Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study)
by G. D. Jayalakshmi | 2019 | 58,344 words
This page relates ‘Introduction (Subject-matter of the Jivanandana)’ of the study on the Jivanandana (in English) which is a dramatic play written by Anadaraya Makhin in the 18th century. The Jivanandana praises the excellence of Advaita Vedanta, Ayurveda (medical science) and Dramatic literature as the triple agency for obtaining everlasting bliss.
Introduction (Subject-matter of the Jīvānandana)
The Jīvānandana Nāṭaka is an interesting and unique allegorical play in seven acts. Some of the Āyurveda Medical colleges in India have included a few acts of this play in their first year syllabus.
The dramatist Ānandarāya Makhin has expounded the science of Medicine and the concomitant method of Vedānta, especially those of Advaita philosophy, through the medium of drama.
This play has 347 verses in total with various metres and Alaṅkāras. The main sentiment of this play is Śāntarasa; other sentiments are also used by the author suitably.
Jīva, the soul of every human being is the hero of this play He undergoes many attacks by various diseases collectively under the leadership of the king of diseases Rājayakṣmā who thus becomes the Pratināyaka of this play. All internal and external limbs, mind, knowledge, qualities, emotions, in-born enemies in general (Kāla, Karma) and diseases are personified as various characters. lord Śiva and goddess Pārvati along with their retinue are also presented on the stage by the dramatist.
The subject-matter of this play is applicable to every human being on this earth. The title of the play Jīvānandana is justified by highlighting the eternal Bliss (ānanda) that the soul (Jīva) begets at the end.
The actwise summary of the play is given below, before going into the analysis of the play as Āyurvedic, Advaitic and dramatic text.