The character of Krodha (the personification of anger)

[Full title: Characters of the play Sankalpa-Surodaya, forming the counterpart of the main hero (4) Krodha (the personification of anger)]

The role of Krodha in the drama is drawn as the personification of anger. He is one of the assistants to Mahamoha. He appears on the stage twice in the drama, i.e. first in the fourth Act, and second in the eight Act. He enters in a dreadful apparel. He rebukes the followers of Viveka: "who is the dependent of Viveka that indulges in the idle talk of subduing Kama and Krodha ?"1 He is very proud of his power. He boasts of his valour i.e; "the dancing master who teaches the soldiers on the horrid field of battle to enact their defiant dance of war and how does this talk of Viveka arise ?" The Asuras are my followers and owing to the fever of fear arising from them, the wives of the gods find that the 20. sambhogekantyavadi nirayabhayakathabhangasangi nikamam sastracchinnardhadehadvayaghatanabhavaddivyadampatyasilpi | prakhyatatikramo'sau parapurusavasairgopakanyasaha sairekastrailokyavirah smara iha mrditah kvavatistheta kopah || S.S. VIII - 66, p.724 1. kah khalvasau vivekavasavarti kamakrodhaprasamana kathavrtha jalpamupakalpayati || S.S. IV - p.413

198) application of sandal paste to their breasts is all in vain. (for it fails to cool their body.)" 2 Krodha has close friendship with Kama. Therefore, listening to the Krodha's words of valour, Kama first of all welcomes Krodha and happily calls him Maharathi, then endorses Krodha,s feelings he says that Krodha is able enough to obstruct Purusa's meditation. So, too, Vasanta is another friend of Krodha. As all these are making their efforts to get victory for Mahamoha, Vasanta informs Krodha to occupy the place in Purusa, so that Krodha can easily vitiate Viveka's efforts. Having the support of both Vasanta and Kama Krodha's enthusiasm gets dubbled. Praising himself Krodha says that he has avoided the persons like sage Jamadagni who was once attacked by king of the Heyhayas and who bore it with patience and who did not invoke a curse of him. He further says that he treats the path of the persons like Ravana and never bowdown to anyone. Further he expresses that he has caused the fall of men of extraordinary power by his plans."³ Moreover, he proclaims that even though Purusa has given up his attachment to worldly things and sensual pleasures he causes in him on occasions such as the stealing and hiding of the articles like rags of cloth, grass seat and Kamandala, mental excitement; the uttering of lies, the desire to make false accusations (of others), tale-bearing and mental celusion and (thus) bring about the loss of Samadhi."4 Sometimes Krodha praises the strength of others like Vasanta : "Manmatha is ever bent on devouring the wealth of pure spiritual meditation; he is now fishing in the sea of sins which is thick with (six) heavy waves (hunger nh ayamahamudbhataprathanacaramataragatinatapatirutthitah kathamudetu vivekakatha | yadanuvidhayidaityabhayasamjvaritasu mudha surasubhatipayodharatatisu patirarasah || S.S. IV 24, p.414 3. jamadagnimukhan parityajan parigrhnan dasakamdharadikan | vinipatitavanupayatah purusanadbhutapaurusanaham || 4. S.S. IV 40, p.428 pumsastyaktaparigrahasya visayagrahojjhitasyapyaham kanthavistarakundikadiharanapracchadanadyasrayah | antahksobhamalikajalpamasadaropasprham paisunam sammohadi ca sammukhayya sahasa dasye samadhiksayam || SS. IV 41, p. 428

199 thirst, delusion, grief, etc.) to catch silly creatures playing therein with the bait of pleasure and will use them as condiment for his meal." He expects Mahamoha's help and guidance in attacking Viveka, though he himself is capable of doing it so. That is why, he does not like to take abrupt decision to march against Viveka. Of course, as per the command of Mahamoha Krodha enters the battle - field in the eighth Act. Seeing the entrance of Krodha in a dreadful manner. Narada describes as below: "Do you think it untrue that he made Himavan, the greatest of mountains, fuel for the fire of his hunger? While thirsty, he sipped off five or six oceans in an instant. He broke down the rocks in mountain Meru and wears two of them as big ear-rings. This demon Krodha of such great renown, is now approaching the battle - field." 6 His weapons are born with him. They are like hands, feet, legs, teeth etc. These weapons are his playthings."7 His actions are dreadful : "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 oceans and the earth itself." " 8 In spite of his irresistable might he could not fulfil the desire of Mahamoha. He finally is reduced to death by Ksanti. It is thus described : 5. 6. anagharamadhirampadudarambhariratmabhavah pravalamahormijalagarile duritambunidho | jadamati jantujatamupajataviharamasau sukhavadisavakrstamupadamsadasam na ‍ ti || ksudindhanavasumdharadharadhuramdharah kim mrsatrsarabhara cusanaksapita pancapambhonidhih | hathatrutita hataka calatati brhatkundalah prasarpati ranankanam prathita esa kampasurah || S.S. IV 56, p.441 S.S. VIII 67, p.725 7. pratighasubhatasya visvam praharanamathava vihartumupakaranam || 8. karacarananakharadantaprabhrtikamapi jagati sahajamitaradapi | api vairivaruthinimasesamapi sailanapi sagaranapi ksmam | grasitum prabhavatyayam pradiptah prathitah kopatanunapadanunah || S.S. VIII-70, p.726 S.S. VIII - 68, p.726

200 "The horrible might of this fire called Krcdha is displayed in such cruel entertainment as parricide and its destruction of men reputed noble and great. It was notoriously seen on occasions like Daksa's Yajna, Krodha is (indeed) the enemy of all happiness (on earth) and bars the way to Svarga and Moksa. He is now reduced to the position of the short-lived lightning by Ksanti."⁹ Thus, Krodha's role has been portrayed just like a short-lived lightning. He shown as a dutiful servant of Mahamoha. He make all efforts to the best of his capacity but everything is reduced to the destruction of himself.