Part 2g - Act-wise Summary of the Mālatīmādhava

Bhavabhūti’s Mālatīmādhava is a Prakaraṇa consisting of ten acts. The main theme of the Mālatīmādhava is taken from the Kathāsaritsāgara of Somadeva. Before going to a detailed discussion of the acts here is an introduction with the acts and also with the characters which appear in the acts.

Number of Act	Name of the Act	Number of verses
Act I	Bakulavīthī	41
Act II	Dhavalagṛha	13
Act III	Śārdūlavidrāvana	18
Act IV	Śārdūlavikrama	10
Act V	Śmaśānavarṇana	34
Act VI	Corikāvivāha	20
Act VII	Nandanavipralambho	05
Act-VIII	Mālatyapahāro	14
Act IX	Mālatyanveṣaṇa	54
Act X	Mālatīmādhava	25

 

Name of characters	Role played as
Mādhava	The hero of the Mālatīmādhava
Mālatī	The heroine of the Mālatīmādhava
Makaranda	The friend of the hero
Kalahaṃsaka	The servant of the hero
Madayantikā	The friend of Mālatī / sister of Nandana
Nandana	The minister of the king / The brother of Madayantikā
Bhūrivasu	The father of Mālatī
Devarāta	The father of Mādhava
Kāmandakī	A Buddhist nun
Saudāminī	A disciple of Kāmandakī
Buddharakṣitā	A disciple of Kāmandakī
Avalokitā	A disciple of Kāmandakī
Mandārikā	Servant of Kāmandakī
Aghoraghaṇṭa	A Votary of Cāmuṇḍā
Kapālakuṇḍalā	A disciple of Aghoraghaṇṭa

Act I -

The 1^stact of this Prakaraṇa is called Bakulavīthī and it opened with two benedictory verses. After the benediction Bhavabhūti gave a brief account of himself through sūtradhāra.Then sūtradhāra introduced the audience the characters just to appear on the stage. After the end of prologue the play started with a conversation between Kāmandakī and her pupil Avalokitā. During their conversation Kāmandakī eagerly wished for the match between blessed Mālatī and Mādhava, the very offsprings of Bhūrivasu and Devarāta. Kāmandakī, in course of their conversation said to Avalokitā that on the basis of their friendship Bhūrivasu had appointed her to a duty which she should fulfil even at the expense of her life. Again she also stated that when they were students, an agreement was made by Bhūrivasu and Devarāta in the presence of Saudāminī and herself to unite their offsprings in wedlock. On the other hand, Devarāta, the father of Mādhava sent Mādhava from Kuṇḍinapura to Padmāvatī to receive instruction in the logical philosophy. In the meantime, the king of Padmāvatī asked Mālatī’s hand for his companion, Nandana. Kāmandakī however arranged that Mādhava should pass through the royal road adjoining the mansion of Bhūrivasu so that Mālatī would be able to see Mādhava. Kāmandakī then learnt from Lavaṅgikā that love had stricken root in the heart of Mālatī as she often saw Mādhava passing through that street which can be seen from her mansion. Mālatī had drawn a portrait of Mādhava to ease her longing for Mādhava. Lavaṅgikā handed the portrait to Mandārikā, who was a lover of Kalahaṃsaka so that Mādhava finds the portrait. Thus, Kāmandakī tried to bring about a love marriage Mālatī between Mādhava. For this purpose Avalokitā was asked for sending Mādhava to the Madana garden where a great festival called Madanamahotsava was to be solemnised. In this way Mādhava would be able to see Mālatī physically. During their conversation they incidentally talked about the attainment of Saudāminī’s miraculous powers due to her yogic practice. Saudāminī was a disciple of Kāmandakī. Then Kāmandakī instructed Buddharakṣitā to work on the mind of Madayantikā, who was the sister of Nandana, so that she might fall in love with Makaranda, the intimate friend of Mādhava.

After the end of their conversation, Kalahaṃsaka, Mādhava’s servant, went with the portrait drawn by Mālatī to the Madana garden. There he sat and was waiting for Mādhava and Makaranda. In the meantime, Makaranda too went to the same garden in search of his friend, found Mādhava there with a little change in appearance. He at once guessed what the matter might be. Mādhava pined for Mālatī and described to Makaranda about the incidents that happened in the Madana garden. There he was able to see Mālatī from a close distance. Lavaṅgikā took away from him the bakula wreath that he had woven and told him in enigmatical terms that his union with Mālatī would be the most desirable. He described his love-lorn condition to Makaranda at great extent and Makaranda consoled him by saying that his love was understood by Mālatī and has drawn his picture and sent through Kalahaṃsaka. Makaranda suggested to Mādhava to paint Mālatī’s picture by the side of his picture which Mādhava did accordingly.But Mandārikā came at this juncture and took away the picture board. Thus, the first act ended with the description of Mādhava’s love pangs.

Act II -

The 2^ndact of this Prakaraṇa is named as dhavalagṛha. It began with a conversation of two maid servants where they informed the audience the entire affair in the grove of Madana.The entire affair was made to known Kāmandakī through Makaranda. Mālatī’s passion undoubtedly reached its climax after meeting with Mādhava in the Madana garden. To make the matter worse Mālatī’s father Bhūrivasu promised to the king when he was asked for the hands of Mālatī for Nandana, a minister of the king. Thereafter the conversation took place between Mālatī and Lavaṅgikā. Lavaṅgikā handed over the bakula garland to Mālatī which she had received from Mādhava. Mālatī observed the picture closely and read the verse therein. Mālatī said to Lavaṅgikā about her growing lovetorments due to Mādhava. Thus, having seen the unbearable love sufferings of Mālatī, Lavaṅgikā suggested her about love-marriage but Mālatī refuted the suggestion of Lavaṅgikā, saying that her noble family was dearer to her than Mādhava and her life. Thereafter, Kāmandakī arrived with Avalokitā. She expressed her distress and disappointment at the news that Bhūrivasu had agreed to give away Mālatī to Nandana in accordance with the desire of the king. Kāmandakī observed the various signs of lovelorn condition of Mālatī which could not be hidden. Moreover, Mālatī expressed deep concern at her father’s decision saying that her father had made an offering of her life to the king. Having seen the unbearable condition of Mālatī, Lavaṅgikā requested the revered Kāmandakī to save her friend from that situation. Kāmandakī felt very sorry for the desperate state of Mālatī. She regarded that it would not be similar with the situations which were followed by Śakuntalā, Urvaśī, Vāsavadattā and others who married their lovers of their own accord. Then the conversation turned upon Mādhava, whose detailed history was given by Kāmandakī in answer to a query from Lavaṅgikā. Towards the end of this act Kāmandakī had produced in Mālati’s mind a dislike to another man and a suspicion about her father’s doing. On the other hand, she praised the greatness of Mādhava as regards his noble birth and personal accomplishments in course of narrating historical instances. Here, the 2^nd act ended.

Act III -

The 3^rd act is called as śārdūlavidrāvano. At the very outset of the 3^rdact a conversation took place between Buddharakṣitā and Avalokitā. During their conversation Avalokitā said that Kāmandakī had arranged for a meeting of Mādhava and Mālatī without their knowledge in the Kusumakāra garden. Mālatī had gone to the temple of Śaṅkara with Kāmandakī.But Kāmandakī would take Mālatī accompanied by Lavaṅgikā, to the same garden with a view to gather flowers with her own hands to worship Śiva on the 14th day of dark half of the month. On the other hand, Buddharakṣitā was successful in producing an instant love in the mind of Madayantikā. Because Makaranda who had then ardent desire to see him. Afterwards, Kāmandakī entered in the Kusumakāra garden.She explained the change that had come over Mālatī who was then willing to treat as a close friend. As arranged Mālatī accompanied by Lavaṅgikā went to the Kusumakāra garden to gather flowers where Mādhava too entered. Mādhava listened to the conversations of Mālatī and Lavaṅgikā and watched their movements, remaining himself concealed. He looked Mālatī with eyes of a lover. She appeared more charming to him as she inflamed the fire of love and intoxicated his heart as well as gratified his eyes. Kāmandakī asked Mālatī to desist from plucking flowers anymore as she found her exhausted. When they had all sat down, described to them Mādhava’s love affected condition caused by Mālatī in a very pathetic terms. Eventually, Lavaṅgikā also described the love-sufferings of Mālatī in great detail. All of a sudden, they all heard an announcement that a tiger had escaped from his cage and was creating a terrible havoc. At that time Buddharakṣitā entered and asked them to save her friend, Madayantikā who was being attacked by the tiger. All rushed forth to the scene, and felt joy to see that Makaranda came from somewhere.He had rescued Madayantikā from the clutches of the tiger by killing it.But their momentary joy turned into pain when they saw Makaranda fainted away by the wound that inflicted by the tiger’s nail, although the beast fell under Makaranda’s stroke. Madayantikā supported her gallant rescuer as he fainted away. Mādhava became exceedingly nervous on Makaranda’s accident.

Act IV -

The 4^th act is known as Śārdūlavikrama and it began with a insensible Makaranda and Mādhava supported by Lavaṅgikā and Madayantikā. Mālatī and others sprinkled water on them and they recovered them from fainting. At that time a messenger entered and told Madayantikā that the king himself offered Mālatī to Madayantikā’s elder brother Nandana with Bhūrivasu’s implied consent. Then he asked her to come away to share in her brother’s joy. This news brought despair to Mādhava and Mālatī. Madayantikā and Makaranda exchanged their glances. Those glances were charming on account of their hearts being filled to overflowing with wonder and joy and which were graceful owing to their fortitude being shaken. They had formed a union by their minds. Mādhava became exceedingly disconsolate where Mālatī too being full of despair lived in distress. At that moment Kāmandakī alluded about the rumour that the king solicited Mālatī for Nandana.Bhūrivasu said that the king had power over his daughter. Kāmandakī expressed dissatisfaction towards Bhūrivasu and she rightly said that Mālatī was not king’s own daughter and it was not a rule that kings had a right to give away another’s daughter. Mādhava in despair decided to be a vendor of human flesh in the cemetery.Thereafter he entered in the town itself with Makaranda having bath at the junction of the Pārā and Sindhu. Here the 4^th act ended.

Act V -

The 5^th act is known as Śmaśānavarṇana. In the beginning of the 5^th act Kapālakuṇḍalā gave a description of her journey through the aerial path by the miraculous power. Later she said that the jewel of womankind to whom her preceptor Aghoraghaṇṭa had promised to offer as an offering to the divine Karālā, was to be found out in the neighbouring city. So she would proceed to search for that womankind. As she started her search she noticed Mādhava in the cemetery region who was ready to sell human flesh to the spirits there. She recognised him as the son of Kāmandakī’s friend. Then Mādhava appeared who described in a soliloquy the deep impression made by Mālatī’s charm on his mind and expressed his furious desire to see her. He then called out the ghosts and spirits residing in the cemetery and offers human flesh to them. He described the variety of ghosts and their loathsome activities as well as enjoyments of ghost’s ladies of the cemetery ground. But they disappeared from the cemetery region when he was moving about. When Mādhava reached the river bounding the cemetery, a cry for help was heard and Mādhava rushed to the temple of Karāla from where the cry had heard. Then he found that Mālatī was being offered as a victim to Karālā by Aghoraghaṇṭa and Kapālakuṇḍalā. He arrived at the nick of time, snatched away Mālatī and became ready to fight with Aghoraghaṇṭa. Meanwhile, in accordance with the instruction of Kāmandakī, soldiers were being sent to surround the temple Karāla. After keeping Mālatī with her relatives, Mādhava fought with Aghoraghaṇṭa. Here the 5^th act ended.

Act VI-

he 6^th act is known as corikāvivāha. It began with a soliloquy of Kapālakuṇḍalā, by which she disclosed her furious anger upon Mādhava for having slain her preceptor Aghoraghaṇṭa. In the meantime, a voice behind the curtains announced the celebration of Mālati’s marriage, asked all those concerned to be ready to receive the bridegroom’s party that was approaching. It was commanded by Mālatī’s mother that Mālatī should go to the temple of the city-deity so that the auspicious ceremony should pass off without any obstacle. Kapālakuṇḍalā decided to do harm to Mādhava. She found that all people were engaged in the festivities for the impending marriage of Mālatī with Nandana. Then she thought it would be a good opportunity to put into execution her plan to injure Mādhava in some way. Then Kalahaṃsaka entered with the order that Māhava was stationed along with Makaranda in the interior of the temple, observed Mālatī’s coming and greatly struck with the princely wealth of Bhūrivasu.As it was evinced by the gorgeous dresses and glittering jewel ornaments worn by Mālatī’s attendants and relatives. Kāmandakī, Mālatī and Lavaṅgikā entered and gave vent to their feelings. Then a servant entered bringing with him the bridal dress or ornaments that presented by the king to be worn by Mālatī in the presence of deity and delivered them over to Kāmandakī. Mālatī and Lavaṅgikā then entered the interior of the temple at the bidding of Kāmandakī who stayed behind under the pretext of examining the ornaments. Mālatī in her utter despair opened her heart to Lavaṅgikā in the hearing of Mādhava and Makaranda, telling her how deeply she loved Mādhava and life would be hateful to her. Under the circumstances, she declared her decision to put an end to her miserable existence and asked her to assist her in carrying out that resolve. As she fell at Lavaṅgikā’s feet Lavaṅgikā indicated Mādhava to approach and take her place which Mādhava did readily. Then Mādhava asked Mālatī to embrace her. Mālatī gladly complied with Mādhava’s request addressed a long speech to her friend. Mālatī wished to put the bakula garland on the bosom of Mādhava as a token of friendship. While she proceeded to do so she discovered her mistake and stood trembling through agitation. Mādhava told her that his love torment was none the less intense than hers and her love was the only means by which he could support his life. Makaranda and Lavaṅgikā suggested them about love-marriage. Mālatī opposed this suggestion directly. At that moment Kāmandakī made her appearance, cheers up Mālatī and asked Mādhava to accept Mālatī as a gift from the God of love. She asked Makaranda to put on Mālatī’s bridal dress and got married to Nandana under that disguise. She then directed Mādhava and Mālatī to repair to the garden of her sanctuary. Where preparations were already made by Avalokitā to celebrate their nuptial ceremony which they did accordingly and with this the 6^th act ended.

Act VII -

he 7^th act is named as nandanavipralambho. At the very beginning of the 7^th act Buddharakṣitā gave the whole account that how Makaranda wedded to Nandana by the beautiful well-fitted disguise of Mālatī. Then she depicted how they come to the residence of Nandana after the celebration of marriage ceremony. She also told how Nandana was repudiated by Makaranda. As a result of which, Nandana who had left the apartment in great arrogance. He made a vow that he would have nothing to do with the harlot maiden Mālatī. Therefore, taking this advantage Buddharakṣitā brought Madayantikā in order to unite her with Makaranda. Lavaṅgikā told Makaranda to lie down in the bed exhibiting signs of being asleep. Madayantikā arrived with Buddharakṣitā to reason with Mālatī for her rude behaviour. Makaranda pretended to be asleep. Lavaṅgikā threw all blame upon Nandana. Madayantikā said that her brother’s remark was due to the report of Mālatī’s love for Mādhava. During their conversation, Madayantikā confessed her love for Makaranda. She was prevailed upon by Lavaṅgikā and Buddharakṣitā to be ready even for a love marriage (gāndharva marriage). Madayantikā wished to return to her abode. Then Makaranda threw off his disguise and appearing in his real form took hold off Madayantikā’s hand addressing her lovingly. All of them, under the cover of darkness, started for Kāmandakī abode where Mālatī and Mādhava had already gone.

Act VIII -

The 8^th act is styled as Mālatyapahāra. In this act Avalokitā went to search for the whereabouts of Mādhava and Mālatī. She discovered Mālatī and Mādhava where they sat on the bank of the lake after finishing their bath for the summer evening.Later she joined them. Mādhava found fault with Mālatī for being too shy. Thus denied to Mādhava, even the pleasure of hearing her speech.Then the conversation turned on Makaranda and Madayantikā.Mādhava expressed doubt whether Buddharakṣitā would succeed in bringing about the union of Makaranda and Madayantikā. Avalokitā set his doubts at rest and asked him what reward he would give if someone were to tell him of Madayantikā’s being success. As they were thus talking they heard the sound of approaching foot-steps. Presently Buddharakṣitā, Lavaṅgikā and Madayantikā accompanied by Kalahaṃsaka came up with excitement. They gave the news that Makaranda had been engaged in an encounter with the city police. Mādhava had gone with Kalahaṃsaka to help Makaranda. Mālatī sent Buddharakṣitā and Avalokitā to Kāmandakī to tell her of Makaranda’s adventure with the police. She dispatched Lavaṅgikā to Mādhava to inform him to be careful. Thereafter, Kapālakuṇḍalā entered and found Mālatī alone, snatched her away to Śrīparvata to put to her death. After a while Kalahaṃsaka returned and expressed his gratification at the happy issue of the fight. Māhava and Makaranda too, returned after being honoured by the king, pleased at their extraordinary valour.They wished to communicate the happy news to their beloveds but found Madayantikā and Lavaṅgikā making a search for Mālatī. Mālatī was found nowhere. Mādhava became so much anxious at the loss of Mālatī. At that time Makaranda suggested that they should go to Kāmandakī’s abode to which perhaps Mālatī might have gone.

Act IX -

his act is known as Mālatyanveṣaṇa. In the beginning of this 9^th act Saudāminī had flown away from the holy Śrīparvata to deliver the happy news to Mādhava that Mālatī was quite safe. During her journey she was stricken by the beautiful scenery of the city Padmāmāvatī. She found Makaranda and Mādhava both lamented the irony of fate that had reduced them to such a miserable plight. Mādhava gave a description of his grief at the disappearance of Mālatī at great length. Makaranda spared no pain to divert Mādhava’s mind but he failed. The beauty of the landscape and the setting of the rainy season so intensified Mādhava’s grief that he really swooned away. Makaranda was alarmed on his friends account and broke forth into sad lamentation. Mādhava received consciousness and had driven almost to the verge of madness, addressed a cloud in touching terms. He asked the cloud to deliver his beloved in case it saw her and to tell her about his own sad state. Next, he beheld the forms of Mālatī’s apportioned in the forest.He went on addressed his prayers for news about her to peacocks, cuckoos, monkeys,elephants etc.But he found them unheeded.Then he called out to Makaranda soliciting an embrace from him and fainted away again. Makaranda poured forth the most pathetic laments and deprived of his friend wished to throw himself to the river Pātālāvatī. Saudāminī suddenly appeared and prevented him from that step by telling him that Mālatī was quite safe and she had a token from her. Then both hurried on to Mādhava’s rescue who regained consciousness just as they approached him. As Mādhava addressed the wind, Saudāminī dropped the Bakula garland into his hands. She then comforted the two friends by telling them how Kapālakuṇḍalā had carried away Mālatī with the intention of putting her to death.But she was abled to rescue her. Then she flew up into the sky with Mādhava. Makaranda went away in search of Kāmandakī to communicate to her the happy news.Here the 9th act ended.

Act X -

In the 10^th act Kāmandakī, Lavaṅgikā and Madayantikā were very much affected by the loss of Mālatī.They decided to put an end to their lives by throwing themselves down from the top of the mountain that was girded by the flow of the river Madhumatī. At that time, suddenly a flash had seen by them followed by Makaranda and knew from him that was the power of a Yoginī. Just as the same time a voice behind the curtains announced that Bhūrivasu, who was unable to bear Mālatī’s separation approached the mountain Suvarṇavindu with intention to cast himself into fire. But instantaneously Mālatī with a wailing cry asked her father to desist from such rash act. Then Mādhava appeared bearing Mālatī who had fainted away. He told them how he got down there quickly from the Śrīparvata along with Saudāminī. Having heard this from Mādhava, Kāmandakī and Makaranda too solicited to Saudāminī to their rescue once more. At that very moment, Mālatī regained her consciousness by a shower from the clouds and the whole party heard the voice of Saudāminī from behind the curtains. Saudāminī had announced how Bhūrivasu was turned back when just about to throw himself into the fire by her words. At the end of her speech the Yoginī had seen descending from the sky. All of them felt joy and Kāmandakī rose up and embraced Mālatī as she fell at her feet. Saudāminī also approached and bowed to Kāmandakī as her old pupil. Mādhava and Makaranda said with wonder that their benefactress was none other than Kāmandakī’s beloved pupil Saudāminī. Kāmandakī praised Saudāminī for her well-doing. Mālatī, Madayantikā, Lavaṅgikā and Mādhava all of them praised the noble lady Saudāminī for her wonderful deed. At that time Saudāminī delivered a letter from the king, written in the presence of Bhūrivasu and addressed to Mādhava. The letter contained not only his approval of the two love marriages but his entire satisfaction with the son-in-law. Buddharakṣitā and Kalahaṃsaka having danced about gleefully arrived there. Kāmandakī disclosed her satisfaction at the happy turn of events.Saudāminī remarked that was more charming that the wish of the ministers, Bhūrivasu and Devarāta regarding the mutual relationship of their children had been fulfilled after a long time. Kāmandakī explained this by mentioning the vow made by Bhūrivasu when they were pupils, studying together about joining their children in wedlock. Everyone felt great joy at the end.