CHAPTER FOUR

DESCRIPTION OF THE CLASS DANCE

Brahman writes the first play and gets this performed.

1. After having worshipped [the gods presiding over the stage] I said to Brahman, "Tell me quickly, O the mighty one, which play should be performed ?"

2. [In reply] I was told by the Lord, "Perform the Amṛta-manthana (the Churning of the Ocean)¹ which is capable of stimulating efforts and of giving pleasure to gods.

3. I have composed this Samavakāra¹ which is conducive to [the performance of] duties (dharma), to [the fulfillment of] desire (kāma) as well as [to the earning] wealth (artha)."

4. When this Samavakāra was performed, gods and demons were delighted to witness actions and ideas [familiar to them].

5. Now, in course of time Brahman (lit. the lotus-born one) said to me, "We shall present today the play before the great-souled Śiva (lit. the three-eyed one)".

6-7. Then on reaching along with other gods the abode of Śiva (lit. the bull-bannered one) Brahman paid him respects and said, "O the best of the gods, please do me the favour of hearing and seeing the Samavakāra which has been composed by me."

8. "I shall enjoy it," said the lord of gods in reply. Then Brahman asked me to get ready [for the performance].

9-10. "O, the best of the Brahmins, after the Preliminaries connected with the performance had been completed this

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1 (B.G. same)

2 B.G. same). ¹ The legend about the churning of the ocean occurs in the Mbh. (I. 17-19.) and the Viṣṇu P. (1) See Winternitz, Vol. I pp. 389, 546.

3 (B.G. same). ¹ See NŚ. XX. 69 ff.

4 (B.G. same). 5 (B.G. same). 6-7 (B.G. same).

8 (B.G. same). 9-10 (B.G. same).