Essay name: Arts in the Puranas (study)
Author:
Meena Devadatta Jeste
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Pune
This essay studies the Arts in the Puranas by reconstructing the theory of six major fine arts鈥擬usic, Dance, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Literature鈥攆rom the Major and Minor Puranas. This thesis shows how ancient sages studied these arts within the context of cultural traditions of ancient India.
Chapter 2 - Dance in the Puranas
35 (of 43)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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107
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water-lily, in whose buds the clustering bees were murmuring
their songs, felt inclined to join with the Gopis in sport.
Accordingly he and Rama commenced singing sweet low strains
in various measures. As soon as the Gopis heard the melody
gathered there..... Many of the Gopis imitated the different
actions of arsna. As each of the Gopis, however attempted to
keep in one place, close to the side of Krsna, the circle of
the dance could not be constructed and he therefore took each
by the hand and when their eyelids were shut by the effects of
鈥�43
such a touch, the circle was formed."
This statement is made clear by the commentator.
In
the words of Wilson, "Krsna, it is said in order to form the
circle, takes each damsel by the hand and leads her to her
place. There he quits her : but the effect of the contact is
such that it deprives her of the power of perception and she
contentendly takes the hand of her female neighbour thinking
it to be Krena's."
Brahmavaivarta Purana, Sriranajanmakhanda, chapter 17,
verses 163-176, describes the Rasa dance. But the Rasamandala
described in this Purana is not the usual circular dance
formation but a circular space. It is surrounded by jewelled
wall. There are beautiful gardans on all its sides. The
beaded lamps and the golden pitchers have enhanced the beauty
of the Rasamandala. Here we find the artificial decoration
for the dance. This Rasamandala is also called the R膩sasthala.
Krsna danced in the centre of the Rasamandala with his
