Part 14 - The Bālabhārata of Rājaśekhara

[Full title: The Dramas of Rājaśekhara: (iv) The Bālabhārata]

This is the incomplete drama of Rājaśekhara. It is known another name Pracandapāṇḍava and possession of only two acts. It composed by only 147 verses and introduces ‘Dhruva’ songs. S.K. De realize that it is, ‘Rājaśekhara’s second epic play, the Bālabhārata also called Pracandapāṇḍava is projected on the same scale and plan, to be a companion Nāṭaka on the Mahābhārata story, but is left incomplete^[1].

In the first act begin with the conversation between Vyāsa and Vālmīki on the matter of Kāvyakaṣṭa. Then we see the Svayaṃvara of Draupadī and Pāndavas are disguised as Brāhmanas are present there. Dronācārya sees that without Arjuna no one can wins the hand of Draupadī. Then when the all kings are futile Arjuna shoots the arrow and fulfills the all condition of Svayaṃvara. Then the all other kings are ready to fight and Bhīma become overpowered.

In the act II, presented the gambling scenes. Yudhiṣṭhira agree about the twelve years of exile after pawning all his properly and also Draupadī. Then Draupadī was staked in this game of dice and brought to the court of Duryodhana and Duśśāsana attempted to insult her. In this time the Goddess Māya giving her new clothes. To see the all things Bhīma get angry and pledged to break the things of Duryodhana, drink the blood of his and lie up Draupadī’s loosened hair by besmearing it with blood. Lastly the Pāndavas are going to the forest.

After study in this drama we can found that the dramatic value of this work is very poor. There we can get only a fragment of the drama and other characteristic.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

De, S. K. History of Classical Sanskrit Literature, University of Calcutta, 1962, Pp-457