Chapter 8 - The defeat of Mahamoha

[Full title: English Summary of the Sankalpa-suryodaya, Chapter 8: The defeat of Mahamoha]

ACT VIII—The eighth Act is entitled as "mohadiparajaya [mohadiparajayah]" for it deals with the defeat of Mahamoha and others. It begins with the Misra-Viskambhaka, where in Abhinivesa enters and introduces himself as being the treasurer of Mahamoha. However, he is described as being addicted to the evil practices. Admiring himself, Abhinivesa conveys to the audiance that under his influence, men resort to seven kinds of addiction namely, sexual indulgance, gambling, drinking, hunting, harsh-speech, cruel-punishment of offenders, idle-talk.2 1 14. 1. 2. bhavinya dasaya bhavaniha bhavadhvamsaya nah kalpatam kalki visnuyasahsutah kalikathakalusyakulamkapah | nihsesaksatakantake ksititale dharajalaughairdhruvam dharma kartayugam prarohayati yannistrimsadharadharah || S.S. VII - 48, p.658 hrsyanti vyasanesu saptasu mudharabdhesu matpreritah prarabdham na parityajanti ca muhuh pratyuhavatyahatah | nanaduhkhabhayanake'pi na jahatyarthe pumarthe ratim mohasyabhinivesa ekadrgaham kosadhikare sthitah || S.S. VIII-1, p.664 stridyutamrgayamadyavakparusyogradandatah | zjurarvala misi | Prabhavilasa - sloka p.664

100 As a brother of Lobha, he is all-in-all with the support of Mahamoha, who gains his objectives with his brotherly assistance. In spite of the evil power with which Abhinivesa boasts of, he expresses diffidence in his fight with Viveka. Because he has learnt that Purusa is taught the lessons on Vedanta. This Supreme Knowledge enables Purusa to realise Brahman without any obstacles. He finds Purusa realising the futility of various systems of philosophy and religion. He has found out that Kama and Krodha have practically no influence on Purusa. Almost he finds himself lost as he finds Purusa getting engaged in firm meditation. With a long sigh, Abhinivesa expresses that Kama and Krodha are defeated by women themselves. As Viveka is growing more powerful, Abhinivesa becomes doubtful as to whether Mahamoha gets victory over Viveka. Therefore he desires to help his lord, Mahamoha, and as such Abhinivesa asks his wife Durvasana to make efforts in his endevour. Being afraid of Viveks's strength, Durvasana tells thatthere is no doubt that generally women can easily defeat men by means of their attractive glance, yet in case of Purusa who is boosted up by Viveka, here effort might go in vain. She gives the analogy of night-moths which perish themselves by approaching the lamp unknowing the result. Still Abhinivesa tries to fill confidence in her by slightly modifying the analogy. There is also a possibility of the moths falling on the lamp itself, and thus extinguishing it. He desires to change his name to Samadhayabhinivesa; and asks his wife to change her name to Suvasana, which Durvasana readily accepts. Being disguised so, Abhinivesa thinks that he and his wife can remain closer to Viveka, influence him, spoil his meditation and finally can win over Viveka. At this time, Abhinivesa perceives Narada and Tumburu coming in his way, He sees Narada as a white crow entering the capital. He considers this as a bad omen. He thinks, this omen is an indication of defeat for king Mahamoha. He is terribly afraid of "coming events casting their shadows before". Further, there enter on the stage, king Mahamoha, Durmati and Narada. Addressing Narada, king Mahamoha expresses his delight at the grand arrangements made in his capital Maya to which the divine sage made his entry. Evidently he is

101 overcome with joy at the apparent decoration of the capital (as is usual with demonish forces). Narada is too eager to appreciate the decoration and praise king Mahamoha. Instantly king Mahamoha suggests his spouse to pay homage to sage Narada. Accordingly Durmati offers the sacred articles of worship to him. But Narada refuses to accept any offering, as it is the day of Ekadasi. Yet king Mahamoha praises sage Narada: "Your gait has the charm of movements in dancing. Your Vina with its many strings is extremely sweet to hear. Your body lights up the light of the moon. You have therefore come here to heighten our enjoyment. Though Narada praises the powers of Mahamoha, he inwardly considers him as a fool." ³ 4 At this juncture, Drstapratyaya, an envoy of king Viveka, approaches Mahamoha and conveys Viveka's message of peace treaty. Further, he tells that if the peace treaty is accepted then all of them will remain within the limits of the territory agreed upon. If war is to follow, then king Viveka will dispel Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha; destroy Kuhana, Dambha, Darpa, Abhimana, bring down Irsa, Asuya, Mada and terminate Matsarya, Stambha, Jadya ; then he will establish the predominance of sattva in the world. But, Narada by all possible means prevents this treaty between Viveka and Mahamoha. Mahamoha too did not become ready to conclude peace with Viveka. Also, Mahamoha gets angry and orders to kill the envoy. But Narada avoids Mahamoha from doing so by saying that an envoy should not be killed as per the code of polity. After envoy exits, Narada too departs therefrom, under the pretext of performing the Sandhyopasana at the time of sunset. Then, Mahamoha being moved by beautiful evening twilight entertains a desire for sexual embrace with his wife Durmati. But, the latter tries to awaken him from indulging in love affair as powerful enemies - Viveka and others, are making the preparations for war. Yet, as Mahamoha is over-confident of his strength, does 3. 4. lasyancita ca lalita ca gatistvadiya manjusvana bahuguna ca vibhati vina | dehasca darsayati candramasimabhikhyam prapto'si nastvamiha bhogasamrddhihetuh || S.S. VIII-8, p.676 niskamakrodhalobham nipatita kuhanadambhadarpabhimanam nirdhutersyabhyasuyamadavihrti jahanmatsarastambhajadyam | adya svo va vidadhyadapi caramayuge visvamaksudrasatvam velatita prasarpanmadhumathanadayadattaseko vivekah || S.S. VIII-15, p.684

102 not listen to wife's suggestion, and expresses his desire to enjoy his heart's content in wife's company. Then he exists with his wife. Now, come on the stage, Narada and Tumburu playing on the musical instrument. Narada expresses optimism for the bright day has dawned for Viveka. This day begins with the Sun-rise, dispelling the darkness, Vedic chanting and disappearance of ignorance. Tumburu joins with Narada at the beginning of bright day. Both anticipate the battle in which Viveka gets Victory. Narada again expresses a glorious day for Viveka as the Sun's rays begin to spread sharply. Narada reminds the audiance about battle between Rama and Ravana and again speaks of ultimate victory for Viveka in his fight against Mahamoha. He adds that Viveka is sure to win a victory being assured by Brahman at whose realisation, Mahamoha is destroyed. Tumburu showing a little diffidence wants to know from Narada how he is sure of Viveka's victory because in a battle always an element of luck is present. Narada reposes confidence again. At this juncture, a loud voice is heard behind the curtain. Then Narada and Tumburu feel delighted. He compares a noise to a Sumptuous feast to the ear. To him the noise is all divine music leading to breaking open the doors of Svarga. Tumburu shares the feelings of Narada. The conversation between them gives a description of the battle. Narada conveys to the audiance, the fight between them is fierceful as weapons are discharged against one another in large number. In charging against one another, both the armies of Viveka and Mahamoha seem to have become one. "In this exciting scene of the battle of the two armies which display, respectively, the prowess of Viveka and Moha, the goddess of victory enjoys, as it were, the pleasure of being seated on a swing, for it is difficult to guess on which side she will turn." 5 "I bow to Lord Viveka, who, in battle, kills his angry foes and whose image is seen in full reflection like the Sun in the fresh pool of blood which is as sweet as honey." 6 "6 5. etasya sambhrtavivekavimohabhumnah senayugasya samarankanasambhramena | prayena samprati vikalpitaya svavrttya doladhirohanarasam labhate jayasrih || S.S. VIII-35, p. 701 6. pranamami vivekadevam prakupitapratipaksapratimathanapradhanam | sonitanavamadhupravahe suryamiva samagralagnapratimanam II S.S. VIII-37, p. 703

103 Then Narada informs that Lobha, armed with the weapon of Viparita - buddhi which makes the enemies fall senseless, is rushing like Ekalavya. But he is then swallowed up by tusti possessing five faces in the form of five jnanendriyas. Then Kama enters who is advancing bow in his hand with an army consisting of young lovely women. "He has arrows of different colours tipped with honey given to him by his esteemed friend, Vasanta ; Kokilas are the healds who sing his praise and swarms of bees form his twanging bow string. He is allied with the breeze blowing from the mountain Malaya and has the shark as his banner." 7 This Kama marching against Viveka. "This Manmatha, armed with his bow of flowers and displaying his banner with the emblem of the shark is coming to the fight being delighted with the array of his lovely women in military formations resembling chariots, elephants and horses in order to please Rati with his heroism." At the same time Viveka, the conqueror of the world, is discharging a counter - missile in the form of woman, namely Virakti to overthrow Kama. " 8 "Having learnt, with great concern, that his friend, Lobha, whose loyalty had been proved to be sound by provocative tests in the form of bribes of three kinds (dharma, artha and Kama) - having heard that this true friend, Lobha, had been consumed in the great digestive fire of contentment, Manmatha entered into the fire of the broad vision of Virakti who was like the deity presiding over the battle field and he became deprived of his body once again." " 9 After Kama is burnt to ashes, the demon, Krodha is approaching the battle field. "This raging fire called Krodha is known to be very powerful and if roused, he will consume not only the entire army of his enemies but also all the mountains, the 7. mahitamadhupradistamadhudigdhavicitrasarah parabhrtavandiman bhramarasamhatigitagunah | malayamarutsakho makara laksana keturasau ghrtadhanurabhyupaiti madanah pramadaprtanah || S.S. VIII - 48, p. 710 rathavaranavajibhih prahrsyanmahilaratnasamuhanena siddhaih | 8. makaradhvaja esa puspadhanva ranamabhyeti ratipriyapadanah 11 S.S. VIII-56, p. 718 9. svamitramupadhatrayaprathitasuddhi lobhatmakam jhatityalaghutustikuksyanaladagdhamityakulah | viraktiranadevatavipuladrstivaisvanaram pravisya makaradhvajah punaranangatamagatah II S.S. VIII-60, p. 721

104 oceans and the earth itself." 10 Viveka directs Ksanti whose rise could not be prevented by any one to put down Krodha. "Krodha's threats, and vile abuse and other such activities were cruel and arrogant; the three worlds slept or kept awake as he closed or opened his eyes; but having bound him hand and foot, Ksanti is now slaying Krodha whose strong arms reveled in the sport of causing violent injuries not sanctioned in the Vedas." 11 (such as injuries for sacrifices and the like). Ultimately Krodha is reduced to the position of the short-lived lightning by Ksanti, who is superior to all other virtues. Then Mahamoha sends his minister, Darpa. "This Darpa, though only one, soared high as if he were many, by virtue of his good birth, wealth, learning, conduct, skill and the like. But on looking at the superior glory of Viveka, he was quickly made to lie dead on the warrior's bed ( in the battle-field) by the lady Atidrsti." 12 Unable to endure the death of Darpa, the demoness Asuya approaches Viveka. But in no time, she is forced by fate to go sleep from which there is no awakening. Thus by the decree of fate, the valiant fighters Darpa and others, in close embrace with their beloved wives Irsa and others are lying on the ground in endless sleep. Further, finding his ministers, killed without exception by Viveka, king Mahamoha appears on the battle - field like Ravana. Viveka too with his wonderful power attacks him. After tumultous fight between them, Mahamoha like the poison • tree falls down due to the force of Viveka, like thunderbolt. 10. 11. 12. api vairivaruthinimasesamapi sailanapi sagaranapi ksmam | grasitum prabhavatyayam pradiptah prathitah kopatanunapadanunah || S.S. VIII-68, p. 726 yasya trasanatarjanaprabhrtayah kruroddhata vrttayo yasyonmesanimesayostribhuvanam nidrati jagarti ca | abadhyainamavaidhahimsanamaha samrambhasambhavitakridoddamarabahudandaladaham krodham nihanti ksama | S.S. VIII-76, p. 729 abhijanadhanavidyavrttadaksyadirupairupadhibhirayameko'nekadha jrmbhamanah | prthumahimavivekapreksanadutpatantya prasabhamadhikadrstya prapito virasayyam || S.S. VIII-86, p. 734

105 Though regaining consciousness, Mahamoha attacks Viveka, the former falls down being struck down by the irresistible Viveka. As Mahamoha has been slain by Viveka, the Dharmas of Krtayuga have won; Sama, Dama and others have triumphed. Thus, like Sri Rama, who slew the Raksasa chiefs that had arisen to cause suffering to good men, Viveka, too, shining like the Sun, has now displayed his prowess in putting down Moha, an act which would please the rsis. 13 At last Tumburu declares that all gods are much delighted at the victory of Viveka. In this manner, king Viveka has made the ocean Mahamoha dry up having quickly drunk it with his might and on his head bowed with modesty, now falls a shower of celestial flowers as fragrant as the refutation of those that speak ill of the eternal bliss of mystic meditation of the Supreme Being. 14 Here ends the eighth Act.