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

5] Synoptic Analysis of the Play ACT I. THE PICTURE-GALLERY TRANSLATION, PAGES 17–30. Scene 1 (i. 7³—i. 14³). Ayodhyā: A chamber in Rāma's palace. Enter Rāma and Sītā. He tries to console her. Enters the chamberlain (i. 8⁶) to announce the arrival of Aṣṭāvakra, a messenger from Ṛiṣyaśṛiṅga's hermitage, and exit. Enters Aṣṭāvakra with his message: A. that all is well with the Queen-mothers and the rest, and that they confidently expect (i. 9¹) for Sītā heroic¹ progeny; B. that all the women enjoin upon Rāma to satisfy promptly any longings of pregnancy (i. 10²) that Sītā may have; and C. that his family-preceptor, Vasiṣṭha, exhorts Rāma to do his utmost to keep his subjects pleased.² Exit Aṣṭāvakra, announcing the entrance of Lakṣmaṇa. Enters Lakṣmaṇa and proposes (i. 12⁵), as a diversion, a visit to the picture-gallery. Scene 2 (i. 14⁴—i. 33¹⁶). Ayodhyā: the palace-corridor with paintings on the walls depicting Rāma's earlier history. Rāma and Sītā inspect the paintings,³ Lakṣmaṇa serving as cicerone or guide and explaining them (i. 14⁴—i. 33²). The pictures of these familiar scenes arouse in Sītā a longing (i. 33⁶ f.) for an excursion to the Ganges. Rāma orders Lakṣmaṇa to bring forthwith an easy carriage for her (i. 33¹¹ f.). Exit Lakṣmaṇa (i. 33¹⁶). Scene 3 (i. 33¹⁷—i. 51¹⁵). Ayodhyā: a balcony near the palace-corridor. After the pictures Sītā feels fatigue. Rāma begs her to rest; she does so, her head pillowed on Rāma's arm, and falls asleep (i. 37³). Enters a female warder (i. 38¹) to announce Durmukha, an old and trusty spy, and exit. Enters Durmukha (i. 38⁸), who, with grief, whispers to Rāma (i. 39⁷) the scandalous rumour about Sītā. Rāma knows her innocence and yet, to please the people, resolves to abandon her (i. 40¹).

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¹ The Sanskrit word for 'heroic' means both 'valorous' and 'male'. ² This message has an important bearing on the action of the play. A. The confident expectation as to the sex of Sītā's offspring, and Rāma's further knowledge (cp. vi. 28) that it was to be twins, serve as im- portant links in the recognition and final identification of the two sons when Rāma encounters them in Act vi. B. gives Rāma the pretext under cover of which Sītā is led away (cp. i. 33⁷f., i. 43¹, i. 51⁹f.). C. Vasiṣṭha's reminder fortifies Rāma in his resolve (i. 41¹, i. 42).

³ This episode gives occasion for the tender love between Rāma and Sītā to show itself, and thus heightens by contrast the grief of their ensuing separation. Incidentally the sight of the picture of the magic missiles (jṛimbhakāstra) leads Rāma to assure Sītā that the actual missiles shall be at the service of her offspring (i. 15²). The picture of the Ganges calls forth from Rāma a prayer to the river for Sītā's welfare (i. 23¹). Both these inci- dents are important in the dénouement of the play.