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.
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is named from the hero or the heroine. There are also
slaves, viá¹as, and rogues of various kinds in the
±Ê°ù²¹°ì²¹°ù²¹á¹‡a.
PrakaraṇikÄ, Saá¹á¹aka, Troá¹aka and many others are
minor rūpakas.
Now we shall deal with each play in our group in
brief, giving its plot, type, sentiments, and offering our
critical remarks at the end of each section. It is already
stated that BhÄsa is credited with having written a work
on dramaturgy. In these plays we get instances of
Vyayoga, Samavakara, Anka, NÄtikÄ or IhÄmá¹›ga, NÄá¹aka
and Prakarana (if the later acts of the Car be unearthed).
Probably BhÄsa may have written plays illustrating every
type of the Sanskrit drama as defined in the texts of his
time; and time may bring those works before us in future.
We have stated that BhÄsa might have been the court-
poet of some pre-Mauryan emperor. The one-act plays
seem to have been written by the poet specially with the
purpose of instructing the princes and impressing on their
minds the importance of various virtues, heroism, religious
observances, politics, etc. They were clearly written with
didactic purpose.
¶Ù±«°Õ´¡³ÕÄ€°³Û´¡.
Title: The play is named 'DÅ«tavÄkya' as it deals
with the advice (väkya) of Kṛṣṇa to Duryodhana as an
emissary (düta) of peace from the Pandavas.
Plot-After reciting the mangala-śloka in praise of
Upendra, the stage-manager is disturbed by a noise from
behind the curtain, made by the chamberlain in
proclaiming that His Majesty, Emperor Duryodhana,
wanted to consult the princes in the Council Chamber
with regard to the selection and appointment of the
Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurava forces in the
ensuing war for which all preparations were ready. Tents.
were pitched, armoury, arsenal, etc., were all equipped.
After the elders and the princes are assembled and have
taken their proper seats, Duryodhana puts the question
as to who should lead the Kauravas, and on the suggestion
of Sakuni, it is decided to crown the veteran Bhisma as
the Commander. Just then the chamberlain enters with
