CHAPTER TWENTYTW0

THE STYLES

The origin of the Styles

1. I shall now explain in detail (lit. from the beginning) the rise of the Styles (vṛtti) and [in relation to them] the origin and the formation of dramas¹.

2-3. When the lord Acyuta (Viṣṇu) after reducing the universe into a single [vast] ocean and compressing the creation [into a seed] by his supernatural power, was lying on the couch of snake, the two Asuras Madhu and Kaiṭabha maddened with the pride of their strength challenged the god at once for battle¹.

4-5. These two, after making gestures of challenge, (lit. rubbing their arms) fought the imperishable lord Viṣṇu (bhūtabhāvana, lit. the creator of beings) with their fists and legs (lit. knees), and while doing so they also assailed him (lit. one another) with harsh words and shook as it were the ocean with their reviling speech¹.

The origin of the Verbal Style

6-7. Hearing the various [abusive] words of these two who were threatening¹ [Viṣṇu], Druhiṇa (Brahman) was slightly perturbed in mind and said, "Is it the bhāratī vṛtti that start with these words [for the fighters] and goes on increasing stage by stage ? Kill the two [at once]."

8-10. Hearing these words of Pitāmaha (Brahman), Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu) said, "Yes, I have made this bhāratī vṛtti

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1 (C.1; K.XX.1). ¹ Sāgaranandin explains the vṛtti as follows : नेपथ्ये गीतवादित्तरसभावाभिनयवृत्त्यादीनां काऽपि विश्रषे वर्तनमिति वृत्तिः कथितः। अथवा विलास-विन्यासक्रमो वृत्तिरिति, NL. 1044ff.

2-3. (C.2-3; K.XX.2-3). ¹ The story of Nārāyaṇa's reducing the three worlds into 'a single ocean' occurs in the Rām. VII. 72.; Kūrma P. XIII. See JK. under Viṣṇu (8) and Nārāyaṇa (8).

4-5 (C.4-5; K.XX.4-5). ¹ Madhu and Kaiṭabha charged Nārāyaṇa with the theft of the Vedas. Rām. VII. 72. See JK. under Kaiṭabha.

6-7 (C.6-7; K.XX.6-7). ¹ Emend garjatoḥ into tarjatoḥ (tarjatām, K).

8-10 (C.8-10; K.XX.8-10).

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