Essay name: Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)
Author:
R. Laxmi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
This is an English study of the Sankalpa Suryodaya—an allegorical Sanskrit drama by Venkatanatha, a distinguished philosopher-poet and dramatist of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta tradition. This work of Venkata-natha (or, Vedanta Deshika). stands out for integrating allegory to convey moral and philosophical truths. The thesis examines its place in Sanskrit literature.
Chapter 3 - Significance
25 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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messenger continues to read the letter and threatens king Viveka not to disobey the
order and face the attack by Krodha and Moha. He adds further that the prowess of
Krodha and Kāma is to be taken note of by king Viveka. But, king Viveka does not
see in this any harm, because Śiva's third eye is sure to foil the attempts of Krodha
and Kāma. He points out the truth of the Śrutis that the Supreme Being first
created the world, maintains it and destroys it by mere will. And thus no one is free
from Kāma. At this juncture, Sumati says to Viveka that Manmatha is not invincible,
and why he should feel proud of his power. To this, Viveka replies that pratings of
Moha is covered by illusion and his power need not be taken very seriously. He
shows his willingness to listen to the letter entirely. Just then the envoy announces
that one who is angry with anger, then one does not get over-anger. On the
otherhand, how can one who is not angry with krodha, conquer krodha ? Thus it is,
as it were, a rope with a noose on either side. Sumati adds that it is mere difficult to
conquer Kāma than Krodha. And for the conquest of Kāma, Krodha is required.
Making a descrimination between bad temper raises anger, Viveka says that the
latter is not a sin and that it is necessary to conquer Kāma and others. Now, Viveka
thinks of sending a reply to King Mahāmoha through that envoy. his reply is
contained in the following verse:
"The world will (soon) show the greatest regard to Viveka who will kill
Mahāmoha, defy Manmatha, and shake off Krodha with contempt."
The envoy decides to get back. For in his estimation it is difficult to conquer
Viveka and Sumati who are ever eager to awaken those who are asleep, promotes
the welfare of the world. He feels unhappy over the errand for which his master sent
him. Proclaiming a proverb that for the sake of a family an individual is to be
deserted. 11
9.
विश्वाधिको विलयमेष्यत� कस्य भूम्ना वीरः प्रसिद्धमहिम� विबुधेषु कामः �
[viśvādhiko vilayameṣyati kasya bhūmnā vīra� prasiddhamahimā vibudheṣu kāma� |
] 10.
क्रोधोदितं यदनुभाववशे� शम्भोः श्रृङ्गारशीतलमभूत्रयन� तृतीयम� � [krodhodita� yadanubhāvavaśena śambho� śrṛṅgāraśītalamabhūtrayana� tṛtīyam || ] S.S. III-39, p - 386.
अप्राणितमहामोहमनङ्गीकृतमन्मथम् �
विधूतप्रतिधं लोको विवेकं बह� मंस्यत� �
त्यजेदेक� कुलस्यार्थ� ग्रामस्यार्थ� कुलं त्यजेत� �
[aprāṇitamahāmohamanaṅgīkṛtamanmatham |
vidhūtapratidha� loko viveka� bahu maṃsyate ||
tyajedeka� kulasyārthe grāmasyārthe kula� tyajet |
] 11.
ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थ� पृथिवी� त्यजेत� �
[grāma� janapadasyārthe ātmārthe pṛthivī� tyajet |
] S.S. III-42, p - 388.
Prabhāvilāsa Commentary, p - 390
