn to his शरणागत. of. तरणिसुत-शरणागतिपरतन्त्रीकृतस्वातन्त्र्य in the रघुवीरगद्य; the note by Vedanta Desika in his अभयप्रदानसार ch III on “सूक्ष्मः परमदुर्ज्ञेयः सतां धर्मः प्लवङ्गम”; also the episode of सुमालिनिग्रह which is a पराङ्मुखवध in the Ramayana, Uttara, ch 8.Rama would never let down any one, even an enemy, if he was a शरणागत. That is how eyen Vibhishana was taken in by Rama, in spite of protests from Sugriva and others. Finally (in the Yuddhakanda) Rama kills the great demon-king Ravana in a terrific fight with him. The benedictory sloka recounts all the deeds of Rama. This play begins with the episode of the Valivadha and concludes with that of the Ravanavadha.]

एवमार्यमिश्रान्….these lines occur in the prologues of mcst of Bhasa’s plays. पारिपार्श्वक—an assistant actor- sl.2. With line 1, of. Pratijna IV 23; Pancha II 21. The cry was of Sugriva and was heard rolling on like the roaring soundof a thunder. एष खलु—the three विशेषणाऽ of रामस्य have their parallels in the three of सुग्रीव . दाराभि… कृतस्य = “expelled from his country for having had carnal contact with the wife (of his elder brother Valin)”. But a parallel to this we do not see in Rama. Hence the meaning “expelled from the company of his wife” is to be adopted. …. परस्परोपकार………. suggests a प्रतीकारसन्धि. of. कामन्दक. sl. 3. Formerly Indra had lost his position for a year, when Nahusha officiated. But, by his misbehaviour, Nahusha got cursed by a sage and fell down to the earth. Then Indra was to be reinstated. It is probably to this occasion that Bhasa refers here.

Mention is made here of the characters coming upon the stage at the commencement of the actual play. This device is called प्रयोगातिशय. स्थापना is the name used by Bhasa for the prologues of his plays. These are marked for beingvery brief and for the absence of any mention of the names of either the poet or his patron.

Page 2

. sl. 5 recounts the test Rama underwent to convince Sugriva of his capacity to kill Valin. / 17. सोपस्नेहतया……..of.प्रतिमाii. sl. 7.नादेन …. of. I 2; but sl. 8. which is actually what Sugriva roars out to invite Valin, breathes a very noble and affectionate sentiment. Sugriva is not quite at fault in taking Valin’s wife because he believed then that Valin was dead. Yet Valin had expelled him from his country.sl. 10. नालं मामभिमुखमेत्य refers to the fact that Valin could not be slain by any one in a face to face fight, by virtue of a boon to him. / 19. अस्य जनस्य–seeing that argument with Valin is no good, Tara asks for a personal favour, as it were. sl. 11. Valin speaks of his great might here. His taking the leading part in the अभृतमन्थनis not told in any of the popular Puranas. Page 4. हं मम वशनुवर्तिनी भव—the wife, in Bhasa’s times, had to obey the husband so implicitly that even a queen had no voice in matters other than purely household. of. Pratijna II. sl. 12 म़़ञ्चक्षुष्पथमासाध—Valin expects only an अभिमुखयुद्ध. l9. Note Sugriva’s respect for his elder brother, even when he has gone to fight with him. sl. 14. Lakshmana does not like Sugriva’s fighting with his own elder brother. That is why he says वानरत्वात् and सतां विहाय वृत्तम्.Page5. / 4 परिवीत—परि+वि+ई+त्त्क=hit down.This roof is rarely used in classical literature. / 5 शरे नामश्क्षरणि—*of.*पंचरात्र III 18. It was customary to inscribe the name of the warrior on the arrows he used. / 8 व्यपगतधर्मसंशयेन—Valin admits first that Rama has a correct insight into right and wrong, which is difficult to comprehend for an ordinary person. of. सूक्ष्मः परमदुर्ज्ञेयः सतां धर्मः प्लवंगम—Ramayana. From sl. 17 to / 8 in page 6, we have the discussion of Valin with Rama relating to the justification of Rama’s committing a प्रच्छन्नवध.Rama’s defence is twofold—1. Valin is a भृगand can be killed in any manner by persons allowed to hunt; and 2. Valin deserves death punishment for seducing his younger brother’s wife, an act not permitted even in exceptional cases. A more convincing defence of Rama’s position is given in the note on sl 1 above. sl. 22-Sugriva’s feelings at the death of his brother. / 15. Valin has already forgiven the offence of Sugriva. sl. 25 Valin, with the arrow piercing his heart, is compared to the Krauncha mountain which was assailed by the weapon शत्त्किby Guha, otherwise called स्कन्द, the general of the gods. क्रौञ्च is said to be the son of मैनाक son of हिमवान्.

Page 7

. / 4 शरवरपरित्रीतं —see note on P 5 / 4. / 11 कुलप्रवालं-अङ्गदम् . Note Valin’s fondness for his son Angada who is the only hair to succeed even Sugriva who has no issues. / 15. हेममाला — the gold neck-lace which is the family heir-loom of Valin. // 17 & 18 – In Bhasa’s plays water is frequently brought on the stage; and rapid action is usual as evidenced by the stage direction निष्क्रभ्य, प्रविश्य which allows no time for the actor. // 19 ff. Death is actually staged by Bhasa. of. Pratima II & Urubhanga. The first act concludes with the अभिषेक of सुग्रीव.

————————

ACT II

[After the events of the previous Act, Sugriva sends his monkey chiefs in all directions to search for Sita and bring news of her. After a vain search for a month, all return except Angada and his party. Hanuman, a member of this party, has just gone to Lanka on the words of the eagle Sampathi and found Sita there. The dramatist wishes to relate these incidents by means of a conversation between two characters and then begin the Act proper. This conversation here forms an Interlude (Misra Vishkambhaka) as one of the characters (viz. Kakubha) speaks Sanskrit and the other (viz. Bilamukha) Prakrit. Kakubha is a soldie belonging to Angada’s troop, while Bilamukha is a servant of Sugriva, ordered to find out the where-abouts of Angada and his troops, who have failed to return to Kishkindha within the prescribed period. Bilamukha chances to meet Kakubha on the sea-shore and learns from him that Hanuman has just leapt across the ocean to Lanka and that as such, their task is almost completed.

The regular Act opens with the scene of the Asokavana where Sita is surrounded by demonesses. This is a very short scene which consists of a brief soliloquy of Sita. Next Hanuman is introduced as just entering Lanka. He moves through every part of Lanka in vain. Finally, surveying from the top of a palace, he notices the Asokavana. Then he enters the garden and finds Sita there.

In Sanskit dramas, unity of time and place should strictly be adhered to in an Act. But in this play, as in the Pancha, Bhasa has deviated from this rule. Hanuman has been made to move through Lanka, which means that the scene of action has to change accordingly, Hanuman could have been brought to the Asokavana directly and then made to give out in a soliloquy, what he had done in Lanka till then. Such a procedure would have been in conformity with the rules of dramaturgy. Of course, scholars who feel that Bbasa is not an ancient writer may argue that the unity of place is maintained even here, in as much as all the action of this Act is in Lanka only.]

** Page 9.**/14अहो…. How excellent is the lay out of Ravana’s mansions. / 13 विमानhas several meanings- Disrespect; a measure; a heavenly car; a palace with seven stories; a horse. / 14 . P. 10. sl. 5 & 6. 9. Description of Moonrise. 10-17 Only after hearing Description of the Asokavana. sl. Ravana; cf iv 15. Page 11. sl. 11. Sita in the Asokavana. Il 15 f. Ravana’s words, Hanuman confirms his surmise that the lady there is Sita. 21 Sita’s contempt for Ravana. sl. 15 & 16. reveal the character of Hanuman. Page 12. 7. -whole-heartedly. 11. –Sita curses Ravana, but what exactly the curse is, one cannot see. Sl. 18 however indicates clearly Ravana’s embarassment after the curse. At this stage, Bhasa cleverly takes Ravana away from the scene, lest further talk with Sita may lead to an undesirable turn of events. Ravana’s death within a month after this is significant. This episode of Sita’s cursing Ravana answers the reader’s natural feel. ing that Sita must have cursed Ravana, one time or the other. cf. a similar situation in the Pratimu P. 300. lines 20 ff. v 19-20. () As in the Ramayana, here also Ravana meets Sita at night as evidenced by Hanuman’s observation !’; but when Ravana leaves the Asokavana it is “10 nadikas full and the bathing time passing “. This should “10 nadikus after midnight” when the which is just the time for bathing. cf. for a similar passage. Page 13.20 therefore mean has set in 177 -Bhasa is very fond of this word and uses it in almost all his plays. ….cf. vi 23 cd. and Pratijna ii 7. Page 14. च मिव— words uttered not aloud.What Hanuman says to Sita, here, is not clear. /3. अकरुणाः repeated in Svapna. (P 21/4 & P 46/1.) 8. किन्तु खलु मया स्वप्नो दृष्टः— ofSvapna एवं मया स्वप्नो दृष्टः (P 49 / 2). sl. 24 यथा देहान्तरं गता of. the belief that Sita migrated into another body when Ravana abducted her away and that she got back her real form only after the अग्निप्रवेश. // 20 ff. Hanuman being an able and farsighted minister, is particular of knowing Ravana in person and gauge the strength of his army, efficiency of his ministers etc. Hence to achieve all this, he now
adopts a course quite becoming of a hero.

___________________________

ACT III

[After the incidents of the II Act, the Asokavana is almost destroyed by Hanuman. The audience are informed of this through the conversation between Sankukarna and the portress Vijaya, which would have formed a misra vishkambhaka but for the fact that Ravana’s anxiety is to be represented by making him personally hurry up to Sankukarna, as he is informed only briefly by Vijaya of the happenings.]

Page 15./ 3.क इह……… of. Svapna vi. / 4. विजयाis the portiess also in the Pratima & Svapna. /5 निवेद्यतां & c of. अभिज्ञातशाकुन्तल iv 9, which is very similar to this in idea as well as expression. /12 /15. occur in पञ्चरात्र (P 22 /17 also.) /17. Strangely enough, Ravana appears on the stage, as soon as विजयाleaves to inform him of the happenings. This is another instance of the quick action of the type निष्क्रम्य प्रविश्य / 24. नववाक्य because never before had Ravana heard such news relating to himself. **Page 16. /**3 कयं वानरेणेति (of. sl. 11); he is probably reminded of the curse by.नन्दी. /3 to / 7. The relation of the fight between हनूमान्and thedemons is very similar to that of the fight of अभिमन्युandउत्तर in the पञ्चरात्र ii. / 13. निष्क्रम्य, प्रविश्य— see note on/ 18p 7. / 21 अनन्तरीयं— next, entire. of. iv p. 29 /12. P. 17 sl. 7 of. पञ्चरात्र ii / 11.इन्द्रजित्— Ravana’s son मेघनाद. Indra’s conqueror. [When Ravana warred against Indra in his own heaven, his son Meghanada was with him, and fought most valiantly During the combat, Meghanada by virtue of the magical power of becoming invisible which he had obtained from Siva, bound Indra, and bore him off in triumph to Lanka. Brahma and other gods hurried thither to obtain his release, and gave Meghanada the title of Indrajit, conqueror of Indra, but the victor refused to release his prisoner unless he was promised immortality. Brahma refused to grant his extravagant demand, but he strenuously persisted, and achieved his object. In the Ramayana he is represented to have been decapitated by Lakshmana while he was engaged in a sacrifice,] Sl. 9 of. हतोपि लभते स्वर्गं जित्वा तु लभते यशः॥ कर्णभार 12. P / 18 4. वानरः—Ravana is evidently reminded of the curse of नन्दी, once again. **sl 12—**The occasion when Ravana was cursed, in his own words. [After conquering Kubera when Ravana was returning in his Pushpakavimana, it stopped near the Sharavanavana, the birith place of Shanmukha. Then Nandi came to Ravana and advised him not to fly that way as Siva was sporting with Parvati on the Kailasa. But Ravana laughed at it and ridiculed him for his monkey face. At this Nandin cursed him saying “You will meet with destruction only through the monkeys.” See Ramayana. Uttar. 16] / 17.निविण्णमिव…… Ravana reads the feeling of Vibhishana by looking at his face. This characteristic feature is found in most of Bhasa’s characters. e.g. Rama, P25 / 9 Abhi; प्रतिमाv р 294 भा. चक्रे. and Sita 295 op cit./25 Hanuman talks to Ravana on terms of equality. Page 19 //3 f. of.पञ्चरात्र ii. sl 17. Ravana recounts his past heroic achievements. /26 Hanuman’s question corners Ravana, as he had actually stolen away Sita like a coward in the absence of Rama. Page 20. sl. 18 clearly shows that Vibhishana is in sympathy with Rama, whom Ravana considers a foe. sl. 19 Vibhishana forecasts the total destruction of the entire demon-race by the folly of Ravana. sl. 20 Ravana contrasts himself with Rama. / 12 & sl. 21. Hanuman now addresses Ravana by name, which irritates Ravana in / 18 अथवा दूतवधः….. Ravana’s sense of dharma. / 21 In Bhasa’s plays this expression ‘अथवा एहि तावत्’ calling back a person after sending him away is very common of. पञ्चरात्र ii ( P 26/17) sl 22 यदि तेऽस्ति धनुःश्लाघा of. प्रतिमा i 20. Ravana’s message to Rama inviting him for a battle. Page 21/8. विवक्षा—वक्तुम इच्छा. हितमन्तरेण-हितमुद्दिश्य /13. विप्रतिपत्त्य. of. P. 28/18./20 for a similar conjuring of. प्रतिमा iv 24. sl 24 Ravana is now convinced that Vibhi-is siding Rama; hence orders for expelling him from Lanka, in sl 25. P. 22./1. कोऽत्र Although Ravana calls an attendant, none turns up; yet Ravana orders for Vibhishana’s expulsion. sl 26 Vibhishana’s advice to his elder brother & प्रयामि न च दोषवान् of. i8 above. sl 27 Vibhishana proclaimshere his intention to save the demon-race by seeking Rama’s protection.

________________________

ACT IV

[Angada’s troops and Hanuman have returned to Kishkindha, with news of Sita, There upon, Sugriva has ordered all his troops to be prepared to march against Ravana. This information is given to the audience by means of a brief conversation in Sanskrit between the Monkey Chamberlain and the Monkey General, which forms a Suddha Vishkanbhaka.]

** Sl**. 1. धर्मसमयं— anestablished rule or practice of virtuous conduct. sl 2 the forest track between किष्किन्धा and the ocean. sl. 3 the sea; of. ii 9. sl 5 Vibhishana appears in the sky and is mistaken for an enemy by Sugriva. Lines 1 & 2 describe the personality of Vibhi. sl. 6 Even Hanuman fails to recognise him and instructs the monkeys to be on the alert. **P 24. /12 But Rama shows firmness and no fear. Probably, he is glad that a demon has come to him, be it with any motive. sl. 7 // 1-2 Vibhi. recounts his relationship with Ravana of such greatness. /3. शरणगतं— the word is significant. /4 & किं वक्ष्यतीति….. of. Svepna vi 4 &15.sl 8 Vibhi. dismisses all fear of being rejected by Rama. of. i 17. P 25of 1ff Hanuand Vibhi. recognise each other and the former takes on him the task of introducing the latter to Rama. / 6 of रामऽends लक्ष्मणto bring विभीषण. The younger brother of राम receiving the younger brother of रावणis significant. Note the readiness of राम in welcoming a शरणगत, even though he may be an enemy. sl. 10 हनुमान् gives out his opinion of विभीषण. //16–18. It is strange that both विभीषणand लक्ष्मण easily recognise each other although they meet for the very first time. sl 11 विभीषणा’s estimate of राम. / 27 राम confers lordship of Lanka on विभीषण here, although he is actually consecrated after Ravana is killed in the battle; see vi 19. P 26./2…. सिद्धमस्मत्कार्यम् & c.Note the rapid action of the play. sl 12 Rama rises up expressing his determination to shoot at the ocean. Even before he fixes his arrow on the bow, Varuna appears in person. In the Ramayana, Varuna’s appearance is only when Rama is about to shcot. sl. 13 d. Varuna too approaches राम only as a शरणगत. sl 14 Varuna recognises Rama as Vishnu in human form. of. कुमारसंभव i 57. sl. 15

of iv 3. P. 27 /2 Varuna reveals at first Rama’sidentity with Vishnu but soon (sl. 16) realises that the business on hand is of राम inhuman form. /6 एष मार्गःa passage, is allowed in the form of divided waters. This divergence from the epic story is very striking and conspicuous in as much as the famous रामसेतु built by the monkeys is substituted by the miracle of divided waters, as when वसुदेव had to cross the यमुनाriver, with the infant Krishna in his hands. sl. 17 the ocean as it looked at the time रामand his party walked across it through the passage allowed by वरुण. Contrast this with iv 3 which is also a description of the same ocean viewed from the sea-shore. sl 18 Even रामis struck with the beauty of लङ्का and is sorry that it has to rnn to ruin just as a ship wrecks by the folly of its pilot. P 28सुवेल=त्रिकूटmountain. // 2-3 It is strange that Sugriva orders Nila who is absent from the scene to do something, as also Nila’s coming upon the scene only to accept the order of his master. / 4 पुस्तकप्रामाण्य— Registers containing the names and other details relating to every soldier of the army; of. पञ्चरात्र (P 3/1). Evidently perfect and systematic records were being maintained in the Military, even in Bhasa’s times. /3 निष्क्रम्य प्रविश्य; & ii8-9 निष्क्रान्तः, ततः प्रविशति & c— fndicate very rapid action. /11 आर्यकुमुदस्य— Kumuda is the name of a monkey-general. sl 19. Vibhi says this even when the matter is not referred to him. स्वसैनिका— स्व here refers to Rama’s party as a whole to which Vibhi. now belongs. स्व is not “my” here. p. 29 sl. 21 Note रामा’s nobility and gracefulness. /6 see n. p 20 /21. sl. 22 रामा’s message to रावण in reply to his (iii 22 ). /12 अनन्तरीयं see p 16 / 21. sl. 23 a grand deescription of the setting sun.

ACT V

[The battle between the two armies of Rama and Ravana has come up and most of the demon heroes are slain. Even Indrajit has gone to the front. Ravana persists in continuing the battle at all costs and is not prepared to restore Sita to Rama, On the other hand Ravana has ordered for faked models of the heads of Rama and Lakshmana. This is revealed by the conversation in Sanskrit between the demon chamberlain and Vidyujjihva, which forms a Suddha Vishkambhaka.]

P. 30/ 3 प्रबालतोरणद्वारम्………see note on p.15/3./6 of. आ.चूडामणिv. sl1 of. iv 3. lines 8-18 reveal theकाञ्चुकीया’s estimate of Ravana. P. 31/4 f. the bad omens are indicative of the sad but false news of the death of her husband and Lakshmana, which Ravana is going to relate to her after showing her the faked models which appear very much like the heads of the two persons reported by him as slain by Indrajit. While experiencing the bad omens, Sita feels delighted at heart. This is to indicate that the above sad episode with Ravana is going to end with very happy news to Sita. sl. 4-5. Ravana fancies Royal Fortune deserting him and going to Rama. At first he tries to persude her to stop but feels that it is a cowardly act; so allows her to go, warning her in a’confident tone, that she will be seized once again by force. * Allusion*—Lanka was originally occupied by Kubera, but Ravana ousted him from it and made it his own capital. //17-22 effects of मन्मथ on रावण. P. 32 /1 रावणक diminutive form of रावण. Sita laughs at the foolishness of Ravana’s statement. //3-9 Ravana shows the faked models to Sita and tells her that they are the heads of रामand लक्ष्मणऽlain by इन्द्रजित्in the battle. He also foolishly expects that she can be persuaded for a widow re-marriage with him. But Sita cannot bear the sight of what appear to be the severed heads of her husband and लक्ष्मणand falls down unconscious. // 18-21 a good instance of पताकास्थान—a dramatic irony. See Avi. (p. 41) & Pratijna II. Here it is a Verbal irony consisting of the remarks of a charactor ‘which the audience with their fuller knowledge of facts, can interpret in two ways while the speaker himself is quite unconscious of any secondary point in his words.’ Dramatic irony, a very effective dramatic device, is of 4kinds viz, comic, trajic, verbal and the irony of situation.] I 24. अतिपति…cf.p. 15 I 15. P 33 sl. 11 clearly contradicts’s statement in sl 8 above. sl 12 रावणvehemently questions the veracity of the demon reporting इन्द्रजित् s death. I7 cf. पञ्चरात्र (p. 281); बालचरित II (P 20I7) sl. 13 cfप्रतिमाii4. I20 Yama was afraid of approaching रावणwho now questions the former, as it were, whether he still continued to fear him. 25 नेपथ्ये&c. seeing that all thegreat warriors such as and कुम्भकर्ण and इन्द्रजित्are slain, the demon soldiers are fleeing away from the battle-field and their general is persuading them not to run away in a cowardly manner.P. 34 sl. 16 heroism of रावण.I17 अनिष्टानि…. Sita’s curse, as it were. I23. अवश्यं च….the demon’s intervention cf. विभीषणा’s (p. 29 I 13) P. 35. ईश्वराः&c. Sita’s prayer to the gods for the victory of her husband.

–––––––––

ACT VI

[Ravana goes to fight with Rama in the battle-field. A terrific fight comes up between them, which is described very vividly by three Vidyadharas in the prelude to this Act.]

Sl. 1 is a split verse. Bhasa is fond of using suchverses; of. प्रतिमाiii 1; पञ्चi 57. sl 2. Warfield compared to an ocean. sl. 3 d. वज्र—इन्द्रा’s (thunder-bolt) weapon made of the bones of दधीच, by which he chopped the wings of the mountains. sl. 4 demons attack the monkey forces. sl. 5 is like vii, a split verse and graphically describes the fight. sl.16 रावण in fighting mood. उदयशिखरि— the mountain supposed to be at the eastern horizon, behind which the sun and moon appear to rise. **sl.**7 राम in his fighting pose. क्रौञ्च यथा &c. see note on i 24. sl. 8 the fight begins. **sl.**9-11 the fight between रामon foot and रावणin his chariot. sl. 12 राम in इन्द्र’s chariot driven by मातलि. त्रिपुरवधाय—मय had built three cities of gold, silver and iron in the sky, air and earth for demons. At the request of the gods, शिवburnt down these cities with their inhabitants. **sl.**13-17 the fight. Note the metre suggestive of the manner of the fight. **sl.**18 Rejoicing in the heavens at रावण’s death. P. 39प्रतिज्ञार्णव— the vow of promise to free the sages of their troubles from demons by slaying Ravana. of. आश्चर्यचूडामणिvii 11. sl. 20 क्षय— house. राम is reluctant to see सीता for two reasons– 1. long separation between himself and सीता; and 2. her stay in the house of his enemy. /10 note the implicit obedience of . sl. 22 gives राम’s definition of a true friend. While विभीषण is trying to advocate the cause of सीता before राम, लक्ष्मण has informed सीता of राम’s attitude and she has decided to throw herself into fire with राम’s permission. / 22 प्रतिव्रतायाः…. This is ample to show that राम has no doubt of her purity; only the points mentioned in sl 20 prevent him from accepting her. sl. 23 धर्मस्नेहान्तरे…. of. p. 13 / 20 & प्रतिज्ञा ii 7. / 8 आश्चर्यमाश्वर्यम् of. आ. चूडामणि vii sl. 24 सीता enters into the pyre gladly. sl. 25 सीता’s appearance after the अग्निप्रवेश. I 25 Rama salutes the Fire god who recognises राम as the great नारायणin P 41/1; but it is significant that he immediately addresses him राजेन्द्र and पुरुषोत्तम in sl. 27 just as वरुण did in p. 27 // 2-3 (iv). sl. 28 अग्नि reveals that सीता is goddess लक्ष्मी. of राघवत्वेऽभवत्सीता रुक्मिणी कृष्णजन्मनि। अन्येषु चायतारेषु विष्णोरेषानपायिनी॥sl. 29 रामा’s explanation as to why he allowed सीता’s अग्निप्रवेश. sl. 30-31. राम is clearly identified with नारायण. The गान is similar to that in the आश्चर्यचूडामणि sl. 32 प्रतिज्ञार्णव of. vi 19. sl. 33 of. आ.चूडामणिv13. sl. 34 The circumstances in which रामis consecrated on the seashore alone is very significant. Even Bharata arrives there to participate in the rejoicing occasion.

]