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Essay name: Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)

Author: R. Laxmi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit

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 Sanskrit literature.

Chapter 4a - Characterisation of the play

Page:

18 (of 134)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


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146
eager to attain Brahman and at the same time, has an eye for the prosperity (of
Samsāra). He has a passion for the pleasures of the senses and at the same time,
is ashamed of them. So his contemplation of the Supreme Brahman is both
manifest and unmanifest, and is therefore in sure peril. 1
11 Therefore, Puruṣa studies the treatises which deal with the causes of fear
and also sleeps frequently; he has often a vision of his own self (as apart from the
body) and also satisfies his body duly. He desires the disappearance of the sea of
sorrow and at the same time longs for the pleasures of life. Thus, my friend, being in
conflict with two ideal Puruṣa is now sadly tossed to and fro as an a swing. 12
Being boosted up by the truimphs of Viveka “Puruṣa has now learnt to have a
vision of his self as the result of a special form of meditation; he is unshakable
owing to his control of the senses and other members of his body; he has (good)
control of his breath and having given up all attachment to the things of the world, is
practising the dharma of renunciation." 13
Such Puruṣa is portrayed as bearing with patience, the pairs of opposites
(like pleasure and pain, heat and cold); he has become quick to grasp (the truth of
things). He eats only what happens by mere chance to come to him without any
effort of his and gives up what should be abandoned. Like the bee he has a taste
now for imbibing the true essence of things. He is grateful (for the good done to him)
and is firm in the pursuit of the supreme goal (of life). He delights in solitude and
aspiring to Mukti, fixes his mind on Brahman without being distracted." 14
11.
12.
स्मरति महतामातङ्कानां मनरकुरुत� गृहान् प्रसजत� परब्रहाप्राप्त� समृद्धिमपेक्षत� �
अभिनिविशते भोगोदन्वत्यपत्रपते पुनः प्रणिधिरधुना सिद्धापायः सितासितपद्धतिः �
प्रणिधानविशेषभावितात्म� करणग्रामनिरोधनिष्प्रकम्प� �
निभृतश्वसन� निवृत्तिधर्म� पुरुषस्त्यक्तपरिग्रहोऽयमारते ||
[smarati mahatāmātaṅkānā� manarakurute gṛhān prasajati parabrahāprāptau samṛddhimapekṣate |
abhiniviśate bhogodanvatyapatrapate puna� praṇidhiradhunā siddhāpāya� sitāsitapaddhati� ||
praṇidhānaviśeṣabhāvitātmā karaṇagrāmanirodhaniṣprakampa� |
nibhṛtaśvasano nivṛttidharmā puruṣastyaktaparigraho'yamārate ||
]
S.S. IV-18, p.409
S.S. IV-54, p.440
13.
14.
भयस्थानग्रन्थान्परिपठत� निद्राति � मुहु� स्वमात्मान� पश्यत्युपचरत� देहं � विधिना �
निवृत्ति� दुःखाब्धेरभिलषति रज्यत्यप� सुखे द्विधा वृत्त्या दुःख्यानपुरु� इह डोलायि� इव �
तितिक्षुर्द्वन्द्वान� द्रुतमतिरयत्नोपनतभुक्परित्याज्यत्यागी भ्रम� इव सारग्रहरुचिः �
कृतज्ञ� प्राप्तव्य� नियतधृतिरेकान्तरसिको मुमुक्षु� संधत्त� मुनिरनिभृत� ब्रह्मणि मन� ।।
[bhayasthānagranthānparipaṭhati nidrāti ca muhu� svamātmāna� paśyatyupacarati deha� ca vidhinā |
nivṛtti� duḥkhābdherabhilaṣati rajyatyapi sukhe dvidhā vṛttyā duḥkhyānapuruṣa iha ḍolāyita iva ||
titikṣurdvandvāni drutamatirayatnopanatabhukparityājyatyāgī bhramara iva sāragraharuci� |
kṛtajña� prāptavye niyatadhṛtirekāntarasiko mumukṣu� saṃdhatte muniranibhṛta� brahmaṇi mana� ||
]
S.S. IV-34, p.421
S.S. IX-35, p.778

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