Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study)
by G. D. Jayalakshmi | 2019 | 58,344 words
This page relates ‘Analysis of Smriti and Shraddha’ 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.
Analysis of Smṛti and Śraddhā
They are personified as assistants of Bhakti. Smṛti appears before Jīva when he thinks about Bhakti. She brings Bhakti to him who is accompanied by Śraddhā. When Bhakti is unhappy about Jīva’s indifference, Śraddhā tells her that the influence of māyā, comprising of the three qualities Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, seems to have clouded the memory of Jīva. This makes Bhakti change her mind and she decides to help Jīva in his future endeavours.
While the role of Smṛti is to remind Jīva of Bhakti, the role of Śraddhā is to keep their relationship steady. The dramatist has quite interestingly made use of these concepts to suit the purpose of the play. Hence, Smṛti is made to stay with Jīva and always make him be aware of Bhakti; Bhakti tells her that it is her duty to do so.[1] Śraddhā is attached to Bhakti so that the attachment between Bhakti and Jīva is steady.