Dasarupaka (critical study)
by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words
This page relates ‘Society in the Tripuradaha� 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 12 - Society in the հܰ
From the history, it is known that ղٲᲹ was the court poet and the minister under various Candel kings, who were ruling in Mahoba (ñᲹ), in the twelfth to thirteenth century A.D. His plays are indicative of the fact that in that period, the kings were struggling with disturbances from foreign intruders and other kings. He has written most of the dramas, under the Candel king Paramardideva. The հܰ was staged by the order of Paramardideva.
Sisirkumar Mitra (1958, The Early Rulers of Khajuraho) states that:
“The Candel rulers were very systematic and organized. The king was pivot of the administrative structure. They had realized the importance of the seven characteristics of the administration stated by ṭiⲹ (ٳśٰ, 8.1.5�峾, ٲⲹ, janapada, durga, ṣa, bala and mitra).�
The king was an administrator in its true sense. He was the head of the army.
The army was acquainted with the firearms in the war:
upasaṃharāmyeṣa āgneyāstram
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.104.
In addition to these, the arms like sword, axe, bow, arrows were also used (հܰ, C. D. Dalal, p.78).
All castes, i.e. Brahmins, ṣaٰⲹ, ղśⲹ and Śū were living peacefully in the society. They were doing their duties according to their castes and sub-castes. In addition to Hindus, the people of other religions like Jains, Buddhists and Muslims were living. The agriculture was the main source of the livelihood. Even Candels were wealthy trading community like Jains. For the trade and exchange, they were using coins made of gold and copper.
The people were using chariot and animals as transport:
rathārūḍhamāyāntam tripurāntakam
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.116.
Candels were the devotees of Ś. Ś was their prominent god:
surasamūho’pīdānīm śivam sevamāno bhaviṣyati
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.78.
In addition, they were also worshiping 岵īٳī or Ҳṅg. They were especially doing so before going on battle.
tadaham bhagavatīm bhāgīrathīmupāsya ṇḍ貹śܱܳ貹īṇa⾱ٳܳԳܲ峾
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.78.
It should be noted here that 岵īٳī or Ҳṅg is the only goddess mentioned in the հܰ as being worshipped.
At the time of solar and lunar eclipse, people were offering their prayers to the sun and the moon:
pratīkṣasva sūryacandroparāgādiparva
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.75.
The position of the Brahmins in the society was the highest and they were living their life in accordance with dharma or sacred laws of the Hindus. They were working as the ministers to guide the king. They were also getting appointments as teachers, ministers, poets, priests and judges. They were generally respected, as the society gave much importance to the morality.
However, a section of the society did not openly show it:
ⲹ viśadāśaya! sarvasandehaviṣopaśamakāraṇam ṇa iti tvām praṇamāmi
–հܰ�, III, p.97.
Though the community of Candels was cultured, they were blind believers. They believed in fate, which changes friends into enemy and enemies into friends.
The fate does not recognize (distinguish) poor or rich, great or ordinary.
ahaha! vidhiviparītatayā vaibhavamapi viparītaphalam bhavati
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.103.
Chandels were highly superstitious and they believed that the thrubing of the left eye and the sneezing etc. are highly inauspicious:
kimetadācaṣṭe spandamānam me vāmam vilocanam
–հܰ�, C. D. Dalal, p.104.