Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)
by R. Laxmi | 1998 | 94,004 words
This is an English study of the Sankalpa Suryodaya—an allegorical Sanskrit drama by Venkatanatha, a distinguished philosopher-poet and dramatist of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta tradition. This work of Venkata-natha (or, Vedanta Deshika). stands out for integrating allegory to convey moral and philosophical truths. The thesis examines its place in Sa...
The characters of Abhinivesa and Durvasana
[Full title: Characters of the play Sankalpa-Surodaya, forming the counterpart of the main hero (9) Abhinivesa and Durvasana]
Abhinivesa plays the role of a Treasurer in the drama. He is represented as a obstinate addiction to some evil habits. He enters the stage in the eight Act. He introduces himself and reveals his nature in the Misra-Viskambhaka : "Under my influence, men delight in the seven evil habits in which they have begun to indulge to no purpose. Though beaten by a storm of obstacles they never give up what they have once begun. Though it is subject to various kinds of suffering and fear they never give up the eager pursuit of wealth as the (only) goal of life. I am 3. 4. sarvadharah katham bhuyatsarvadosavivarjitah | tathaiva sarvakamarthi nirapeksah katham prabhuh || anaghagunaughamekamavadhutasamabhyadhikam svavitaraniyasarvapurusarthamupastipadam | upanisadusarantaparivartanadhusaradhirna khalu viveka esa mayi tisthati sadhayita || S.S. III 7, p.344 S.S. III 10 p.346 -
212 Abhinivesa the finance minister of Mahamoha in charge of his treasury and am always addicted to some one thing or other (being blind to other interests) ?1 Further he continues that "I am the brother of the worthy Lobha born after him, and I grow in strength on my own account as a reaction to the feeling of dependency." 2 He gives expression to distress and agony to which his entire family has fallen : "Alas I great danger confronts our race. For Purusa was first given instruction in Vedanta. His wavering faith in the scripture revealing the Supreme Brahman was made staunch and unshakable by an exhibition of the weakness of other systems of religious thought. He was then advised to adopt an Upaya with its angas for the attainment of Moksa. Kama, Krodha and others have been rejected. The place fit for meditation has also been investigated. A decision has been arrived at regarding a pure object for mental concentration. A strong desire has been created (in him) for the performance of the great yoga with a suitable object for meditation and accompanied by mental serenity, control of the senses, freedom from the desire for pleasures and the rest." 3 The role of Durvasana, here can be brought together with Abhinivesa, as she co-operates in Abhinivesa's dealings. She is the spouse of Abhinivesa. Durvasana is in close confidence of Durmati and hence the latter always takes the help of the former. She closely treads the path of Abhinivesa. Therefore, Durvasana asks for details of the happenings to her husband - Abhinivesa, the latter replies. 1. 2. 3. - hrsyanti vyasanesu saptasu mudha'rabdhesu matpreritah prarabdham na parityajanti ca muhuh pratyuhavatyahatah | nanaduhkhabhayanake'pi na jahatyarthe pumarthe ratim mohasyabhinivesa ekadrgaham kosadhikare sthitah || SSVIII - 1, p.664 avasadaprasangesu svayamuttambhanodyatah | ahamaryasya lobhasya bhrata caramasambhavah || S.S. VIII - 2, p.665 aho mahatsamparayikamupasthitamasmakasyanvavayasya yadiha vivekena prathamamadhyatmavidyamasiksyata purusah yaccasau matantaradaurbalyaprakasanena parabrahaprakasake sastre prasamita sradvavaikalyah yadapi va saparikare moksopaye samsukhirtah vimukhikrtasca kamakrodhadayah vimrstam ca kimapi samyamasthanam avadharitam ca dharanayah subhamalambanam praripsitasca samadamavairagyadiparikarmitah salambano mahayogah | S.S. VIII - p. 666
213 "My love! Kama is won by Aversion and Krodha by patience, Lobha by contentment, conceit by spiritual study and so on." » 4 After entertaining doubts of his efforts, Abhinivesa decides to give up the he desires to approach Viveka; camp of Mahamoha. Disguised as and he asks Durvasana to become Mahamoha and the resultant Pralaya: | They anticipate a calamity to "Eagles are seen hovering round the top of the pillar supporting the triumphal arch at the portico; cyclones have torn to pieces the banner - clothes in our armies which are now without banners. The different quarters are seen occupied by Yama's servants armed with spears, daggers, swords, clubs, bows and other weapons as if by the agents who bring about Pralaya."5 But, both Abhinivesa and Durvasana see king Mahamoha getting ready for the battle, and become anxious to know about Mahamoha's victory. 6
4. priye, kamo jugupsaya kopastitiksaya, lobhastustya, ahamkara atmavidyaya | evamanye'pi | S.S. VIII p.669 5. grdhastoranasaila srrngamabhito'grhnannabhomandalam vatyamandalakhanditadhvajapatisunyani sainyani nah sulaprasakrpanamudgaradhanuh krurairmuhuh kimkarairdrsyante parivarita iva disah samvartasamvartakaih || | S.S. VIII - 4, p.672 6. amusmindivase svo va nrnam niryativaibhavat | amohamavivekam va jagadetadbhavisyati || S.S. VIII 7, p.674 -