Dasarupaka (critical study)
by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words
This page relates ‘Prahasana rules� 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 3-6 - Prahasana rules
Rules of the ṭyśٰ:
In the ṭyśٰ (XX. 8-9, 99-104, XXI.44), Bharata defines that
1) Prahasana is of two varieties, i.e. pure (śܻ) and mixed (ṃkīṇa).
2) The pure type should have the characters like Mendicants, Sages, Brahmins and others. Their conversation should be humorous, which is usually used by low and mean persons.
3) The mocking words can be used in abundance, but there should be proper language and behavior. It should have planned and purposeful plot full of humour and emotion.
4) The mixed type should have the characters like courtesans, paramour, eunuch, lecher, rogueand harlots. They should be recognized from their flashy and colourful costume. There activities are also bizarre and courageous.
5) One could use the things related to the worldly behavior and connection with fraud in the Prahasana, where the rogue and parasite engage in quarrel.
6) In Prahasana, a poet can use ancillaries of the īٳī as per requirement.
7) The Prahasana should be composed without using gay style (첹śīṛtپ).
8) The Prahasana should have two junctures, i.e. Opening (mukha) and Conclusion (Ծṇa)and also verbal style (īṛtپ).
Rules of the Daśarūpaka:
In Daśarūpaka (III.54-56), ٳԲñᲹⲹ states that
1) Farce (prahasana) is similar with ṇa (tadvat) in plot, juncture, gentle dance, act and style should contain is of three types, i.e. regular (śܻ), modified (ṛt) and mixed (ṃkṇa).
2) The regular one contains heretics (ṣaṇḍī), Brahmins (vipra), servants (ŧٲ), serving maid (ṭ�) and parasites (ṭa).
3) It should be full of humour and with appropriate costume and language.
4) The modified type of Prahasana contains eunuchs, chamberlains and ascetics.
5) It should have the language and dress like those of desired persons.
6) The mixed Prahasana follows some characteristics of the īٳīand is having the characters like rogues etc.
7) The Prahasana should include the six fold of comic sentiment.
Difference between the rules of the ṭyśٰ and those of the Daśarūpaka:
1) Bharata states Prahasana to be only of two types (śܻ and ṃkīṇa) but ٳԲñᲹⲹ states it to be of three types adding modified (ṛt) with pure (śܻ) and mixed (ṃkīṇa).
2) Bharata includes Viṭa and servant like characters in the mixed type of Prahasana, whereas ٳԲñᲹⲹ includes them in pure type of Prahasana. Therefore, ٳԲñᲹⲹ states that the mixed should have the ancillaries of Vīthī and filled with rouges. Bharata states that Bhāratīvṛtti should be implemented in the Prahasana; however, ٳԲñᲹⲹ completes this saying �tadvat�, means Prahasana should follow ṇa in plot, juncture, act, style and gentle dance, but Bharata did not mention about the act and gentle dance.
3) Bharata has not mentioned the six type of comic sentiments, stated by ٳԲñᲹⲹ, which are to be implemented in the Prahasana.
4) ٳԲñᲹⲹ states that īٳⲹṅg should be implemented in the mixed type of Prahasana, but Bharata states that they should be implemented only in the suitable cases.
Rules followed by the Mattavilāsa Prahasana:
1) The Mattavilāsa Prahasana of Mahendravarman is a pure (śܻ) type of Prahasana.
2) Bharata accepts that the pure (śܻ) type of Prahasana should have the characters like Brahmin, sages and mendicants. However, ٳԲñᲹⲹ states that ascetics, eunuchs and chamberlains should be in the modified (ṛt) type of Prahasana. The Mattavilāsa Prahasana contains the characters like mendicants (첹), Buddhist monk (岵Բ) and mad man (Unmattaka), therefore, according to Bharata, the Mattavilāsa is a pure type of Prahahasana and according to ٳԲñᲹⲹ, it is a modified type of Prahasana.
3) In the pure (śܻ) type of Prahasana, the language and behavior should not be vulgar and should be full of humour. The Mattavilāsa Prahasana is a descent type of Prahasana by Mahendraverman. It is the story of ñ Street. The story involves both Buddhist and Śaivite characters. There is no vulgarity in its language and behavior. It is a simple comedy.
4) The plot of the Mattavilāsa Prahasana describes deceits and arrogant deeds such as the involvement of a mad man and the interference of another man.
5) The plot draws from the worldly affairs such as quarrel for a bowl by two mendicants. Both Bharata and ٳԲñᲹⲹ accept the use of īٳⲹṅg in Prahasana. However, their opinions are different. ٳԲñᲹⲹ states that the ٳⲹṅg should be used for mixed (ṃkīṇa) type of Prahasana; but Bharata states that it can be used in any type of Prahasana as per necessity.
The īٳⲹṅg are thirteen in number, i.e.,
- Speech with a hidden meaning (ܻ岵ٲⲹ첹),
- Unexpected turn (avalagitam),
- Unworthy Praise (貹ñ),
- Triple explanation (trigatam),
- Deception (chalam),
- Witty retort (ī),
- Out–vying (adhibalam),
- Abrupt remark (ṇḍ),
- Re-interpretation (avasyandita),
- Riddle (),
- Incoherent talk (ٱ貹),
- Humourous speech (),
- Euphemism (ṛd).
The Mattavilāsa Prahasana has used five types of ٳⲹṅg like:
Unworthy praise (貹ñ) �
It has applied unworthy praise, as 첹, Satyasoma, gives compliment to his companion Devasomā that she has gained a rare elegance because of her austerities.
�priye devasome! satyametat, tapasā kāmarūpatā…ĦĦrūpātiśaya� kṣaṇāt پ貹ԲԲ��
–Mattavilāsa, Unni, p.38.
Incoherent talk (ٱ貹) �
It has applied incoherent talk, in the form of madman speaking that the ocean sitting on the back of a domestic pig, reached up to the sky, crushed 屹ṇa and seized the sea monster
�峾ū첹ܳⲹ Բܳٱ貹پٱԲ…Ħ�ṭoٰ첹 iva�
–Mattavilāsa, Unni, pp.55-6
Euphemism (ṛd) �
It has applied euphemism, as 첹 criticizes about the practice of the Buddhist monk and says to Devasomā that these wrong doers are tormenting and forcing junior fellows to practice celibacy, even as they are putting restrictions on their general behavior.
�nakhalu te …Ħ�ṇiԲ� 貹śⲹԳپ�
–Mattavilāsa, Unni, p.40).
Coincidence (avalagitam) �
It has applied coincident as 첹 knows that their begging bowl is lost and was in deep thought that it may have been taken by the street dog or by any Buddhist monk. At the same time, a Buddhist monk enters hiding something under the upper cloth, which creates suspicion in the mind of 첹 and Devasomā.
�priye! tarkayāmi śūlyamāṃsagarbhatvācchunā vā śākyabhikṣuṇ� veti�
�Mattavilāsa, Unni, p.43.
Humorous conversation (ī) �
It applies humorous conversation, as the conversation between 첹 and Śⲹṣu creates a good humour, ī (Mattavilāsa, Unni, pp.45-54).
In addition to these īⲹṅg, the Mattavilāsa betrays the Prahasana elements; i.e. upapatti and . The best example is the claim of 첹 that Buddhists have compiled their scriptures stealing from the Vedanta and the Ѳٲ and the humourous conversation between 첹, Śⲹṣu and Devasomā. ٳԲñᲹⲹ advocates to use gentle dance in Prahasana as in ṇa, whereas Bharata is silent, but in Mattavilāsa Prahasana it is just reflected.