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Malatimadhava (study)

by Jintu Moni Dutta | 2017 | 52,468 words | ISBN-10: 8120813057 | ISBN-13: 9788120813052

This page relates ‘Plot of the Malatimadhava� from the English study on the Malatimadhava of Bhavabhuti:—A Prakarana type of Drama in ten acts revolving around the love-story of Malati (from ʲ峾屹ī) and Madhava (from Vidarbha). This study discusses the history of its author and the literary, social, religious, historical and cultural aspects of the Malatimadhava.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 2c - The Plot of the īmādhava

At the very beginning of this ʰ첹ṇa, It was seen that an attempt had been made among the actors and actresses for the completion of the purpose of the union of hero and heroine. A solemn engagement was made by ū, the father of ī and ٱ𱹲ٲ, the father of 󲹱 to join their children in wedlock. 峾Ի岹ī was appointed by ū to bring union between ī and 󲹱. 峾Ի岹ī declared it that she would accomplish that task at the expense of her life.[1]

󲹱 fell in love of ī when he came from ṇḍԲܰ to ʲ峾屹ī to receive instruction in the logical philosophy. The love had also stricken root in the heart of ī, as she often saw 󲹱 passing by the street that confronted her mansion. ī’s mind was growing unsteady day by day and very much afflicted with love for 󲹱. She had actually drawn his likeness to dispel her love-longing. On the other hand to make the matter worse ī was affianced to Nandana by her father in accordance with the order of the king. 峾Ի岹ī insinuated ī for love marriage but she vowed to preserve the dignity of illustrious family by suppressing her intense passion for her young lover.On the other hand, 󲹱 full of despair resolved to sell human flesh in the cemetery ground. There 󲹱 found ī who was prepared as a victim to 峾ṇḍ by ṇḍ and ǰṇṭ. 󲹱 saved the life of ī by killing ǰṇṭ.

In the meantime, the celebration of ī’s marriage was found where all those were asked to be ready to receive the bridegroom’s party. ī was asked to go to the temple of city-deity so that all obstacles relating to marriage ceremony would be warded off. Accordingly ī was repaired to the temple of city–deity with her friend Lavaṅgikā. There she told her friend how deeply she loved 󲹱 and how life would be hateful to her.ī resolved to put an end to her existence and asked Lavaṅgikā to assist her in carrying out that resolve. At that time 󲹱 along with Makaranda was there inside the temple. 󲹱 took Lavaṅgikā’s place and told her that his love torment was none the less intense than hers. Makaranda and Lavaṅgikā suggested ī for love marriage. 峾Ի岹ī asked Makaranda to put on ī’s bridal dress and to marry Nandana under that disguise. She then directed 󲹱 and ī for Ի󲹰 marriage. After the celebration of the marriage Makaranda went to the Nandana’s house where Nandana was deceived and offended by the supposed ī.

When Madayantikā confessed her love for Makaranda then he threw off his disguise and appeared in his true character and took hold of Madayantikā’s hand addressing her lovingly. They also prepared their mind for Ի󲹰 marriage. When everything was going well then ṇḍ snatched away ī and flew with her off to the mountain Śī貹ٲ wishing to put her to a cruel death. Thereafter, 󲹱, Makaranda and Lavaṅgikā everybody searched for ī.

󲹱 gave vent to his grief due to sudden disappearance of ī. Makaranda tried in vain to divert his mind. The beauty of the landscape and the setting in of the rainy season so intensified 󲹱’s grief that he actually fainted. 󲹱 regained consciousness and had driven almost to the verge of insanity, addressed a cloud in touching terms. He asked the cloud to compose his beloved in case it saw her and to tell her about his own sad state. Makaranda expressed most pathetic laments and wished to throw himself into the Pātālāvatī River. ܻ峾ī suddenly appeared there and prevented him from taking that step and told the two friends that ī was quite safe.

On the other hand, 峾Ի岹ī, Lavaṅgikā and Madayantikā lamented at the loss of ī and resolved to put an end to their lives by throwing themselves from the top of a hill that girded by the river Ѳܳī. Just at that time, ū unable to bear ī’s separation approached the mountain Suvarṇavindu with intention to cast himself into the fire. Finally they were all saved by appearance of ī. The king approved the two secret marriages of two pairs viz., ī and 󲹱 as well as Makaranda and Madayantikā. Thus, the story ends with a happy union of ī and

󲹱.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

prāṇaistapobhiratha vābhimata� madīyai� /
ṛtⲹ� ghaṭet suhṛdo yadi tatkṛta� syāt //
īmādhava
,I.9

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