नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

.XXXVI. 43 ] THE DESCENT OF DRAMA 557

33. In the community of the sages and Brahmins, or in meeting them you will appear as being no followers of the Vedas and will attain the conduct of the Śūdras.

34. You will become mere Śūdras, and attain their functions, and those to be born in your line will be Śūdras [too]¹.

35. Those actors (nartaka) who are already born in your line will be Śūdras, and so will be those together with their women, boys and young men, who associate with them'.

36. The gods on learning the origin of the curse on my sons became anxious and went to the sages.

Gods intercede in favour of Bharata's sons

37. Then the gods with Śakra (Indra) as their leader said that, afflicted with this misery the drama would perish¹.

38. The sages said in reply that the drama would not perish, but the remaining portion only of their curse will take effect in its entirety.

Bharata's sons approach their father

39-40. On hearing these words of the very spirited sages, my sons¹ became [very] sad and with a desire to defend themselves they approached me in anger and said, 'We have been ruined by you, for the fault of the drama we have been endowed with the character of Śūdras'.

Bharata pacifies them

41-42. For their consolation I said, 'Do not to be sorry for it; the rule that words of the sages will never prove untrue, has indeed been made by Fate (kṛtānta); so you should not turn to the destruction [of the art]. 'These are my words of consolation.

43. Know this dramatic art that has been described

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33 (C.35; K.34). 34 (C.36; K.35a). ¹ K. omits 34a.
35 (C.37; K.35b-36a). 36 (C.38; K.36b-37a).
37 (C.39; K.37b-38a). ¹ Read 37b as follows: इदानीं दुःखयुक्तेन नाट्यमेतद्विनङ्क्ष्यति.
38 (C. 40; K.38b-39a).
39-40 (C.41-42; K.39b-41a). ¹ Read sutāḥ, for surāḥ, C. and tataḥ, K.
41-42 (C.43-44; K.41b-42). 43 (C.45; K.43).