365bet

Dasarupaka (critical study)

by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words

This page relates ‘Sentiments (rasa) used in a Nataka� of the English study of the Dasarupaka of Dhananjaya: an important work on Hindu dramaturgy (Natya-shastra) from the tenth century dealing with the ten divisions of Sanskrit drama (nata), describing their technical aspects and essential dramaturgical principals. These ten types of drama are categorised based on the plot (vastu), hero (neta) and sentiment (rasa)

Part 9 - Sentiments (rasa) used in a ṭa첹

According to the ṭyśٰ and the Daśarūpaka, the sentiments like heroic (ī) or erotic (śṛṅ) should be the main sentiments and others should be the subordinate sentiments in a ṭa첹. Since the ѳܻṣa has a political plot; the main sentiment is the heroic (ī) sentiment.

The heroic (ī) sentiment:

The heroic (ī) sentiment is prevalent in the entire drama. For example: in prologue (), the heroic sentiment is depicted through the words of ṇaⲹ, � ka eṣa mayi sthite candraguptambhibhavitumicchati� (ѳܻṣa, Telang, p.60) after the stage manager recites the verse; �ū…�..󾱲󲹱ٳܳ󲹳پ� (ѳܻṣa, I.6). Then in the first act, it is reflected through Candanadāsa’s fearless words towards ṇaⲹ that whatever you want to do, please do, I would not return ṣa’s family to you and this is my firm resolve, � kim me bhayam darśayasi…Ħna samarpayāmi kim punarasantam�..bāḍhameṣa dhīro me Ծśⲹ�� (ѳܻṣa, Telang, p.101). Again, in the third act, it is reflected when Candragupta says that the literates too are boasting, in answer to ṇaⲹ that “the illiterate believe in fate�. ṇaⲹ gets angry and says that he wants again to loosen the knot of hair though it is tied up now and eager to pledge upon another vow (śikhām moktum…Ħmama krodhadahanam–III. 29)�.

The pathetic (첹ṇa) sentiment:

The pathetic (첹ṇa) sentiment is depicted when Candanadāsa says, that “Oh child, when death is sure, die in doing a service to a friend, (ٲ, śⲹ bhavitavye vināśe mitrakārye samudvahamāne śԳܲ󲹱峾 -ѳܻṣa, Telang, p.302). The pathetic sentiment is depicted again in the seventh act, when Candanadāsa is taken for hanging by ṇḍ and his wife cries for help; the scene is heart-rending. For instance, his son says, “Need this be said, father? This is our family-rule. (ٲ, kimidamapi bhaṇitavyam. ܱ󲹰� 󲹱ṣo’s첹 -ѳܻṣa, Telang, p.302).

The furious (raudra) sentiment:

Further, the furious (raudra) sentiment is depicted in the third act. For instance, when a quarrel was started between ṇaⲹ and Candragupta, at the time of “Kaumudīmahotsava�, ṇaⲹ gets angry, because of the words of Candragupta that the literates too boast in answer to ṇaⲹ that the illiterates alone believe in fate. Getting this answer from Candragupta, ṇaⲹ becomes furious which is described by Candragupta as dzٲ貹Ի徱貹ṣm…�dhārita� pādaghāta�� (III.30). Again, when Malayaketu gets some false message from ṣa貹ṇa첹 that his father is killed by ṣa, through poison-maid (ṣa-첹Բ), he becomes furious and says, �mitram mamedamiti…Ħnanu rākṣasa rākṣosa’si (V. 5)�. The terrible (󲹲Բ첹) sentiment is depicted in the first act, when ṇaⲹ calls Candanadāsa through the pupiland Candanadāsa comments �cāṇakye akaruṇe…�śṅk kim punarmama ٲdoṣasya (.21)�.

The low laughter () sentiment:

The low laughter () sentiment is just reflected in the first act, through the conversation between the pupil Śṅg and Nipuṇaka and again in the fifth act, through the conversation between ٳ󲹰첹 and ṣa貹ṇa첹.

The erotic (śṛṅ) sentiment:

The erotic (śṛṅ) sentiment is also just reflected in the second act, when Virādhagupta, the spy of both ṣa and ṇaⲹ, comes to ṣa as a snake charmer. Looking towards ṣa he fantasizes how this ṣa is afraid of and slowly coming under Maurya, like goddess of wealth, has her creeper-like left arm twined loosely round his neck (vāmām bāhulatām niveśya…Ħvāmetaram śrī� stanam � II. 12), but these two sentiments are not applied so effectively, I think because of the absence of leading female character.

The marvellous (adbhuta) sentiment:

Again, the marvellous (adbhuta) sentiment is depicted in the seventh act, when ṣa surrenders before his friend Candanadāsaand ṇaⲹ.

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: