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Dasarupaka (critical study)

by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words

This page relates ‘five stages of action (avastha)� 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 11 - The five stages of action (avasthā)

The five stages of action are those that are resorted to by those who strive after a result. (ٳ� 貹ñ kāryasya prārabdhasya 󲹱ٳ󾱲ḥ�Daśarūpaka.I.19). They are:

  1. Beginning (),
  2. Effort (prayatna),
  3. Prospect of success (ٲś),
  4. Certainty of success (Ծⲹپ) and
  5. Attainment of the result (󲹱岵).

1) Ārambha (Beginning) �

According to Daśarūpaka, “Beginning� is the eagerness to obtain the goal. (autsukyamātram� phalalābhāya bhūyase� Daśarūpaka.I.20). In the ѳܻṣa, the eagerness to win over ṣa and to bring him on the side of ṇaⲹ, forms the “Beginning�.

2) Prayatna (Effort)�

Daśarūpaka states that the “Effort� is the exertion to get the result very quickly. (prayatnastu tadaprāptau vyapāro’titvarānvita� - Daśarūpaka.I.20). In the case of the ѳܻṣa, the effort is to get ṣa quickly. Thus, ṇaⲹ uses detectives everywhere to keep a watch on ṣa and his whereabouts and he plans something like false quarrel with Candragupta and this activity forms “Effort�.

3) Prāptyāśā (Prospect of success)�

The Daśarūpaka states that the “Prospect of success� is the possibility of succeeding with means at hand, but also with fear of failure. (upāyāpāyaśaṅkābhyām ٲś prāptisaṃbhava� - Daśarūpaka.I.21). In the ѳܻṣa, ṣa貹ṇa첹 creates quarrel between ṣa and Malayaketu, giving false message to Malayaketu, that his father is killed by ṣa through poison-maid. So, ṣa looses power and ṇaⲹ gets the hope of the success. But, the fear is that ṣa knows that it is the deed of ṇaⲹ and the result of clever plan. So, it is the “Prospect of success�.

4) Niyatāpti (Certainty of success)�

The Daśarūpaka states that the “Certainty of success� is the assurance of goal because there is the absence of risk. (屹ٲ� prāptirԾⲹپ� suniścitā–Daśarūpaka.I.21). In the ѳܻṣa, ṇaⲹ collects witnesses against ṣa, which forced him to bow down his head and surrender to free his friend Candanadāsa, otherwise he would be the killer of the friend. So, this is the “Certainty of success�.

5) Phalāgama (Attainment of the result)�

The Daśarūpaka states that the “Attainment of the result� is to get the final goal. (󲹱ṃpٳپ� phalayogo yathocita�–Daśarūpaka.I.22). In the ѳܻṣa, the act of surrendering of ṣa for his friend Candanadāsa and the acceptance of the Ministership of Candragupta, as planned by ṇaⲹ, constitute the “Attainment of the result or Phalāgama�.

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