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
68 (of 134)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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given to him by his esteemed friend, Vasanta; Kokilas are the healds who sing his
praise and swarms of bees from his twanging bow - string. He is allied with the
breeze blowing from the mountain Malaya and has the shark as his banner." 17
"Here is a woman of the Padmini type playing in front; on another side is a
cittini; elsewhere is a Śankini and on another still, is a Hastini. These four charming
counsellors of Manmatha, the archer who assaults (every one in) the three worlds,
promote his glory by their expressive glances and are indeed powerful.� 1
Similarly, observing Kāma's mearness to the chariot of Viveka, Tumburu
anticipates thus:
"This insane Manmatha wants to fight with the great Viveka with the help of
young women of the following description: the woman who has just had her bath
after the period, the woman who is fatigued with dancing, the woman who is
wearied on account of a long journey, the woman intoxicated with liquor, the woman
who, after being angry with her lover, has relented, the woman who has become
reconciled to her husband after a period of separation and the woman who has
newly been wedded." 19
On looking at Virakti, Kāma feels that his plans have failed. His attendants
also appear to entertain doubts regarding his success. Yet Kāma tries to scatter the
forces of Viveka. He plans to conquer Viveka and his allies banded together.
Therefore he is marching ahead armed with his bow of flowers, along with the array
of his lovely women in military formations resembling chariots, elephants, horses
etc. in order to please Rati with his heroism. But atlast, Kāma entered into the fire
of the broad vision of Virakti who is like the duty presiding over the battle-field. Thus,
Kāma once again deprived of his body.
17.
महितमधुप्रदिष्टमधुदि ग्धविचित्रशर� परभृतवन्दिमान् भ्रमरसंहतिगीतगुण� �
मलयमरुत्सख� मकरलक्षण केतुरस� घृतधनुरभ्युपैत� मदनः प्रमदापृतन� ||
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[mahitamadhupradiṣṭamadhudi gdhavicitraśara� parabhṛtavandimān bhramarasaṃhatigītaguṇa� |
malayamarutsakho makaralakṣaṇa keturasau ghṛtadhanurabhyupaiti madana� pramadāpṛtana� ||
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] S.S. VIII 48, p.710
18.
19.
काचित्क्रीडत� पद्मिनी� पुरत� काप्यन्यतश्चित्रिणी शङ्खिन्यप्यपरत्र काचिदितर� हस्तिन्यसावन्यतः |
तस्यैतस्� समृद्धिमेत� सरसप्रेक्षानिरूढोदयं चित्रं मन्त्रिचतुष्टय� त्रिभुवनावस्कन्दिन� धन्विन� ||
ऋतुस्नात� नृत्तग्लपिततनुरध्वश्रमवती मदक्षीबा क्रुद्धप्रसदनव� भिन्नघटिता �
इदंपूर्वेत्येवंविधयुवतियूथेन सहित� युयुत्सत्युन्मत्तः रम� इह विवेके� महता ||
[kācitkrīḍati padminīha purata� kāpyanyataścitriṇ� śaṅkhinyapyaparatra kāciditarā hastinyasāvanyata� |
tasyaitasya samṛddhimeti sarasaprekṣānirūḍhodaya� citra� mantricatuṣṭaya� tribhuvanāvaskandino dhanvina� ||
ṛtusnātā nṛttaglapitatanuradhvaśramavatī madakṣībā kruddhaprasadanavata bhinnaghaṭitā |
idaṃpūrvetyevaṃvidhayuvatiyūthena sahito yuyutsatyunmatta� ramara iha vivekena mahatā ||
] S.S. VIII 49, p.711
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S.S. VIII 50, p.712
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