नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

522 | THE NATYASASTRA | [ XXVII. 71

Controversy about a performance

71. Controversy arises when the actors (bharata) have the desire of mutual contest at¹ the instance of their masters or for [winning] money and the Banner (patākā) [as rewards].

Procedure in deciding controversies

72. In course of deciding a controversy one should observe [the performance of the parties] without any partiality. The decision about [the award of] the Banner¹ should be according to the stipulation made (paṇaṃ kṛtvā)² [beforehand].

Recording of Blemishes

73. Blemishes affecting the Success should be recorded with the help of reckoners (gaṇaka) by these persons (i.e. Assessors) who are seated at ease, have clean intention, and whose intelligence is [generally] relied on [by the public]¹.

Ideal position of Assessors in a performance

74. Assessors¹ should neither be too near [the stage] nor too far [from it]. Their seats should be twelve cubits (six yards) apart from it.

75. They are to notice the points of the Success mentioned before, as well as the Blemishes¹ which may occur during the production of a drama.

Blemishes to be ignored

76. Blemishes which may be accidental (lit. caused by the

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71 (C.71). ¹ An example of this is the contest between the two nāṭyācāryas in the Mālavi.
² The Indian literary tradition records the fact of Bhāsa's winning Banners, possibly on the occasion of dramatic contests. See Harṣacarita, Introduction, 15.
72 (C.72). ¹ Read patākāsaṃvyavahāram (savyavahāraṃ, C.).
² This stipulation may have the following forms: the Success in producing any particular play, or any new play, or a new play with a particular dominating Sentiment will entitle one group of actors or its leader to the award of the Banner. K. omits this passage.
73 (C.73; K.62a). ¹ K. omits 73a.
74 (C.74; K.62b-63a). ¹ Emend prekṣakaiḥ into prāśnikaiḥ.
75 (C.76-77a; K.63b-64a). ¹ ghātāś ca, K. for yāḥ kāś ca, C.
76 (C.77b-78a; K.64b-65a),