महावीरचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - वीररस-प्रधान रामकथा नाटक सम्पूर्ण ७ अङ्क सटीक)

Introduction [lxxxviii It is touches like these¹ that tell us as much about the character of the chamberlain as the two descriptions of it given by Kālidāsa (Śākuntala, v. i; Vikramorvaśīya, iii. 1). In this connexion we may observe that the poet is at pains to put in the mouth of each character words the most appropriate. Thus Lava, pupil of the saint Vālmīki, speaks a language that is tinged with religious learning (v. 31¹), just as the language of Janaka is tinged with the philosophy for which he is so famous in the Upanishads. Tamasā, the River-goddess, is full of similes drawn from her experience in the water.² The two ascetic youths in the interlude to act iv, Uttara-Rāma-charita, take a keen pleasure in logical discussions, attempting to detect fallacies and draw subtle distinctions, just as students might have done in the great mediaeval universities of India. Bhavabhūti has also given us some very beautiful pictures of animals, investing them of course with human feelings.³ 48. Conclusion.—But it is hardly necessary to enumerate all such merits one by one. Appreciative criticisms of this sort are more or less subjective, and it is no longer the fashion for a translator or an editor of an ancient text to take his reader by the button, stop him in front of every picture, and ask him to admire it, and even to tell him how he should admire it. If a modern reader, and especially a foreigner, is given just the help necessary to understand the exact situation, and to get from it the exact implication that was got by a Hindu of Bhavabhūti's time who saw the play acted, that is all that can be expected in an edition like this. Once the preliminary ground has been cleared, and the needful informa- tion given, the play can confidently be left to win its own conquests. It will not lack readers. In India it has never lacked enthusiastic admirers. Never, O never mayest Thou condemn me to sing my song unto hearts that answer not! Such was the prayer of an old Sanskrit poet. A deeper note was struck by Bhavabhūti: It may be that a spirit kindred to mine will some day be born; for time is endless, and the world is wide! ¹ Cp. also our Note to U. R. C. iii. 26². iii. 43ᶜ; and iii. 48. ² Cp. U. R. C. iii. 13ᵈ; iii. 24; iii. 30; iii. 35ᵇ; ³ Cp. iii. 15 f. ; iii. 20 ff. ; iv. 1ᵃᵇ ; iv. 26 ; &c.