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 225 of: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
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205
Dgh more or less emphasizes the righteous warfare
and the observance of the ethics of the battle-field, and
the proper respect to be paid to the elders. The 虐ru is
principally a drama depicting the self-respect of a dignified
sovereign incidentally referring to the covetability of death
on the battle-field and the devotion to one's parents.
笔础脩颁础搁膧罢搁础.
Title. The play gets its name from 'Five Nights'
within which Drona is to bring news of the P膩峁囜笉avas to
entitle them to their share of the kingdom according to
Duryodhana's stipulation (pp. 43-44).
Plot. After the benedictory stanza in which the
names of the principal characters in the drama are
introduced, the stage-manager hears the praise of the
grand sacrifice performed by Duryodhana; three
Br膩hma峁嘺s between themselves give a detailed description.
of the sacrifice, the sacrificial fire, the Br膩hma峁嘺s engaged
therein, etc. at great length. Towards the close of their
conversation which ends the interlude, the Br膩hma峁嘺s
announce the entry of Bhisma and Drona followed by
Sakuni, Karna and Duryodhana. All those assembled
congratulate Duryodhana on the successful termination of
the sacrifice which was the sine qua non of the K峁triya
emperors. Duryodhana then pays his respects to Drona,
Bhisma, and Sakuni, and they confer their blessings on
him. He embraces his friend Karna. Then Dro峁嘺
introduces the kings that had come to attend the function
and in accordance with their respective ages Duryodhana
either salutes them or pronounces his blessings for
them. Drona presents, Abhimanyu to Duryodhana
but simultaneously Sakuni presents Sahadeva, son of
Jar膩sandha, and hence Abhimanyu is placed in the
back-ground and Sahadeva receives blessings from
Duryodhana. Duryodhana notices the absence of Vir膩ta
in the great circle of kings assembled, and Sakuni states
that the king was invited and perhaps might be on
his way. Then Duryodhana offers to give dak峁n膩
to Drona; the latter, after much hesitation, begins to
state his dak峁峁嚹�, but his eyes are full of tears at which
Bhisma says that all the efforts of Duryodhana were
fruitless as his preceptor was in grief. Duryodhana gives a
solemn undertaking to offer anything that Drona might be
