1.7. Minor themes of court poetry

[Full title: Court poetry (7) Minor themes of court poetry]

Among other verses incidental to court life may be mentioned those attributed to the Sandhivigrahins, announcing the arrival of the envoys of different princes at Yasodhara's court (3. 246-9); the verses containing the challenge of his warriors to the king of Pancala (3. 405 ff); and the eulogistic verses recited by the bard Marganamalla during Yasodhara's archery practice (3. 466-72). There are also groups of verses which describe various court festivals. One such group is connected with the spring festival when the god of love is worshipped by the king. The latter is asked to put on vernal attire in a series of verses (3. 447-56), while the sport of swings which forms part of the festivities in honour of Cupid is described in the verses quoted below: navakisalayapugi padapastambhasobhah sitata phalakantasokavallimatanah | manikusuma dukulollocaketuprakantastava nrpavara dolah kurvatam kamitani || vakram vakramupaiti yatra nayane netrapratispardhini vaksah pinapayodharagrakalanat sollasalilantaram | istau istasamipavrttivalitau jange ca janghasrite dolandolanamanganarpitabharam tat kasya na pritaye || May the swings, o best of kings, fulfil thy desires! They are beautiful with poles of areca trees with fresh young leaves, and fitted

with branching Asoka creepers with camphor wood boards attached to the ends. Charming they are with canopies and banners of silk set with flower-shaped gems. Who is not delighted by the oscillation of the swings, the women adding their weight? During the sport, mouth comes near mouth; eyes meet eyes; the heart is enraptured at the contact of the partner's high projecting bosom; hands move close to hands; and legs are entwined with legs.' (3. 447, 458). A bard named Sunasukta recites a few verses (3. 462-464) describing to the king the Festival of Lights (dipotsava): dyutonmaditakamini jitadhrtapranesa catutkatah kridadvara vilasinijana bhavadbhusavikalpodbhatah | atodyadhvani mangalarava bharavyajrmbhitasamukhah pritim purnamanorathasya bhavatah pusyat pradipotsavah || May the Festival of Lights bring delight to thee, whose desires are fulfilled! It is enlivened by the flattering words of lovers, defeated in gambling, and held fast by their mistresses, excited by the game. It is charming with the varied adornment of the courtesans, engaged in sports. The regions of the sky resound with the deep auspicious notes of instrumental music.' (3. 463). The blessings of the goddess Aparajita are invoked on the occasion of the Mahanavami festival by a bard named Vijayajaitrayudha for the victory of the king on the battlefield (3. 459-61): khange khangatanusthitirdhanusi ca prapta dhanuh samhatim bane banavapurbhuje bhujamayi gatre tanutrakrtih | samgrame'grajayaya cintita vidhau cintamanirbhubhujam ya sa syadaparajita tava muhujainraya dhanripate || May Aparajita contribute to thy victory oft and anon, o king! In the sword of kings she is incarnate as a Sword, and in their bow she assumes the shape of a Bow. She is incarnate as Arrow in their arrows and as Arm in their arms, and assumes the form of an armour round their bodies: she is as a Wishing Gem in fulfilling their desire for triumph in battles.' (3. 459). The blessings of Sarasvati are similarly invoked during the Purvaranga ceremony in the court theatre on the occasion of dance performances, and we have here a specimen hymn to Sarasvati recited on such occasions (3.261-268): svargesadam vadanapadma nivasahamsi vidyadharasravanamandanaravarekha | bhuvasamanasavibhusanaharayastirvagdevata nrpa tavatanutam hitani || samdhyasu prativasaram srutistatirbaddhva pranamanjalim yogasvapamupetya dugdhajaladhau sesasritah sripatih | sambhuyayati caksasutravalayam krtva kare'nanyadhirdevi tvatpadapankajadvayamidam sarvarthakamapradam || May the Goddess of speech confer benefits on thee, o king! She is a swan abiding in the lotus mouths of the gods; a spray of jewels adorning the ears of the Vidyadharas; a pearlstring embellishing the minds of

mortals Everyday at morn, noon and eve, Brahma, Visnu and Siva intently contemplate thy lotus feet that grant all objects and desires, o goddess! Brahma, by folding his hands in obeisance; Visnu that lies on the serpent Ananta in the Ocean of Milk, by resorting to Yogic trance; and Siva, by holding in his hand a rosary of Rudraksa beads!' (3. 264-5).