Essay name: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
Author: A. D. Pusalker
This book studies Bhasa, the author of thirteen plays ascribed found in the Trivandrum Sanskrit Series. These works largely adhere to the rules of traditional Indian theatrics known as Natya-Shastra.
Page 244 of: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
244 (of 564)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
224
mortar to which he was tied by his mother between them
and thus smashing the trees to pieces; killing Dhenuka in
the guise of an ass by throwing him by his hind legs at
the palmyra tree; and killing Keśi who came in the
guise of a horse by riding over him: are the feats
mentioned of the child who was named Damodara.
Damodara and his elder brother, Sankarṣaṇa, prepare for
Hallisaka dance with the Gopa damsels. The main scene
opens with the aged cowherd and a number of Gopa
youths and maidens, after whom enter Damodara,
Sankarṣaṇa and young Gopas. Music is sounded and all
engage in Hallīsaka, the old man being content with
witnessing the frolic. Some time after it, it is learnt
that a demon named Aristará¹£abha has entered the place.
Sankarṣaṇa and the Gopa youths and maidens retire to
the hillock nearby to witness the fight of Damodara with
the demon in the form of the wicked bull. After a wordy
war between them, Ariá¹£á¹ará¹£abha is convinced of the
divinity of the boy by his own inability to shake the child
though standing on one foot. However, thinking that he
would get heavens if killed by Visnu, he offers to fight and
Damodara throws him down. Ariá¹£á¹ará¹£abha falls down
dead covered all over with blood. DÄmaka enters and
greets Damodara and informs him that Sankarṣaṇa has
gone to the Jumna on hearing that KÄliya has come up
there. Damodara replies by stating that he himself is
going to suppress the pride of that lord of serpents.
(Act III).
At the sight of Damodara ready to fight with KÄliya,
the Gopa damsels are afraid and ask him not to enter the
waters and request Sankará¹£aṇa to prevent DÄmodara
from entering the abode of Kaliya. Sankarṣaṇa consoles
them saying that Kaliya is afraid and is bowing low to
approaching Kṛṣṇa. Damodara enters the pool. The
aged cowhersna
.
and
Sankarṣaṇa watch the fight and find
Kaliya subdued and Kṛṣṇa standing on the body. Then
enters Damodara catching hold of Kaliya. Damodara
plays the Hallīsaka dance on Kaliya's body and collects
flowers from the trees. KÄliya offers some resistance but
divinity of the boy, when he finds the
fiery poison emitted by him quite impotent to kill the
boy. Kaliya then craves for the mercy of the Lord.
Damodara orders him to leave the waters of the Jumna
comes to know tha
