Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study)

by G. D. Jayalakshmi | 2019 | 58,344 words

This page relates ‘Analysis of Galaganda’ 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.

The dramatist introduces this Galagaṇḍa in the main scene of the second Act as the door-keeper of the secret place of Pāṇḍu. The commentary explains this feature as–in the world of diseases, Goitre is the entry point of the internal organs of the human body.

Hence this disease Goitre at the neck portion is depicted as the door-keeper, dauvārika [dauvārikaḥ] (com. p.81):

śarīrākhyasya purasya dvārabhūte gale jāyamānatvāt āsya galagaṇḍasya dvārapālakatvamatra vivakṣitam |

Without his knowledge none can have audience with Pāṇḍu. The commanders of the army known as Sannipātas, the spy Karṇamūla and the servant Kāsa, are all allowed to enter Pāṇḍu’s place only on Galagaṇda’s permission.

As a door-keeper, Galagaṇda carries out all the orders of Pāṇḍu. In the fifth Act also he executes his duty as the door-keeper in fetching Apathyatā to the presence of Pāṇḍu and he also makes Pāṇḍu aware of the arrival of their king Yakṣmā.

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