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 4a - Characterisation of the play
48 (of 134)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Anubhava represents experience, the father of Saṃskāra, in the beginning of
the seventh Act of the play.
Sahajadṛṣṭi and Sādṛśadṛṣṭi are represented as the servants of Samskāra,
in the beginning of the seventh Act.
Sahajadṛṣṭi - When we happen to see one out of the two things or persons
that are frequently seen together, the other comes to our memory.
Sādṛśadṛṣṭi - When we see one of two objects or persons that resemble
each other, the other comes to the mind. It is in these two ways that remembrance
or Samskāra is produced.
Needless to mention that all these characters belonging to the team of
Viveka, have their relevance, when Viveka's victory and its auspicious
consequences are taken to evaluation.
MAHAMOHA
Among the characters who form the counterpart, king Mahāmoha is the chief
of all evil ones. The characters following Mahāmoha are Kāma, Krodha, Vasanta,
Rāga, Dveṣa, Lobha, Dambha, Dapara, Stambha, Samvriti Satya, Abhiniveśa,
Tṛṣṇ�, kuhaṇa, Asūyā, Durvāsanā, Kali, Māna, Matsara, Śṛngara and Bhramā. But
the characters playing substantially an important role, are here taken up for a
critical presentation.
King Mahāmoha or Pratinayaka is the counter hero. Mahāmoha literally
means the great Delusion. It implies propensity of mind which brings about
erroneous notions and which binds the person from a right understanding of the
real values in conduct, action and achievement. Further, it is not mere ignorance
and stupidity or even wickedness but delusion. Observing the movements of
counter-hero, it can be said that he possesses the qualities of Dhiroddhata 1 type of
