Dasarupaka (critical study)
by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words
This page relates ‘Other features of the Samudramanthana’ 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 14 - Other features of the Samudramanthana
Vatsarāja’s way of starting of the play is marvelous like “samudrādeva sarve manorathāḥ nirvahanti”. He has indicated about the twelve heroes through the words of Sūtradhāra and Sthāpaka that “dvādaśapi bhrātaraḥ” and “dvādaśamāseṣu paramaiśvaryabhājana”.
He has used some sweet proverbs like it is just about (the discussion of) the appearances of blind men in between (themselves) blind peoples (andhānāṃ andheṣu eṣa rupaviśeṣaḥ)”, “by worshiping the god, indeed the god is obtained (janārdana pūjayaiva janārdanaḥ prāpyate)”. His work is actually an imitation of the world as stated in the Daśarūpaka that “avasthānukṛtirnāṭyam” (Daśarūpaka.I.7). For instance, other poet generally states that “he wants to beat (tāḍayitumicchati)” but Vatsarāja describes it as “he tries to beat by rising the feast” (bṛṣīmudyamya tāḍayitumicchati).
Vatsarāja has followed the Upaniṣadic statement; “all may see the happiness (sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu)”, for the benefit of all and everyone should get the equal share of food and drink,
“samāna bhaktivyavasāyeṣu ca parijaneṣu samānaprasādāḥ prabhavo bhavantīti vicintyam”.
At the end, he has given the message to the kings of India, that they should cherish generosity and valour,
“audāryaśauryarasikāḥ sukhayantu bhūpāḥ”
–(III.14).”