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Essay name: Bhasa (critical and historical study)

Author: A. D. Pusalker

This book studies Bhasa, the author of thirteen plays ascribed found in the Trivandrum Sanskrit Series. These works largely adhere to the rules of traditional Indian theatrics known as Natya-Shastra.

Page 153 of: Bhasa (critical and historical study)

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153 (of 564)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


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133
at least, is a real tragedy, though Meerwarth would include
the Dgh and Dv in addition, under a 'Tragical Trilogy'."
The latter two cannot be called tragedies; though we cannot
go so far as to say, as Dr. Winternitz does, that they
are by a different author. It is not that Duryodhana
is depicted as an evil man in the Uru. In all
his dramas, Bhāsa shows a soft corner for the fallen heroes
and especially he has painted Duryodhana as a real hero,
quite distinct from what we read about him in the Mbh.
His spirited reply to Kṛṣṇa as a messenger would serve as
the guiding principle for all times." Duryodhana is depicted
what a noble king ought to be like. Throughout in the
Uru we find that the poet is always sympathizing
with his hero, who is certainly Duryodhana, and he
pictures the conflict as of right with right, and that it
was not only inevitable but necessary in the ends of
justice.
Bhima's victory over Duryodhana in the gadāyuddha
is due to the wiles of Krsna and we find that Duryodhana
fights righteously and that he was more adept in the
club-fight than Bhima. Next, Duryodhana evokes our
sympathy, when he, with his broken thighs restrains
Balarama who, in righteous indignation sets up to uproot
the Pandavas. Let the Pāṇḍavas remain, says he, to
offer us oblations." He gets shocks one after another when
he hears the queens lament ( यन्ममापि स्त्रियो रूदन्त� � [yanmamāpi striyo rūdanti | ] P. 101 ),
when the broken thighs prevent him from prostrating at
his father's feet, and when he has to refuse his thigh for a
seat to his son. The poet has portrayed Duryodhana as a
dutiful son, loving husband, affectionate father, and a
noble warrior. Though fallen, he is not crest-fallen, sees
nothing to repent and feels proud of the fact that he did
not show his back in war (aga: 1 st. 55). His
final advice to Durjaya (p. 109. अहमि� पाण्डवाः शुश्रूषयितव्या� � )
[ahamiva pāṇḍavā� śuśrūṣayitavyā� | )
]
shows us that in his fall he finds purification. He
reaches a higher plane of morality. His soul is chastened
and subdued and cherishes the thought of peace and
6 1 JASB, 13, p. 274. 2 JRRI, 5, p. 6. In the next chapter we have refuted
Prof. M. Ramachandra Rao's view about the Karna and the Vent being tragedies.
We could not include the discussion here as we got the article from the learned
Professor rather late. 359 Do, St. 24: राज्यं ना� नृपात्मजैः सहृदयै� [rājya� nāma nṛpātmajai� sahṛdayai� ] etc. 4 Uru,
p. 94 : स्वमूरुमभिहत्य कामप� संज्ञा� प्रयच्छत� जनार्दनः � [svamūrumabhihatya kāmapi saṃjñā� prayacchati janārdana� | ] st. 19: संशिक्षितो नरपतिर्बलवांस्तु भीमः �
[saṃśikṣito narapatirbalavāṃstu bhīma� |
]
5 Tra, st. 31: जीवन्त� ते कुरुकुलस्य निवापमेघाः � [jīvantu te kurukulasya nivāpameghā� | ] 6 Üru, pp. 103-105.

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