10. Supernatural Elements

Something which is not according to the course of nature, or above or beyond nature is called supernatural, i.e. miraculous. It denotes some matters which do not belong to the world. It is some unusual things, strange or phenomena which may have divine interference.

In using the super natural elements, it is observed that an author depends on these elements in the necessity of the story. Śrī Dāmodara Miśra also mentions some supernatural elements in his Hanumannāṭaka

In the 5^th Act, Rāma addresses the tree and the creeper of the mountain asked about his wife Sītā. Here the trees^[1] and the creepers are natural objects, but to talk with the trees or believing that the trees can speak is somewhat supernatural. In the verse he godāvari …^[2] Rāma again asked Godāvari about his wife Sītā. Here also Godāvari is a natural object, but to talk with a river believing it as a living being is somewhat supernatural. In the verse asmadgotre…^[3] the ocean said to Rāma about the cause of its creation. Here the ocean is a natural object. So discussing with a natural object is somewhat supernatural. In the verse hāhākāraṃ niśamya …^[4] there is mention about the amṛtarasa and by this amṛtrasa again Rāma gets his life. This is also a supernatural element. In the 13^th Act, Lakṣmaṇa becomes senseless by some powerful energy. This description also contains some supernatural elements.^[5] The author also mentions some supernatural things in the verse pātālataḥ kimu…^[6] Here Hanumat says to Rāma that he can bring the amṛta from pātāla, he can bring the moon from sky etc. Thus we find some descriptions of supernatural elements in the play.