13. Discussion on the Prose

In Sanskrit dramas, it is seen that there exist both verses and prose portions. However is neither hard and fast rule nor any specific instruction from rhetorics, in respect of the quantity of prose portion and verse to be used in a drama. Still, it is observed that verses are used for expression of emotions whereas prose lines are narrative in nature in the dramas.

The arrangement of words without metre is generally known as prose.^[1]

There are four^[2] varieties of prose viz., Muktaka,Vṛttagandhī, Utkalikāprāya and Cūrṇaka. Śrī Dāmodara.Miśra shows his ability in composing all the four varieties of prose in the Hanumannāṭaka

Muktaka

The Muktaka type of prose means those prose lines which are free from compound.^[3] It is rather difficult to find out the Muktaka type of prose in the writings of an established author in Sanskrit. So only a few instances of this type of prose are there in the Hanumannāṭaka As for example the passages tataḥ prātaḥkāle … prayacchāmi^[4], and atha devarāja … niṣkrāntaḥ^[5] can be referred to.

Vṛttagandhī

The Vṛttagandhī type of prose means those prose, where there is not found any metre, but there exists some sort of rhythm, causing thereby some flavor of metre.^[6] According to Agni Purāṇa too, among the three varieties of prose passages, it is known as Vṛttagandhī^349.In the Hanumannāṭaka, there are some portions, where this variety is found.

For example, dakṣiṇataṣṭu dakṣinācala^[7] … sānandamabhavaditi.

Utkalikāprāya

The Utkalikāprāya^[8] type is said to be that prose line which comprises long compounded words of harsh souds. It is also accepted in the Chandomañjarī^[9] In the writings of the classical prose writers, the Utkalikāprāya type of prose is often met with. Śrī Dāmodara.Miśra also uses this type ofprose. As for example the passage evaṃ daivayogā … pakṣiṇīpakṣavṛddhiṃ^[10] can be cited.

Cūrṇaka

The Cūrṇaka type of prose is composed with small compounded words of soft syllables.^[11] This is also mentioned in the Chandomañjarī^[12] Śrī Dāmodara.Miśra also uses this type of prose in his Hanumannāṭaka As for example, the passage laṅkāyāṃ … rāmāgamanadinaṃ^[13] … can be cited here.

As the Hanumannāṭaka (Hanumannāṭaka) is a nāṭaka type of composition, so there is expected prose lines with long compounded words. Because, such long sentences may not have pleasing experience for the listener or spectator.. However, in the Hanumannāṭaka, the author uses long compounded words in the prose portions. As mentioned in the Kāvyādarśa^[14],of Daṇḍiṇ, the long compounded words are constitute the very essence of prose and it is appreciable in a prose work. It may that the author of the Hanumannāṭaka could not resist his temptation to establish his ability as a composer of prose. As a result, we find long compound words and lengthy sentences in the play. As for example the passages evaṃ daivayogād … pakśiṇīpakṣavṛddhim^[15], gagaṇacumbanana … vilokya^[16] and dakṣiṇataṣṭu … bhavaditi^[17] can be cited here. plenty of such long compounded words, which indicate the expertise of a prose writer, may not be regarded as a merit in the case of a dramatic composition. Śrī Dāmodara.Miśra’sproceness to such type of prose may be assessed in this way.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

(i) vṛttagandhojjhitaṃ gadyaṃ / Sāhityadarpaṇa, VI. 330
(ii) apādaḥ padasantano gadyam/ Kāvyādarśa, I.23

[2]:

muktakaṃ vṛttagandhī ca bhavedutkalikāprāyaṃ curṇakaṃ ca caturvidhaṃ Sāhityadarpaṇa, VI. 330-331

[3]:

ādyaṃ samāsa … rahitaṃ/ ibid., VI. 331

[4]:

tataḥ prātaḥ rāvaṇo lohitākṣāṃ dūtamāhūya … sītāṃ prayacchāmi/ Hanumannāṭaka, XIV, p. 218

[5]:

atha devarāja indraḥ rāmāya …lohitākṣo niskrāntaḥ/ ibid., XIV, p.219

[6]:

vṛttābhāgayutaṃ paraṃ/ Sāhityadarpaṇa, VI. 331

[7]:

dakṣiṇataṣṭu dakṣinācalapracalitamalayamālatīmarucakala … savismayaṃ sānandamabhaditi/ Hanumannāṭaka, V.p. 79

[8]:

anyaddīrgha samāsādhyaṃ/ Sāhityadarpaṇa, VI. 332

[9]:

bhavedutkalikāprāyaṃ samāsadhyaṃ dṛdhāsaraṃ/ Chandomañjarī, VI.4

[10]:

evaṃ daivayogādgauragavayagajabhujaṅgaśarabhasārdūlako-labahulakolāhalā … pakṣiṇīpakṣavṛddhim. Hanumannāṭaka, V. p. 77

[11]:

turyañcālpa samāsakaṃ/ Sāhityadarpaṇa, VI. 332

[12]:

akathorākṣaraṃ svalpa samāsaṃ cūrṇakaṃ viduḥ/ Chandomañjarī, VI. 3

[13]:

laṅkāyāṃ mahodaraṃ pṛcchati …rāmāgamanadinam. Hanumannāṭaka, XI., p. 178

[14]:

ojaḥ samāsabahūlaṃ gadyasya jīvitam/ Kāvyādarśa, 1.80

[15]:

evaṃ daivayogād … pakṣiṇīpakṣavṛddhim/ Hanumannāṭaka, V.p. 77

[16]:

gaganacumbanabaddhalakṣyavipula … vāmato vilokya/ ibid., p.78

[17]:

dakṣiṇatastu dakṣiṇācala … bhavaditi/ ibid., p. 79