नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

266 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 21-

revealed on account of your smile, outshines (lit. covers) the full moon.

Madhukarī

21. [The metre which has] the feet of nine syllables of which the last three are heavy [and the rest light] is called Madhukarī.¹

Example :

22. kusumitam abhipaśyantī
vividha-tarugaṇaiś channam ।
vanam atiśaya-gandhāḍhyaṃ
bhramati madhukarī hṛṣṭā ॥

Seeing the woodland covered with various trees full of flowers and rich in exuberence of [pleasent] odour, the female bee is flying about in delight.

Kuvalaya-mālā

23. [The metre which has] the feet of ten syllables of which the first and the last three are heavy [and the rest light] is called Kuvalaya-mālā¹.

Example :

24. asmiṃs te śirasi tadā kānte
vaidūraya-sphaṭika-suvarṇāḍhye ।
śobhāṃ svāṃ na vahati tāṃ
baddhā suśliṣṭā kuvalaya-mālêyam ॥

O dear one, this well-made garland of Kuvalaya¹ flowers fastened at that time on your head which has been richly decorated with lapis lazuli, quartz and gold, does not bear [any more] its naturalbeauty.

Mayūrasāriṇī

25. [The metre which has] the feet of ten syllables of

---

21 (C.18, B.XV.28, 29). ¹ Scheme ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, - - -). This metre is called Bhujagaśiśubhṛtā (ºyutā, vṛtā) by Piṅgala and his followers.
22 (C.19, B.XV.30).
23 (C.20, B.XV.31, 32). ¹ Scheme (- - -, ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, ᑌ - -, -). This is called Paṇava by Piṅgala and his followers.
. 24 (C.21, B.XV.33). ¹ Kuvalaya is a blue aquatic flower of the lotus class. 25 (C.22, B.XV.34, 35).

.XVI. 29 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 267

which the second, the fourth, the sixth and the eighth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Mayūrasāriṇī¹.

Example :

26. naiva te'sti saṃgamo mănuṣair
    nâsti kāmabhoga-cihṇaṃ anyat |
    garbhiṇîva dṛśyase hy anārye
    kiṃ mayūra-sāriṇī tvam evam ||

O ignoble one, you have no union with men, neither have you any sign of love's enjoyment. Still you look like one who is enceinte. You indeed behave like a pea-hen.¹

Dodhaka

27. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the first, the fourth, the seventh the tenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Dodhaka.¹

Example :

28. praskhalitâgrapada-pravicāraṃ
    matta-vighūrṇita-gātra-vilāsam |
    paśya vilāsini kuñjaram etaṃ
    dodhaka-vṛttam ayam prakaroti ||

O merry lady, look at this elephant which with its faltering steps of the front legs, and with the body playfully moved about [as if in] intoxication, is imitating the manner of a calf (?)¹

Moṭaka

29. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the first two, fifth, the eighth, and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Moṭaka.

---

¹ Scheme (– ◡ –, ◡ – ◡, – ◡ –, –). ¹ Piṅgala gives the name as Mayūrasā° and so does Vr. R.
26 (C.23, B.XV.36). ¹ This relates the belief that the pea-fowls' sexual union take place in complete seclusion.
27 (C.24, B.XV.37, 38). ¹ Scheme (– ◡ ◡, – ◡ ◡, – ◡ ◡, – –).
28 (C.25, B.XV.39). ¹ We are not sure of the meaning of the word dodhaka. Ag. writes dodhakeña gīyamānaṃ vṛttaṃ dodhaka-vṛttam.
29 (C.26, B.XV.40). ¹ Scheme. (– – ◡, ◡ – ◡, ◡ – ◡, ◡ –). This is named as Moṭanaka by Gaṅgādāsa in Ch. M.

268 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 30.

Example :

30. eso'mbuda-nisvana-tulya-ravaḥ kṣībaḥ skhalamāna-vilamba-gatiḥ । śrutvā ghana-garjitam adri-tate vṛkṣān prati moṭayati dviradaḥ ॥

This elephant hearing the clouds roaring in the mountain valley, is trumpeting in excitement as loudly as the [rain] clouds and is rushing with faltering steps to the trees.

Indra-vajrā

31. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the third, the sixth, the seventh and the ninth are light, [and the rest heavy] is called Indra-vajrā¹.

Example :

32. tvaṃ durṇirīkṣyā duratiprasādā duḥkhaika-sādhyā kaṭhinaika-bhāvā । sarvāsv avasthāsu ca kāma-tantre' yogyāsi kiṃ vā bahunêndravajrā ॥

You are hard to be looked at, difficult to be pleased and won over, and you have an unmixed ( lit, one ) hard feeling, in the practice of love, you are unfit (ayogya) at every stage ; and in short you are [like] the thunder-bolt of Indra.

Upendravajrā

33. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the first, the third, the sixth, the seventh, the ninth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Upendravajrā¹.

Example :

34. priye śriyā varṇa-viśeṣaṇena smitena kāntyā sukumār-bhāvāt । amī guṇā rūpa-guṇānurūpā bhavanti te kiṃ tvam upendravajrā ॥

---

30 (C.27, B.XV.41).
31 (C.28, B.XV.42). ¹ Scheme (-- u, -- u, u - u, --).
32 (C.29, B.XV.43).
33 (C.30, B.XV.44). ¹ Scheme (u - u, -- u, u - u, --).
34 (C.31, B.XV.45).

• XVI. 36 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 269

O beloved one, due to your beauty, the special colours [of your dress], smile, grace and delicate bearing, these qualities of yours have matched the qualities of the [beautiful] form. Are you the bow of Indra ?¹

Rathôddhatā

35. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the first, the third, the seventh, the ninth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Rathôddhatā¹.

Example :

36. kiṃ tvayā subhaṭa dūra-varjitaṃ
nātmana na suhṛidāṃ priyaṃ kṛtam ।
yat palāyana-parāyaṇasya te
yāti dhūlir adhunā rathôddhatā ॥

O good soldier, why have you left the battle-field completely. You have done neither any good to yourself nor to your friends, for while runing away [from the battle field] the dust [in your road] rises now [as if] scattered by chariot. ¹

Svāgatā

37. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the first, the third, the seventh and the tenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Svāgatā¹.

Example :

38. adya me saphalam āyata-netre
jīvitam madana-saṃśraya-bhāvam ।
āgatâsi bhavanaṃ mama yasmāt
svāgataṃ tava varôru niṣīda ॥

Today the two large eyes of mine have attained their object and so has my life and love, because you have come to my house ; O fair lady, you are welcome, please be seated.

---

¹ Upendra-vajrāmtu indra-dhanuṣā upamitam etc. (Ag.).
35 (C.32, B.XV.46). ¹ Scheme (- ◡ -, ◡ ◡ ◡, - ◡ -, ◡ -),
36 (C.33, B.XV.47). ¹ B. gives an additional example of this metre (B.XV.48).
37 (C.34, B.XV.49). ¹ Scheme (- ◡ -, ◡ ◡ ◡, - ◡ ◡, - -).

270 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 39-

Śālinī

39. [The metre with] the feet of eleven syllables of which the sixth and ninth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Śālinī.¹

Example :

40. duḥśīlam vā nirguṇaṃ pāpakaṃ vā
loke dhairyād apriyaṃ na bravīṣi ।
āryaṃ śīlaṃ sādhvī he te'nuvṛttaṃ
mādhuryāḍhyā sarvathā śālinī tvam ॥

On account of your patience with the people you do not, utter a harsh word to any one who has bad manners or is without any merit or is wicked. O good lady, you have followed a noble manner, you are a housewife full of sweetness in every respect.

Toṭaka

41. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the third, the sixth, the ninth and the last, are heavy [and the rest light] is called Toṭaka.¹

42. kim idam kapaṭāśraya-durviṣahaṃ
bahu-śāṭhyaṃ athôlbana-rūkṣa-katham ।
svajana-priya-sajjana-bhedakaraṃ
nanu toṭaka-vṛttam idaṃ kuruṣe ॥

Why is this crooked and insufferable conduct full of villainy, and unambiguous (lit. direct) and harsh words hurting the relations, dear ones and [other] good people ? You are indeed behaving like a cutter.

Kumudanibhā

43. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which

---

38 (C.35, B.XV.50).
39 (C.36, B.XV.51). ¹ Scheme (– – –, – – ∪, – – ∪, – –).
40 (C.37, B.XV.52).
41 (C.38, B.XV.53, 54). ¹ Scheme (∪ ∪ –, ∪ ∪ –, ∪ ∪ –, ∪ ∪ –).
42 (C.39, B.XV.55).
43 (C.40, B.XV.59),

-XVI. 47 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 271

the first four, the eighth and the tenth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Kumudanibhā¹.

Example :

44. kumudanibhā tvaṁ kāma-bāṇa-viddhā
kim asi-natabhruḥ śīta-vāta-dagdhā ।
mṛdu-nalinīvâpāṇḍu-vaktra-śobhā
katham api jātā agrataḥ sakhīnām ॥

O fair-eyed damsel, being like a Kumuda flower why have you been struck with cupid's arrow and why do you appear pale before your friends like a delicate Nalinī blasted by the cold wind.

Candra-lekhā

45. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the first five, the seventh and the tenth as are light [and the rest heavy] and the caesura falls after the first five syllables, is called Candra-lekhā¹.

Example :

46. vaktraṁ saumyaṁ te padma-patrâyatâkṣaṁ
kāmasyâvāsaṁ svabhruvoś câvabhāsam ।
kāmasyâpīdaṁ kāmam āhartukāmam
kāntyā tvaṁ kānte candra-lekhêva bhāsi ॥

O beloved one, your sweet face with eyes as large as lotus-petals and the splendour of your eyebrows, are the abode of love, and they are ready to bring love even to the god of love ; you shine as it were like a phase of the moon.

Pramitâkṣarā

47. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which

---

¹ Scheme ( ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ – –, – ⏑ –, ⏑ ⏑ ). B. gives another metre of this name with a different scheme (– ⏑ –, ⏑ – –, ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ – –) and an example of this (B.XV.56-58).
44 (C.41, B.XV.60).
45 (C.42, B.XV.61). ¹ Scheme (– – –, – – –, ⏑ – –, ⏑ – –).
46 (C.43, B.XV.62). 47 (C.44, B.XV.63).

272 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 48.

the third, the fifth, the ninth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Pramitâkṣarā¹.

Example :

48. smita-bhāṣiṇī hy acapalâparuṣī
nibhṛtâpavāda-vimukhī satatam ।
yadi kasya cid yuvatir asti sukhā
pramitâkṣarā sa hi pumāñ jayati ॥

If any one has a pleasing young wife with restrained speech, who is always smiling and averse to speaking ill of him [even] secretly, and is never fickle or harsh, that person verily thrives.

Vaṁśasthā

49. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the second, the fourth, the fifth, the eighth, the tenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Vaṁśasthā.¹

Example :

50. na me priyā yad bhumāna-varjitā
kṛtâpriyā te paruṣâbhibhāṣaṇaiḥ ।
tathā ca paśyāmy aham adya vigrahaṁ
dhruvaṁ hi vaṁśastha-gatiḥ kariṣyati ॥

You are not dear to me, for you are wanting in esteem [for me] and your harsh words [also] have made you displeasing [to me]. So I see that the natural habit will surely bring a quarrel today.

Hariṇa-plutā

51. [The metre with] feet of twelve syllables of which the fourth, the seventh, the tenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Hariṇa-plutā¹.

---

¹ Scheme (∪ ∪ -, ∪ - ∪, ∪ ∪ -, ∪ ∪ -).
48 (C.45, B.XV.64).
49 (C.46, B.XV.65, 66). ¹ Scheme (∪ - ∪, - - ∪, ∪ - ∪, - ∪ -).
50 (C.47, B.XV.67).
51 (C.48, B.XV.68). ¹ Scheme (∪ ∪ ∪, - ∪ ∪, - ∪ ∪, - ∪ -).
This is called Druta-vilambita by Piṅgala and his followers.

-XVI. 55 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 273

Example :

52. paruṣa-vākya-kaśābhihatā tvayā
    bhaya-vilokana-pārśva-nirīkṣaṇā ।
    varatanuḥ pratata-pluta-sarpaṇair
    anukaroti gatair hariṇa-plutam ॥

'The fair lady (lit. fair-limbed one)¹, smitten by the whip of your harsh words, and looking in fear to her sides and runing away continously with quick steps is imitating by her movements a deer's gallop.

Kāmadattā

53. [A metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the seventh, the ninth, the eleventh and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Kāmadattā¹.

Example :

54. karaja-pada-vibhūṣita yathā tvaṃ
    sudati daśana-vikṣatādharā ca ।
    gatir api caraṇâvalagna-mandā
    tvam asi mṛga-samâkṣi kāmadattā ॥

O fair lady¹, you have been adorned with the marks of nails, your lips have been bitten by teeth and your gait also is faltering and slow. It seems, O deer-eyed one, that you have given [yourself up] to [the enjoyment of] love.

Aprameyā

55. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the first, the fourth, the seventh and tenth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Aprameyā¹.

---

52 (C.49, B.XV.69). See above 20 note 1.
53 (C.50, B.XV.70). ¹ Scheme (⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, – ⏑ –, ⏑ – –). C. calls this Kāma-mattā.
54 (C.51, B.XV.71). Sudati—O fair-toothed one.
55 (C.52, B.XV.72). ¹ Scheme (⏑ – –, ⏑ – –, ⏑ – –, ⏑ – –). This is called Bhujaṅga-prayāta by Piṅgala and his followers.

35

274	THE NATYASASTRA	[ XVI. 56-

Example :

56. na te kā cid anyā samā dṛśyate strī
    nṛ-loke viśiṣṭā guṇair advitīyaiḥ ।
    trilokyāṁ guṇāgryān samāhṛtya sarvān
    jagaty aprameyāsi sṛṣṭā vidhātrā ॥

Nowhere amongst the mortals (lit. in this world) is to be seen a woman who is your equal, and is distinguished by singular accomplishments. The creator has made you matchless by putting together [in you] all the best virtues of the three worlds.

Padminī

57. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the second, the fifth, the eighth and the eleventh are light [and the rest heavy] is called Padminī¹.

Example :

deha-toyāśayā vaktra-padmôjjvalā
netra-bhṛṅgâkulā danta-haṁsaiḥ smitā ।
keśa-patrac-chadā cakravāka-stanī
padminīva priye bhāsi me sarvadā ॥

58. O dear lady, you always appear to me like a lotus-lake, for your body is a pool of water which shines by the lotus-face, and your eyes are the restless bees [there] and you smile with the swan-like teeth and your hairs are [the lotus] leaves, and the breasts are like the Cakra-vākas¹ [swimming there].

Paṭuvṛtta

59. [The metre with] the feet twelve syllables of which the first six and the tenth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Paṭuvṛtta¹.

---

56 (C.53, B.XV.73).
57 (C.54, B.XV.74, 75). ¹ Scheme (- ῠ -, - ῠ -, - ῠ -, - ῠ -). This is called Sragviṇī by Piṅgala and his followers.
58 (C.55, BXV.76). ¹ B. gives a second example (B.XV.77) which seems to be a variant of this.
59 (C.56, B.XV 78, 79). ¹ Scheme. (ῠ ῠ ῠ, ῠ ῠ ῠ, - - -, ῠ - -). This is called Puṭa by Piṅgala and his followers.

-XVI. 68 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 275

Example :

60. upavana-salilānāṃ bāla-padmair bhramara-parabhṛtānāṃ kaṇṭha-nādaiḥ । samada-gati-vilāsaiḥ kāminīnāṃ kathayati paṭuvṛttaṃ madhu-māsaḥ ॥

The month of Caitra (lit. honey-month) with lotus-buds in the garden-lakes, songs of bees and cuckoos and the playful movements of intoxicated women, is anouncing its smart manners¹.

Prabhāvatī

61. [The metre with] the feet of twelve syllables of which the second, the fourth and the ninth the eleventh and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Prabhāvatī.¹

Example :

62. kathaṃ nv idaṃ kamala-viśāla-locane gṛhaṃ ghanaiḥ pihita-kare niśākare । acintayanty abhinava-varṣa-vidyutas tvam āgatā sutanu yathā prabhāvatī ॥

O fair one, with eyes as large as a lotus, how have you come like a radiant being to this house [of mine] when the rays of the moon have been covered by clouds and you have not cared for the impending (lit. new) rains and the lightning ?

Praharṣiṇī

63. [The metre with the] feet of thirteen syllables of which the first three, the eighth, the tenth and the twelfth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Praharṣiṇī¹.

---

60 (C.57, B.XV.80). ¹ I am not certain about the exact meaning of the term puṭavṛtta. One ms. gives it as paṭuvṛtta (see B.) which I adopt.

61 (C.58, B.XV.81). ¹ Scheme (∪ - ∪, - ∪ ∪, ∪ ∪ -, ∪, - -).

62 (C.59, B-XV.82).

63 (C.60, B.XV.83). ¹ Scheme (- - -, ∪ ∪ ∪, ∪ - ∪, - ∪ -, -).

276 THE NATYASASTRA [XVI. 64-

Example :

64. bhāvasthair madhura-kathaiḥ subhāṣitais tvaṃ sāṭopa-skhalita-vilambita-gataiś ca । śobhāḍhyair harasi manāṃsi kāmukānāṃ suvyaktam hy atijagatī praharṣiṇī ca ॥

[O fair one], by your loving and sweet words, witty sayings, beautiful, majestic, faltering and slow steps, you captivate the mind of lovers. It is apparent that you are enrapturing beyond [anything else in] this world.

Matta-mayūra

65. [The metre with] the feet of thirteen syllables of which the sixth, the seventh, the tenth and the eleventh are light [and the rest heavy] is called Matta-mayūra¹.

Example :

66. vidyun-naddha sêndra-dhanur-dyotita-dehā vātôddhūtāḥ śveta-balākā-kṛta-śobhāḥ । ete meghā garjita-nādôjjvala-cihnāḥ prāvṛt-kālaṃ matta-mayūraṃ kathayati ॥

These clouds [characterised] by a thundering noise and brilliant signs containing lightning and rainbow, moved about by the wind, and adorned with white cranes speaks of the [arrival of the] rainy season which maddens the peacocks.

Vasanta-tilakā

67. [The metre with] the feet of fourteen syllables of which the first two, the fourth, the eighth and the eleventh and the thirteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Vasanta-tilakā¹.

---

64 (C.61, B.XV.84).

65 (C.62, B.XV.85). ¹ Scheme (-- -, -- u, u --, uu-, -).

66 (C.63, B.XV.86).

67 (C.64, B.XV.87). ¹ Scheme, (-- u, - uu, u-u, u-u, --).

-XVI. 71 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 277

Example :

68. citrair vasanta-kusumaiḥ kṛta-keśa-hastā
    srag-dāma-mālya-racanā-suvibhūṣitāṅgī ।
    nānāvataṁsaka-vibhūṣita-karṇapāśā
    sākṣād vasanta-tilakêva vibhāti nārī ॥

This well-dressed woman who has adorned her braid of hairs with the many-coloured vernal flowers, and the rest of her body with various types of flower-garlands¹ and her ears with various ornaments, looks indeed like the decoration (tilaka) on the forehead [of the goddess] of spring.

Asaṁbādhā

69. [The metre with the] feet of thirteen syllable, of which the first five and the last three are heavy, [and the rest light] is called Asaṁbādhā.¹

Example :

70. mānī lokajñaḥ śruta-bala-kula-śīlâḍhyo
    yasmin sammānaṁ na sadṛśaṁ anupaśyed dhī ।
    gaccet taṁ tyaktvā druta-gatir aparaṁ deśaṁ
    kīrṇa nānârthair avanir iyam asaṁbādhā ॥

A proud person who knows the world and is learned, strong, of high birth and character, must leave [a country] in which he does not find adequate honour, and quickly goes to a different country ; for this world is scattered over with wealth of many kinds and offers no obstruction [to such a person].

Śarabhā

71. [The metre with the] feet of fourteen syllables of which the first four, the tenth, the eleventh the thirteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Śarabhā¹.

---

68 (C.65, B.XV.88). ¹ Srak and mālya are used here probably to indicate two different kinds of garlands.
69 (C.66, B.XV.89). ¹ Scheme (-- -, -- ⏑, ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ ⏑́-, --).
70 (C.67, B.XV.90).
71 (C.68, B.XV.91). ¹ Scheme (-- -, - ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, -- ⏑́, - -).

278 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 72-

Example

72. eṣā kāntā vrajati lalitaṃ vepamānā
    gulmac-channaṃ vanam uru-nagaiḥ saṃpraviddham ।
    hā hā kaṣṭaṃ kim idam iti no vedmi mūḍho
    vyaktaṃ krodhāc-charabha-lalitaṃ kartu-kāmā ॥

This beloved lady goes trembling in a graceful manner to the forest covered with shrubs and interspersed with high hills. Ah, what a pity, the fool that I am, I could not understand that due to anger she is openly playing the graceful role of an young elephant.

Nāndimukhī

73. [The metre with] the feet of fifteen syllables of which the first six, the tenth, and the thirteenth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Nāndimukhī.¹

Example :

74. na khalu tava kadācit krodha-tāmrāyatākṣaṃ
    bhrukuṭī-valita-bhaṅgaṃ dṛṣṭa-pūrvaṃ mayāsyam ।
    kim iha bahubhir uktair yā mamaiṣā hṛdisthā
    tvam asi madhura-vākyā devi nāndīmukhīva ॥

Never before have I seen your face with eyes red in anger and with eyebrows curved in frowning ; O lady, what more shall I say ? Are you the [same] sweet-tongued one who resides in my heart and is like Nāndimukhī ?

Gaja-vilasita

75. [The metre with] the feet of sixteen syllables of which the first, the fourth, the sixth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Gaja-vilasita.

---

72 (C.69, B.XV.92).
73 (C.70, B.XV.93). ¹ Scheme (UUU, UUU, --, U--, U--). This is called Mālinī by Piṅgala and his followers.
74 (C.71, B.XV.94).
75 (C.72, B.XV.95, 96). ¹ Scheme (-UU, -U-, UUU, UUU, UUU, -). This is called Ṛṣabha-gaja-vilasita by Piṅgala and his followers.

.XVI. 79 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 279

Example :

76. toyâdharaiḥ sudhīra-ghana-paṭu-paṭaha-ravaiḥ
    sarja-kadamba-nīpa-kuṭaja-kusuma-surabhim ।
    kandala-sêndragopaka-racitam avanitalam
    vīkṣya karoty asau vṛṣabha-gaja-vilasitakam ॥

On seeing the surface of the earth adorned with the Kandala and the Indragopa, and perfumed with the flowers of Sāl, Kadamba¹, Nīpa², and Kuṭaja, which open at the loud and clear drum-like peals of thunder (lit. sounds of the clouds) this [man] imitates the sportful movement of a bull-elephant.

Pravara-lalita

77. [The metre with the] feet of sixteen syllables of which of the second, third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, the twelfth the thirteenth, the fifteeth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Pravara-lalita.¹

Example :

78. nakhālīḍhaṁ gātraṁ daśana-khacitaṁ côṣṭha gaṇḍaṁ
    śiraḥ puṣpônmiśraṁ pravilulita-keśâlakântam ।
    gatiḥ khinnā cêyaṁ vadanam api sambhrānta-netram
    aho ślāghyaṁ vṛttaṁ pravara-lalitaṁ kāma-ceṣṭam ॥

Her body has been scratched by nails, and lips and the cheeks are bitten by teeth, the head is set with flowers, hairs have their ends dishevelled, and her gait is languid, and the eyes are restless. Ah, a very graceful exploit of love, has taken place in a praisworthy manner.

Śikhariṇī

79. [The metre with] the feet of seventeen syllables of which the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and sixth, the twelfth,

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76 (C.73, B.XV.97). ¹ Kadamba and nīpa are usually considered synonymous. It is just possible that there are two different trees with these two names and later writers have ignored the difference which may be very slight. It may be noted here that the Concise Oxford Diction-ary defines nīpa as a 'kind of E. Indian palm'.
² See note 1 above.
77 (C.74, B.XV.98, 99).¹ Scheme (⏑ - -, - - -, ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ ⏑ -, - ⏑ -, - ).
78 (C.75, B.XV.100).
79 (C.76, B.XV.101, 102).

280 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 80.

the thirteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Śikhariṇī.¹

Example :

80. mahānadyābhoge pulinam iva te bhāti jaghanaṃ
    tathāsyaṃ netrābhyāṃ bhramara-sahitaṃ paṅkajam iva ।
    tanu-sparśaś cāyam sutanu sukumāro na paruṣaḥ
    stanābhyāṃ tuṅgābhyāṃ śikhari-nibhā bhāsi dayite ॥

Your hip is like the sand-bank at the margin of a river, your face together with the eyes, is like a lotus with the bees, the touch of your body is soft and not rough ; with your two elevated breasts you look like a hill with [two] peaks, O dear one.

Vṛṣabha-ceṣṭita

81. [The metre with the] feet of seventeen syllables of which the first five, the eleventh, the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the sixteenth are light [and the rest heavy] is called Vṛṣabha-ceṣṭita.¹

Example :

82. jalada-ninādaṃ śrutvā garjan madoccaya-darpitaḥ
    vilikhati mahīṃ śṛṅgākṣepair vṛṣaḥ pratinardya ca ।
    sva-yuvati-vṛto goṣṭhād goṣṭhaṃ prayāti ca nirbhayo
    vṛṣabha-lalitaṃ citraṃ vṛttaṃ karoti ca śādvale ॥

On hearing the thundering noise of the clouds the bull maddened with an excess of rut, is striking the earth with its horns and is bellowing in reply. And then, surrounded by young females of its class it goes fearlessly from one cow-pen to another and has the various sportive exploits on the green [pasture].

Śrīdharā

83. [The metre with] the feet of seventeen syllables of which the first four, the tenth, the eleventh, the thirteenth,

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¹ Scheme (⏑ - -, - - -, ⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ ⏑ -, - ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ -).
80 (C.77, B.XV.103).
81 (C.78, B.XV.104, 105). ¹ Scheme (⏑ ⏑ ⏑, ⏑ ⏑ -, - - -, - ⏑ -, ⏑ ⏑ -, ⏑ -). This is called Hariṇī by Piṅgala and his followers.
* 82 (C.79, B.XV.106).
83 (C.80, B.XV.107-108, 109).

.XVI, 87] METRICAL PATTERNS 281

the fourteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called **Śrīdharā.**¹

Example :

snānaiś cūrṇaiḥ sukha-surabhibhir gaṇḍa-lepaiś ca dhūpaiḥ
puṣpaiś cānyaiḥ śirasi-racitair vastra-yogaiś ca tais taiḥ ।
nānā-ratnaiḥ kanaka-racitair aṅga-sambhoga-saṁsthair
vyaktaṁ kānte kamala-nilayā śrīdharêvâti bhāsi ॥

O beloved one, by your bathing, powders, pleasently fragrant paste smeared on your cheek, the [hair-perfuming] incense, flowers set on the hair (lit. head), various clothes and many jewels combined with gold worn on the limbs, you shine indeed very much like the lotus-dwelling [one] who is the goddess of beauty.

Vaṁśa-patra-patita

85. [The metre with] the feet of seventeen syllables of which the first, the fourth, the tenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called the **Vaṁśa-patra-patita.**¹

Example :

eṣa gajo'dri-mastaka-taṭe kalabha-parivṛtaḥ
krīḍati vṛkṣa-gulma-gahane kusuma-bhara-nate ।
megha-ravaṁ niśamya muditaḥ pavana-java-samaḥ
sundari vaṁśa-patra-patitaṁ punar api kurute ॥

O fair lady, this elephant which surrounded by young ones is playing near the peak of the hill in the thick forest of trees and shrubs bent with flowers, is delighted to hear, the roaring of clouds and is moreover causing, like the wind, the bamboo leaves to fall [on the ground].

Vilambita-gati

87. [The metre with the] feet of seventeen syllables of which the second, the sixth, the eighth, the twelfth, the fourteenth,

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¹ Scheme (– – –, – ῠ ῠ, ῠ ῠ ῠ, – – ῠ, – – ῠ, – –). This is called Mandākrāntā by Piṅgala and his followers.
84 (C.81, B.XV.110).
85 (C.82, B.XV.111). ¹ Scheme (– ῠ ῠ, – ῠ –, ῠ ῠ ῠ, – ῠ ῠ, ῠ ῠ ῠ, ῠ –). 86 (C.83, B.XV.112). 87 (C.84, B.XV.113-114, 115),
36

282 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVI. 88-

the fifteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Vilambitagati.¹

Example :

88. vighūrṇita-vilocanā pṛthu-vikīrṇa-hārā punaḥ
    pralamba-raśanā calat-skhalita-pada-manda-kramā ।
    na me priyam idaṁ janasya bahumāna-rāgeṇa yan
    madena vivaśā vilambita-gatiḥ kṛtā tvaṁ priye ॥

O beloved one, your eyes are rolling, the large necklace is displaced, the girdle is hanging loose, and your slow steps are faltering ; I indeed like¹ this your slow gait that you assume out of overwhelming pride due to this man's love and respect [for you].

Citra-lekhā

89. [The metre with the] feet of eighteen syllables of which the first five, the eleventh, the twelfth, the fourteenth, the fifteenth, the seventeenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Citra-lekhā¹.

Example :

90. nānā-ratnâḍhyair bahubhir adhikaṁ bhūṣaṇair aṅga-saṁsthaḥ
    nānā-gandhâḍhyair madana-jananair aṅga-rāgaiś ca hṛdyaiḥ ।
    keśaiḥ snānârdraiḥ kusuma-racitair vastra-rāgaiś ca tais taiḥ
    kānte saṁkṣepāt kim iha bahunā citra-lekhêva bhāsi ॥

O beloved one, you shine very much with the many bejewelled ornaments worn in your limbs, various pleasant cosmetics rich in passion-inspiring scents, hairs clean after bath and decorated with flowers, and varied colours of your clothes. What shall I say more? To be brief, you appear like a painted picture.

---

¹ Scheme (◡ - ◡, ◡ ◡ -, ◡ - ◡, ◡ ◡ -, ◡ - ◡, ◡ -). This is called Pṛthvī by Piṅgala and his followers.
88 (C.85, B.XV.116). ¹ lit. Is it not dear to me?
89 (C.16, B.XV.117). ¹ Scheme (- - -, - - ◡, ◡ ◡ ◡, ◡ - -, ◡ - -, ◡ - -). This is called Kusumita-latā-vellitā by Piṅgala and his followers.
90 (C.87, B.XV.118).

-XVI. 96 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 283

Śārdūla-vikrīḍita

91-92. [The metre with] the feet of nineteen syllables of which the first three, the sixth, the eighth, the twelfth, the thirteenth, the fourteenth, the sixteenth, the seventeenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Śārdūlavikrīḍita¹

Example :

nānā-śastra-śataghni-tomara-hatāḥ prabhraṣṭa-sarvâyudhāḥ
nirbhinnôdara-pada-bāhu-vadanā nirbhartsitāḥ śatravaḥ ।
dhairyôtsāha-parākrama-prabhṛtibhis tais tair vicitra-guṇaiḥ
vṛttaṁ te ripu-ghāti bhāti samare śārdūla-vikrīḍitam ॥

The enemies have been repelled after [some of them have been] killed with various weapons, Śataghni and Tomara and [some have] their bellies, arms, feet and face pierced and [some have] lost all their weapons. Your enemy-killing exploits in battle comparable to the tiger's sports and characterised by virtues such as, patience, energy and valour, are splendid.¹

Suvadanā

94-95. [The metre with the] feet of twenty syllables of which the first four, the sixth, the seventh, the fourteenth, the fifteenth, the sixteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Suvadanā.¹

Example :

netre līlâlasânte kamala-dala-nibhe bhrū-cāpa-rucire
gaṇḍôṣṭhaṁ pīna-madhyaṁ sama-sahita-ghanaḥ snigdhāś ca daśanāḥ ।
karṇāv aṁsa-pralambau cibukam api nataṁ ghoṇā surucirā
vyaktaṁ tvaṁ martya-loke varatanu vihitāsyêkā suvadanā ॥

---

91-92 (C.88-89. B.XV.119, 120, 121 . ¹ Scheme (---, ᴗ ᴗ -, ᴗ - ᴗ, ᴗ ᴗ -, - - ᴗ, - - ᴗ, -).
93 (C.90, BXV.122). ¹ B. gives an additional example of this (B.XV.123).
94-95 (C.91-92, B.XV.124-125, 126). ¹ Scheme (---, - ᴗ -, ᴗ ᴗ ᴗ, ᴗ ᴗ ᴗ, ᴗ - -, - ᴗ ᴗ, ᴗ -).
96 (C.93, B.XV.127).

284 THE NĀṬYAŚĀSTRA [ XVI. 97-

Your eyes are like lotus-patals, beautiful with the bow-like eyebrows and their ends are playfully lazy ; the cheeks and lips are plump in their middle, the teeth are all equal, in a line, thickly set and shining, the ears are hanging down as far as the shoulders, the chin is bent and the nose is beautiful, O fair lady, in this mortal world you are indeed the only fair-faced woman whose face has been [carefully] fashioned.

Sragdharā

97-98. [The metre with] the feet of twentyone syllables of which the first four, the sixth, the seventh, the fourteenth, the fifteenth, the seventeenth, the eighteenth, the twentieth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Sragdharā.¹

Example :

cutāśokāravindaiḥ kuruvaka-tilakaiḥ karṇikāraiḥ śirīṣaiḥ
punnāgaiḥ pārijātair vakula-kuvalayaiḥ kiṁśukaiḥ sātimuktaiḥ ।
etair nānā-prakāraiḥ kusuma-surabhibhir viprakīrṇaiś ca tais tair
vāsantaiḥ puṣpa-vṛndair naravara vasudhā sragdharêvâdya bhāti ॥

O king (lit. best among men), due to the many and various sweet smelling vernal flowers such as, Cūta, Aśoka, Aravinda, Kuravaka, Tilaka, Karṇikāra, Śirīṣa, Punnāga, Pārijāta, Vakula, Kuvalaya, Kiṁśuka and Atimukta, this earth looks today like a woman wearing [many] garlands of flowers.

Madraka

100-101. [The metre with] the feet of twentytwo syllables of which the first, the fourth, the sixth, the tenth, the twelfth, the sixteenth, the eighteenth, and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Madraka¹.

---

97-98 (C.94-95, B.XV.128-129, 130). ¹ Scheme (---, - ᑌ -, - ᑌ ᑌ, ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, ᑌ -, -, ᑌ - - ᑌ - -). 99 (C.96, B.XV.131).
100-101 (C.97-98, B.XV.132-133, 134). ¹ Scheme (- ᑌ ᑌ, - ᑌ -, ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, - ᑌ -, ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, - ᑌ -, ᑌ ᑌ ᑌ, -).

-XVI. 105 ] METRICAL PATTERNS 285

Example :

udyatam eka-hasta-caraṇaṁ dvitīya-kara-recitaṁ suvinataṁ
vaṁśa-mṛdaṅga-vādya- madhuraṁ vicitra-karaṇânvitaṁ bahu-vidham ।
madrakam etad adya subhagair vidagdha-gati-ceṣṭitaiḥ su-lalitair
nṛtyasi vibhramâkula-padaṁ vivikta-rasa-bhāvitaṁ śaśi-mukhi ॥

O fair lady (lit. moon-faced one), you are dancing to-day in accompaniment of sweet sounds of flutes and drums the Madraka¹ dance with one of your hands raised up and another bent, and your feet are restless in a hurry. And you are making happy, clever and graceful movements in pursuance of many and various Karaṇas, and this dance is imbued with a distinct Sentiment (rasa).

Aśvalalita

103-104. [The metre with] the feet of twentythree syllables of which the fifth, the seventh, the eleventh, the thirteenth, the seventeenth, the nineteenth and the last are heavy [and the rest light] is called Aśvalalita.¹

Example :

vividha-turaṅga-nāga-ratha-yaudha-
saṁkulaṁ alaṁ balaṁ samuditaṁ
śara-śata-śakti-kunta-parighâsi-
yaṣṭi-vitatam bahu-praharaṇam ।
ripu-śata-mukta-śastra-rava-bhīta-
śaṁkita-bhaṭaṁ bhayâkulam idaṁ
kṛtam abhivīkṣya saṁyuga-mukhe
samîpsita-guṇaṁ tvayâśvalalitam ॥

[Even after] seeing this completely assembled army consisting of many horses, elephants, chariots and fighters, the manifold assaults spread by hundreds of arrows, darts, javelins, clubs and swords, and the foot-soldiers terrified and afraid on account of the

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102 (C.99, B.XV.135). ¹ See NŚ. IV.
103-104 (C.100-101, B.XV.136-137, 138). ¹ Scheme (UUU, U - U, - UU, U - U, - UU, U - U, - UU, U -).
105 (C.102, B.XV.139).