1. Plot (summary) of Ramavarmavilasa

Ramavarmavilasa is another drama of Balakavi. The drame opens with the prologue as usual. The stage director makes his appearance on the stage after the conclusion of Nandi and he pays respects to the concourse of conoissieurs who have come for the festival of Siva at Vrsapura. He then calls the actress and informs her of the desire of the audience to have the play Ramavarmavilasa of Balakavi enacted for their entertainment. The actress nodds assent and sings a song praising the audience for their capacity to discern and relish rasa. The stage director also joins her in paying tributes to the audience for their critical acumen. At that time the jingling sound of omnements is heard. Kaveri end Kenek arrive and the stage director accompanied by the actress leaves the stage. The first ect has an interlude in the beginning. Kaveri informs her friend that king Ramavarman of Cochin has gone on a pilgrimage with his forces after entrusting his kingdom to the care of his brother Godevermen. She also tells her that he would be searching her territory shortly. Kenska fears that as the king will have to contend 1 The present study is based on a transcript prepared from the menuscript .3873 of the Govt. Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras.

574 with several obstacles on the way his arrival may be delayed. Kaveri allays her fears by expatinting at length the prowess of the king. Soon their conversation turns round to Princess Rasachandrika the daughter of the Vidyadhara Ratnapide, who due to a curse is staying in the country nearby. Kaveri suggests whether an alliance can be forged between the princess and king Ramavarma. Kaneks heartily seconds the proposal. The two then devise a plan to effect a meeting between the king and the princess in order to sow the seeds of love and they decide to appear in the form of beautiful 2 parrots for achieving the said objective. The vidushake agitatedly tries to remove the numbness of his limbs after having woken upfrom sleep. Finding that the sun has risen in the eastern horizon, he performs the morning oblations. He then hears the sound of the brahmanas blessing the soverign and he goes tomeet his royal friend. He finds him sitting under a Tamala tree near the confluence of the rivers Kanaka and Kaveri, engaged ina conversation with his minister Veijnenike. The king tells his minister thet he is refreshed by the spraying of the drops of water of Kaveri carried by the breeze coming from it and that his mind is filled with love as though he has bethed in his 8. arya tu kalamancari nama kapi suki bhavita- marhati, ahamapi kusala nama, ityubhe'pyangi krtagurusisya bhave bhavisyavah ! Ibid., Act.I, p.11-12.

535 575 mother's milk, sitting in her lap. At that time, the vidushake makes his appearance before the king end greets him in the customary way. The king receives him and requests him to be seated. The vidusheka does so and having overheard the word 'mother' in the king's description of Kaveri asks him about the relative merits of a child's stay in its mother's womb and lap. The king replies that according to experts on the page of life a child's stay in its mother's womb is painful as it has to remain within a restricted place in the midst of worms inside the abdomen. The vidushake hearing this reply thinks for some time and finally agrees with his view. The kingmeanwhile bids his minister and attendents to take rest and they leave his presence. After sending them he goes with the vidushaka to take rest in arbour As they go, they see the charming scenery around them and are attracted to it. They soon espy a beautiful forest at a distance. While the king is admiring its beauty, the vidushaka shows him a pair of beautiful birds perched on a tree in thet forest. The king is attracted by the colour of the parrots and he ultimately concludes that they may be the pets of some body living in thet forest. As they watch them through the bushes, they sight a beautiful demsel with her face as bright as the moon. They also see beside her another maid whom they surmise to be her friend. The two meidens are seen persuing the parrots taking steps werily and slowly. With a view to watch their activities and also eavesdrop their conversation, the king and his vidus heke take their positions behind the bushes.

576 Princess Rasscandrika and her maid Kumudini find it difficult to capture them. Kumudini seeing the birds eat the Matulunge fruit and the breasts of her mistress mode visible due to the sliding away of the upper cloth mischie vously tells her mistress that the birds would come to her mistaking her breasts as Dindime fruits. The princess on hearing these words immediately covers up her breasts with her cloth. She requests Kumudini to keep silence lest the birds fly away. The king who is watching them feels enthralled by the sight of the princess breasts. Kumudini tells her mistress that the birds seem to be confiding something to each other after looking at them. The princess signs to her to remain silent end extends her hands in a bid to capture the parrots. But to her great disappointment, she fails in the task. Meanwhile the two birds begin to talk to the great surprise of Rasscandrika endher meid. One of them requests the princess not to extend her hand for capturing them, lest it gets wounded by the thorny creepers. The princess immediately seeks pardon from them for trying to capture them. The birds then disclose to the princess that they are themselves responsible for attracting her. An interesting conversation takes place between the birds and theprincess end her meid. On being asked about their identity and where. abouts, one of the birds tells her thet hername is Kalamenjari while that of her friend is Kusela and they they are living in the country of Sahyapada. The princess then asks

Kalamenjari as to which arts is she proficient in. The latter replies that she is capable of giving ambrosia and the power to bestow hundreds of thousands of forms to any. She also says that she con grant any boon sought by women and that there is nothing impossible for her to beget in Kumudini then asks Kelthe mortal and other worlds. manjari to bring before them a suitable bridegroom for her mistress. Kalamajari agrees to her request end by her magical powers brings king Removerman before the princess and her maid. Both the king and the princess are surprised beyond mensure at the mysterious way in which they have been brought together. Kumudini and Kalamanjari greet the king and the letter requests him to take his sent in the bower of creepers. The king accordingly does so along with others. Both the king and the princess are struck with 577 love at the sight of each other and the former confides to his vidushaka as to how his mind is attracted by her charm. The vidushelm using the pun on the word 'dvijati romarks that the end the two birds belong to one and the same family. This remark makes all of them laugh. The king enquires about the name of the birds. Kumudini discloses to him their names. The vidushaka challenges Kalamenjari to give the name of his royal friend. Kalamanjari correctly spells out the name of the king to the great wonder of the vidushake. Kumudini hearing the name of the king remerke that it is wellknown even 3. sakromi datumamrtam tadihaiva loke rupam dadhami satadha ca sahasradha ca ! vasyam karomi sudrsam varamapyabhista nasadhyamasti bhuvi va divi vakkacinnah || Ibid., p.29

57% in her country. The king desires to know as to which country the princess and her maid belong to. Kalamanjari tells him that they hail from the country of the Vidyadhares situated high in the Himalayas. She also tells him that the princess is the daughter of the Vidyadhara king Ratnapida. The vidushaka remarks that such beauty as seen in the princess can rarely be 4 found in mortals. The princess feels bashful on hearing these words. Kumudini requests her mistress to take leave of the king as it is time for their departure. At that time, the voice of Cakorika is heard informing the princess that her father is anxiously waiting to see her. Immediately the princess prepares herself to go and she is sad at the thought that she has to leave her lover. With great difficulty, she takes leave of the king and then proceeds to her palace accompanied by Kalamanjari, Kanaka end her maid. The king lingers for some time and he is lost in thoughts of his beloved. Soon the vaitalika announces the onset of mid-noon and the king goes to perform Madhyandina Sandhya with his vidushaka. The second act begins with the entry of a messenger by name Sarangake. He has been sent by the crown prince Godevarmen from Cochin to deliver a message and a jewel 4. katham vidyadhara kanyakesah anyatha kathamama- nusaloka sulabham saundaryama Ibid., p.36.

579 necklace to king Remaverman. He sees the king in his camp end finds him in a thoughtful mood moving about with his Chamberlain. The king is afflicted with pangs of love. He remembers the vidushake Gargyayens and desires to know about his whereabouts. At that time the vidushake makes his appearance before him. He has gone to bring cooling materials for his friend in order to alleviate his agony. As soon as he meets the king, he confides to him something in his ears. Immediately the king goes with him. Sarengake who is waiting for an audience. finds it an ideal occasion to meet the sovereign and he goes to deliver the letter and the necklace to him. He first presents the letter to the king. The king receives it and reads it. The message says that the kingdom is faring well and that the Pandya king has presented a jewel necklace as token of his appreciation 5 for assisting him. The king after reading the letter dismisses Sarangaka and the Chamberlain from his presence. He gives the casket containing the necklace to the vidushaka and then goes on a walk. The beautiful scenery which the forest presents excites the king's passion very much. The vidushaka is very much agitated over his friend's disconsolation and he takes him to the bower where he has kept ready several 5. Ibid., Act. II, p.46.

58# cooling materials. He makes him sit on the flower bed, fans him with lotus leaves and pours on his body the juice of sandalwood leaves. But they prove to be of no avail in alleviating his friend's agony. On the other hand, the king's condition goes from bad to worse and he almost faints. The vidushaka is at his wit's end to revive his friend and he quickly places the jewel necklace on his neck. The effect produced is so profound that the king regains his consciousness and stretches his hands saying that his beloved has clasped him by his neck. The vidushake happy at his friend's regaining consciousness brings home the fact that what is on his nok is only the jewel necklace. The king expresses his disappointment. He tells him that he is longing for his beloved and doubts whether he cen attain her. The vidushaka assures him that he would certainly attain her. At that time Kelamanjari makes her appearance before the king. She feels very sed at his deplorable condition. The king greets her and makes her sit. KalamenJari enquires of the king about his illness. The vidushaka explains to her as to how his friend has become ill after seeing the princess. He details to her the sufferings undergone by his friend and blames Cupid for it. Kelamanjari then gives them en account of the pengs of love on the part of the princess. She tells him as to how she visited her and consoled her by speaking of his virtues and how she has left

581 The her under the care of her friend Kanaka. She then gives the purpose of her coming namely to get a memento from him for presenting the same to her. The king asks for his friend's suggestion about the token to be given to his beloved. vidushaka suggests to him to present the necklace. The king agrees with his suggestion. The vidushaka who has been entrusted with the casket containing the necklace immediately searches for it and to his great dismay finds it missing. He agitatedly informs his friend that the necklace is missing. The king becomes equally nonpulssed at its mysterious dise appearance. Kalamanjari who is nearby says with a smile that it has gone to its proper destination. The vidushaka is filled with wonder at the way in which the necklace has gone to the princess. Kalamanjari in the course of the conversation informs the king that a Yaksha named Pingelaksha through his friend approached Ratnapida for the hand of his daughter and that the Vidyadhara king turned down the offer. The king says that he 6 is afraid whether the said Yaksha will do any harm to the princess. He requests the goddess to protect his beloved from all dangers. Kalamonjeri assures him to protect his beloved at all costs. The king expresses his anxiety to see his beloved. The vidushaka supporting his friend's point of view pleads with her to bring about a meeting between his 6. Ibid., p.65.

582 friend and his beloved at the earliest. Kelamanjari agrees to his request end asks the king to come to the hermitage of 7 Agastya at the forthcoming 14th day of New Moon phase where she will bring the princess. The king feels very happy on hearing these words. Kalamanjeri meanwhile takes leave of them and disappears. The king with the vidushake goes back to the palace. The third act has a Pravosaka in which the maid Jyotsnika informs her friend Cakorika that the princess has gone to the hermitage of Agastya and that Kalamanjari has been describing to her the qualities of the Kerale emperor. Imme diately after the interlude, the demon Pingalaksha appears. He has come to the sanctuary of sage Agastya to see Resscandrika and he is anxious to know as to where she is staying. With a view to know it from the vidushake who is going that way, ho takes the form of king Ramavarmen and meets him. Gergy yana takes him to be really his royal friend and in the course of the conversation he inadvertently discloses to him the rendezvous where the king and the princess have planned to meet. The two then proceed to the sanctuary of sage Agastya. The demon is unable to enter the sanctuary because of the power of penance of the sage. He therefor tells im that he will wait till he comes back from the hermitage. No sooner does the vidushake goes to the ● agamineि krsnacaturdasidine agastyasramo pakanthavartini tatra bhavato agastyesvarasyayatane sannihitena tvaya bhavitavyam ! tanna tam bhagavadaradhana- vyapade honaha manesyami Ibid.

hermitage, then the demon disappears. On entering the hermitage, he is surprised to find his friend inside it and mistaking him to be the guise assumed by some demon runs away in fear. 583 The king is anxiously waiting for his beloved. He bewails that Cupid is torturing him by shooting his arrows mercilessly at him. He then hears the music of vine coming from the interior ofthe sanctuary and at once presumes that his beloved has como. Be therefore goes deep into the sanctuary and is happy to find the princess along with Rusela and Kumudini. The princess is simultaneously singing andplaying on the vine. The king hears it and is delighted by its melody. Kumudini requests her mistress not to strain herself, as she is unwell. So the princess stops singing and gives the vine to her maid. Kumudini then enquires Kusala whether the king has come. Kusala then points out the king, who is standing nearby. The princess is overwhelmed with emotion and she sheds tears. The king, who is watching, feels happy to find that, the princess has really fallen in love with him. He then makes his appearance before them. The princess, on seeing him, feels bashful and tries to withdraw herself from his view. Kumudini signs to him to come near his beloved. Accordingly, he goes near her and lifts her with his hands. The princess, flush with shyness, manages to come out of his hold and she feigns enger towards her friend. The king appeals to her not to become angry.

584 At that time, the pathetic voice of the vidusheka is heard informing him that he is being manhandled by a demon and appealing for help. The king arms himself with his sword and prepares to go to the aid of his friend. But, the vidusheke soon appears before him. He tells him the 8 details of his encounter with the demon. Kusele tells them the identity of the demon and the purpose for which he has come. The princess on hearing it is filled with fear. Kumudini comforts her not to entertain any fear, so long as her valiant lover is by her side. At that time, the voice of the demon is heard, who in the course of his flight through the sky, beckons the king not to covet the hand of the Vidyadhara princess on whom he (the demon) has set his heart, if he wants good for himself. The king assures his beloved, not to have any fear on account of the demon. Kumudini informs the king that the time for their departure has come. The king reluctantly agrees to their going leaving him. Accompanied by Kumudini and Kusala, the princess goes back to her palece. The king is again beset with doubts asto whether he would be able to attain his beloved. The vidusheke assures him that he would ere long be united with the princess. In In the interlude to the fourth set, through a conversation between Kumudini and Kalamanjari, the marriage of king Ramavarmen with Resacandrita according to Gandharva 8. Ibid., Act. III, p.92.

585 585 custom is announced. Besides, the king's return to his city and his beloved's visit to her native country efter the lapse of her curse are mentioned. The king takes rest in his palace after his tiresome tour. The crown prince goes to meet him. The king warmly receives him. After presenting the sword, he goes to show the king the painting on the walls of the palace done by eminent artists illustrating his pilgrimage to Cidembara, Sriranga, Kenchi etc. The king speaks very high of the paintings and congratulates his nephew for having them drawn. The sound of the bell is heard proclaiming the beginning of the first yama of the night. The crown prince takes leave of the king and goes to his residence. The king with the vidusheke retires to the palace. With the outset of night, the moon has risen and it is shining in all its glory. The king is disconcerted and he suffers pangs of love. He blames the moon for burning him hot by his rays. At that time, Resseendrika with her friend Kumadini comes from the sky, in order to meet the king. The king feels very glad on seeing his beloved and he welcomes her. All of them sit in the couch. The vidusheke feeling sleepy, takes leave of the king for going to bed. Kumudini also quietly slips away. Thus, the couple left alone, spends the night happily admiring the moon and the moon-lit garden. At that time, the voice of Gargyayana is heard saying that he is kicked by somebody. The king hearing it concludes that his friend is talking in sleep. 8. nunam utsvapnayate gargyayanah ! 9 Ibid., Act. IV, p.121.

586 But Rasacandrika is agitated. As they are watching with anxiety, the king's first wife queen Candralekha suddenly arrives accompanied by her maid to meet the king. No sooner does Cendralekha sees the king then Resecendrike disappears by her magical power. The king greets her and makes solicitations of love to her. The queen pretends to be angry and disregarding his protestations of love, accuses him of infidelity for having contacts with another woman. The king's reply does not satisfy her. When he tries to touch her hands, she asks him not to touch her and prepares to go. By dawn the vidushaka awakes from his sleep and comes to meet the king. He is surprised to see the angry face of the queen. Without paying heed to the king's appeals, queen Candralekha suddenly goes accompanied by her maid. The king tells his friend that his left eye is t throbbing and that he does not know what bed things it forecasts. The vidushake also shares his misgivings. At. the end of the not the king goes to keet queen Cendralekha accompanied by the vidushaka. In the interlude to the fifth act, it is stated that the kingwith the vidusheka is resting in the Priyankarodiyena. The king is suffering intensely from pangs of love. Thoughts of his beloved overwhelm him. The vidushaka gets bewildered on seeing his friend's condition. The king desires to draw apainting of his beloved end the vidusheka goes to bring the painting materials. In the meanwhile, the king unable to bear the agony falls into a swoon.

587 After some time, he gets revived and he sees to his delight Kalamanjari and Kaneka stending before him. He greets them. Kelemenjari informs him that the Vidyadhare emperor Ratnepide, on coming to know of queen Candralekha's anger, has sent through her a crest jewel capable of removing all traces of anger and bitterness in human beings. She then presents the crest jewel to the king, who gladly receives it. The king informs them that, queen Condralekha is going to offer worship to the god of love, in order to win over him and that he intends to meet her at that time. Kalamanjari approves his idea. Meanwhile, the sound of the jingling of anklets is heard and Resacandrika accompanied by her maid arrives. The vidushaka requests Kelamanjari to exert her powers to restore cordiality between the king andqueen Candralekha. Kalamanjari agrees and she goes with her disciple to watch the worship of queen Cendrelekha. The king requests Resacandrika and her maid to go invisibly to the mengo tree near the place of worship. princess agrees to his suggestion and accordingly goes with her maid. The king also goes with the vidushaka to the place of worship and the two watch the queen by hiding themselves behind the bushes. Kalamanjari and Kunaka arrive at the place where Candralekha has decided to offer worship. They then greet Condralekha who arrives for the worship. The queen is touched by their cordiality. menjari then reveals to her the purpose of their errand. She tells her that she has been sent by Ratnapida who on coming to know of the marriage of his daughter Resecendrike The Kal-

588 with the Kerala king gave her a musical composition to be given to her. The meaning of the composition is thet he (the Vidyadhara emperor) has considered Candralekha as his eldest daughter and Rasacandrika only as his second issue 10 and that he requests her to be friendly to her sister. The queen expresses her willingness to abide by the request. Kalamanjari by her magical powers brings the king, the vidushaka, Rasacandrika and her maid before Candralekha. As directed by Kalamanjari, Candralekha embraces Rasacendriks. The river goddesses then instruct the two queens to remain friendly to each other. After blessing the king and his wives, Kalamanjari accompanied by Kenaka disappears. The epilogue is as follows. rajanah palayantu ksitivalayamidam nitimargena yuktah prthvi samsyabhipurna phalatu bahuphalam drstayah santu visvak ! videhesu vani viharatu ramaya sakhyamapta hadhiyah sambhorbhaktirnaranam bhavatu caranayoh santatam candramaule "May the kings who follow the righteous peth protect the earth. May the earth be full of plants bearing plenty of fruits. May there be rain on the earth. May learning flourish in the homes of the leamed in firm end close association with wealth. May people always have devotion at the feet of Sambhu (who has the moon as his crest". 10 Ibid., Act.V, p.144. 11 Ibid., p.148.