नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)
Natyashastra of Bharata Muni with Hindi Commentary (Vol 1)
भरत मुनि / आचार्य अभिनवगुप्त द्वारा
-XIX. 22 ] MODES OF ADDRESS AND INTONATION 341
Women addressing their husband
19. By all women in their youth the husband should be addressed as “noble one's son” (ārya-putra)$^1$, but in other cases, the husband is to be addressed simply as “noble one” (ārya)$^2$, and in case of his being a king he may be addressed as “great king” (mahārāja)$^3$ also.
Addressing the elder and the younger brothers
20. The elder brother should be addressed as “noble one” (ārya)$^1$ and the younger brother like one's son$^2$.
These are the modes of address to be used to male characters in a play.
Modes of addressing women
21. I shall now speak of the modes of address to be used to female characters in a play.
Addressing female ascetics and goddesses
Female ascetics and goddesses are to be addressed as “holy lady” (bhagavatī)$^1$.
Addressing wives of senior persons, and elderly ladies
22. Wives of respectable seniors, and other elderly ladies (sthānīyā) are to be addressed as “lady” (bhavatī)$^1$.
19 (C.19; B.XVII.83). $^1$ Examples are easily procurable; see Śak, Mālavi, Svapna etc.
$^2$ Ex. Naṭī in the prologue (prastāvanā) addressing the sūtradhāra her husband (Cāru. and Mudrā).
$^3$ Ex. Gāndhārī addressing Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Ūru. I. 38.2). Urvaśī refers to the king likewise (Vikram. IV. 39.2).
20 (C.20; B.XVII. 84a 85a). $^1$ Ex. Lakṣmaṇa addressing Rāma (Pratimā. I. 21.2). Sahadeva addressing Bhīma (Veṇī. I.19.12).
$^2$ Usual from in such a case is vatsa; but the younger brother is also sometimes differently addressed, e.g. by name of the mother as Saumitre, (Pratimā. I. 21.1), Kaikeyīmātaḥ, (ibid. IV. 2.21). See above 14 and 4.
21 (C.21; B.XVII.85a-86a). $^1$ The king addressing the privrājikā (Mālavi. I. 14.2) ; the Kañcukin addressing the female ascetic (tāpasī) in Vikram. (V. 9.2).
- (C. 22; B. XVII 86b-87a). $^1$ Ex. Sumantra addressing the widowed wives of Daśaratha as bhavatyaḥ (Pratimā. III. 12.2 ). The Kañcukin addressing the Pratīhārī in Svapna. (VI. 0.6).
342 THE NATYASASTRA [ XIX. 23-
Addressing an accessible women and an old lady
An accessible woman (gamyā)$^2$ is to be addressed as "gentle-woman" (bhadre)$^3$ and an old lady as "mother" (amba)$^4$.
Addressing king's wives
23. In a play king's wives are to be addressed by their servants and attendants as "mistress" (bhaṭṭinī), "madam" (svāminī)$^1$ and "lady" (devī)$^2$.
24. [Of these], the term "lady" (devī)$^1$ should be applied to the chief queen (mahiṣī) by her servants as well as by the king. The remaining [wives of the king] are to be addressed [simply] as "mistress" (bhaṭṭinī) and "madam" (svāminī)$^3$.
Addressing unmarried princesses
25. Unmarried princesses are to be addressed by their handmaids as "young mistress" (bhartṛ-dārikā)$^1$.
$^2$ gamyā— not within the prohibited degree of sexual relationship.
$^3$ Ex. Avimaraka addressing Kuraṅgikā (Avi. III. 19.0). Duṣyanta addressing Priyaṃvadā (Śak. I. 22.6). But the king addresses Citralekhā as bhadramukhī (Vikram. II. 15.9) as well as bhadre (ibid. III. 15.0).
$^4$ Ex. The king, Urvaśī and their son addressing the female ascetic. (Vikram. V. 12.3,5,18).
23 (C. 23; B. XVII. 87b-88a). $^1$ Ex. (i) bhaṭṭinī. Nipuṇikā addressing the queen (Vikram II. 19.19); Kāñcanamālā addressing the queen (Ratnā I. 18.11). But in Pratimā (I. 5.4) the maid (ceṭī) addresses Sītā who is not yet a queen, as bhaṭṭinī. (ii) Svāminī as a term of address to the queen does not seem to occur in any extant drama.
$^2$ Ex. The maid (ceṭī) addressing the queen Bhānumatī (Veṇī. II. 2.14).
24 (C.24; B. XVII. 88b-89a). $^1$ See above 23 note 2. For an example of king addressing the queen as devī see Pratijñā. II. 10.12.
$^2$ The term bhoginī meant those who were merely an object of enjoyment i.e. those who were not dharma-patnīs (wives elligible to take part in religious rites .
$^3$ No example of svāminī being used in addressing such a wife seems to occur in any extant drama. In Mālavi. IV. 17.8 Nipuṇikā addressing Irāvatī the second wife of Agnimitra uses the term bhaṭṭinī the very term to be used rightly for the chief queen Dhāriṇī.
25 (C.25; B. XVII. 89b-90a). $^1$ Ex. The maid (ceṭī) addressing Padmāvatī (Svapna. I. 15.11) and Kuraṅgī (Avi. III. 0.45).
-XIX. 28 ] MODES OF ADDRESS AND INTONATION 343
Addressing a sister
An elder sister is to be addressed as "sister" (bhaginī)(^2) and an younger sister as 'child" (vatse)(^3).
Addressing a Brahmin lady, a nun or a female ascetic
26. A Brahmin lady, a nun (liṅgasthā) or a female ascetic (vratinī) is to be addressed as "noble lady" (ārye)(^1).
Addressing one's wife
A wife is to be addressed as "noble lady" (ārye)(^2) or by referring to her father's(^3) or son's(^4) name.
Women addressing their equals
27. Women friends among their equals are to be accosted by one another with the word "hallo" (halā)(^1).
Addressing a handmaid
By a superior woman a handmaid (preṣyā) is to be accosted with the word "hey child" (haṃ-je)(^2).
Addressing a courtezan
28. (^1)A courtezan is to be addressed by her attendents as Ajjukā(^2), and when she is an old woman she is to be addressed by other charactors in a play as Attā(^3).
(^2) This mode of address does not seem to occur in any extant drama. cf. Karp. I. p. 18.
(^3) Ex. Yaugandharāyaṇa in the role of an elder brother addresses the queen who is playing the role of his younger sister as vatse (Pratijñā. I. 9.11). C. om. 25a.
26 (C. 25b-26a; B. XVII. 90b-91a). (^1) No ex. of this rule seems to be available in any extant drama. Parivrājikā in Mālavi (I) and the female ascetic in Vikram. (V) could have been addresses as ārye instead of as bhagavatī. In Madhyama. Ghaṭokaca addresses the wife of the Brahmin as bhavatī.
(^2) Ex. Sūtradhāra addressing his wife (Mṛcch. I Malati. I)
(^3) e.g. Māṭharaputrī (Māṭhara's daughter). No example seems to occur in any extant drama.
(^4) e.g. Somaśarma-jananī (Somaśarman's mother). No example seems to occur in any extant drama.
27 (C. 26b-27a; B. XVII. 91b-92a). (^1) For ex. see Śak. Vikram. etc.
(^2) Ex. Sītā addressing her maid (Pratimā. I. 4.21), Irāvatī addressing Nipuṇikā (Mālavi. III. 14.1).
28 (C. 27b-28a; B. XVII. 92b-93a). (^{-1}) Read the hemistich 28a as या तत्र वृद्धा सा त्वाख्याता परिजनेन च.
344 THE NATYASASTRA [ XIX. 29-
Addressing wife in love-making
29. In love-making the wife may be accosted as “my dear” (priye)$^1$ by all except the king. But priests’ and merchants’ wives are always to be addressed as “noble lady” (ārye)$^2$.
Giving names to different characters in a play
30. The playwrights should always assign significant names [to characters] which are not well-known and which have been created [by them]$^1$.
Name of Brahmins and Kṣatriyas
31. Of these, Brahmins and Kṣatriyas in a play should, be given, according to their clan or profession, names ending in śarman or varman$^1$.
Naming merchants
32. The names of merchants$^1$ should end in datta$^2$.
Naming warriors
To warriors should be given names indicating much valour.$^3$
$^2$ Ex. the heterae (gaṇikā) addressed by her maid (Caru. II. 0.6). The word ajjukā (°āryakā, OIA) “madam” afterwards came to mean ‘heterae’ as in the title of the Prahasana Bhagavadajjukīyam by Baudhāyana Kavi
$^2$ No example of this seems to be available in any extant drama. But the word occurs in the form of attiā in Mṛcch. (IV.30).
29 (C.28b-59a, B. XVII. 93b 94a). $^1$ Śakuntalā is addressed as priye by Duṣyanta (Śak. VII. 20.6), but the occasion is strictly not one of love-making (śṛṅgāra); Udayana while lamenting for Vāsavadattā says Hā priye, hā priya-śiṣye etc. (Svapna. I. 12.53).
$^2$ No example seems to be available in any extant drama.
30. (C.29b-30a: B.XVII. 94b-95a). $^1$ No example of such names seems to occur in any extant drama.
31 (C.30b-31a; B.XVII. 25b-96a). $^1$ No example of such names seems to occur in any extant drama.
32 (C.31b-32a; B.XVII. 96b, 97b). $^1$ Ex. Cārudatta the hero of Bhāsa's play of the same name.
$^2$ B. reads after this one additional hemistich which in translation is as follows : The name of Kāpālikas should end in ghaṇṭa. The interpolator had evidently Bhavabhūti’s Aghoraghaṇṭa (Mālati) in mind.
$^3$ Ex. Vīrasena in Mālavī. (I.8.1).
-XIX. 37 ] MODES OF ADDRESS AND INTONATION 345
Naming king's wives
33. The king's wives should be given names [which are connected] with the idea of victory (vijaya)$^1$.
Naming courtezans
Names of courtezans should end in dattā$^2$, mitrā$^3$ and senā$^4$.
Naming hand-maids
34. In a play hand-maids should be given the names of various flowers$^1$.
Naming menials
Names of menials should bear the meaning of auspiciousness$^2$.
Naming superior persons
35. To superior persons should be given names of deep significance so that their deeds may be in harmony with such names$^1$.
Naming other persons
36. The rest of persons$^1$ should be given names suitable to to their birth and profession.
Names [that are to be given] to men and women [in a play] have been properly described [by me].
37a. Names in a play should always be made in this manner by the playwright.
33 (C. 32b-33; B.XVII. 98). $^1$ No example of this seems to occur in any extant drama.
$^2$ No example seems to occur in any old drama. And the name Vāsavadattā for the queen in several dramas seems to be a clear violation of the rule (See Svapna. Ratnā. etc.).
$^3$ No example seems to occur in any old drama.
$^4$ Ex. Vasantasenā in Bhāsa's Cāru. and Śūdraka's Mṛcch.
34 (C.33b-34a; B.XVII. 99). $^1$ Nalinikā in Avi. (II) and Padminikā in Svapna (V) seems to be rare examples of this.
$^2$ Ex. Jayasenā the servant (bhaṭa) of the king (Avi. I).
35 (C.34b-35a; B.XVII 100). $^1$ No example seems to occur in any extant play.
36 (C.35b-36a; B.XVII. 101). $^1$ E.g. Brahmacāri (Svapna. I), Viṭa (Cāru.) Devakulika, and Sudhākāra (Pratimā. IV.) etc.
37a (C. 36b; B. XVII. 102a).
44
346 THE NATYASASTRA [XIX 37-
37-38. After knowing exhaustively everything about the rules of language¹ in a drama, one shonld practise Recitation which is to have six Alaṃkāras.
Qualities of Recitation
²I shall now describe the qualities of Recitation. In it there are seven notes (svara), three voice registers (sthāna), four Varṇas (lit. manner of uttering notes), two ways of intonation (kāku), six Alaṃkāras and six limbs (aṅga). I shall now explain their characteristics.
The seven notes (svara) are : Ṣaḍja, Ṛṣabha, Gāndhāra, Madhyama, Pañcama, Dhaivata and Niṣāda. These are to be made suitable to different Sentiments.
Seven notes to suit differment Sentiments
38-40. In the Comic and the Erotic Sentiments the notes should be made Madhyama and Pañcama. Similarly in the Heroic, the Furious and the Marvellous Sentiments they should be made Ṣaḍja, and Ṛṣabha. In the Pathetic Sentiment the notes should be Gāndhāra and Niṣāda, and in the Odious and the Terrible Sentiments they should be Dhaivata.
Uses of the three voice registers
There are three voice registers (sthāna) : the breast (uras) the throat (kaṇṭha) and the head (śiras).
40-41. In the human body as well as in the Vīṇā notes and their pitches proceed from the three registers : the breast, the throat and the head.
41-42. In calling one who is at a distance, notes proceeding from the head register should be used, but for calling one who is not at a great distance, notes from the throat register is to be used, while for a person who is by one's side, notes from the breast [will be proper].
37-38 (C. and prose 37a ; B.XVII. 102b, 103a). ¹ It will be apparent from the notes given above that the rules regarding forms of address have very often been overlooked in extant dramas.
² The text from here till the beginning of 38-40 is in prose.
38-40 (C.38-39; B.XVII. 103b, 104-105a).
40-41 (C.40. 41a; B.XVII. 105b-106).
- 41-42 (C.41b-42a; B.XVII.107).
-XIX. 44 ] MODE OF ADDRESS AND INTONATION 347
42-43. At the time of Recitation, a sentence begun with notes from the breast should be raised to notes of the head register and at its close it should be brought down to notes of the throat.
Uses of the four accents
- In Recitation the four accents will be : acute (udātta) grave (anudātta), circumflex (svarita) and quivering (kampita).
¹ Recitation in circumflex and acute accents is suitable to the Comic and the Erotic Sentiments, acute and quivering accent is suitable to the Heroic, the Furious and the Marvellous Sentiments, while grave, circumflex and quivering accents are appropriate to the Pathetic, the Odious and the Terrible Sentiments.
Two ways of intonation
There are two ways of intonation, e.g. one entailing expactation (sākāṅkṣa) and another entailing no expectation (nirākāṅkṣa). These relate to the sentence uttered.
- A sentence which has not completely expressed its [intended] meaning, is said to be entailing an expectation (sākāṅkṣa) and a sentence which has completely expressed such a sense, is said to be entailing no expectation (nirākāṅkṣa).
¹Now, entailing an expectation relates to [the utterance of a sentence] of which the meaning has not been completely expressed and which has notes from the throat and the breast, and begins with a high pitch (tāra) and ends in a low pitch (mandra) and has not completed its Varṇa or Alaṃkāra.
And, entailing no expectation relates to [the utterance of a sentence] the meaning of which has not been completely expressed and which has notes from the head and begins with a low pitch (mandra) and ends with a high pitch (tāra) and has completed its Varṇa and Alaṃkāra.
42-43 (C.42b-43a; B.XVII.408).
43 (C. 43b, 43c; B. XVII. 109-110). ¹ The text from here till the beginning of 44 is in prose.
44 (C. 44; B. XVII. 111). ¹ The text from here till the beginning of 45 is in prose.
348 THE NATYASASTRA [ XIX. 45.
The six Alaṃkāras
45. The six Alaṃkāras of the [note in] Recitation are that it may be high (ucca), excited (dīpta), grave (mandra), low (nīca), fast (druta), and slow (vilambita). Now listen about their characteristics.
Uses of the six Alaṃkāras
$^1$The high (ucca) note proceeds from the head register and is of high pitch (tāra); it is to be used in speaking to anyone at a distance, in rejoinder, confusion, in calling anyone from a distance, in terrifying anyone, in affliction and the like.
The excited (dīpta) note proceeds from the head register and is of extra high pitch (tāratara); it is to be used in reproach, quarrel, discussion, indignation, abusive speech, defiance, anger, valour, pride, sharp and harsh words, rebuke, lamentation$^2$ and the like.
The grave (mandra) note proceed from the breast register and is to be used in despondency, weekness, anxiety, impatience, low-spiritedness, sickness, deep wound from weapons, fainting, intoxication, communicating secret words$^4$ and the like.
The low (nīca) note proceeds from the breast register but has a very low pitch (mandra-tara) sound; it is to be used in natural speaking, sickness$^5$, weariness due to austerities and walking a distance, panic, falling down, fainting and the like.
The fast (druta) note proceeds from the throat register and is swift; it is to be used in women's soothing children (lallana) refusal of lover's overture (manmana)$^6$, fear, cold, fever, panic$^7$, agitation, secret emergent (ātyayika), act, pain and the like.
45 (C.45; B.XVII. 112-114). $^1$ the text from here till the beginnig of 46 is in prose.
$^2$ C. om. °krandita, °nirbhartsana.
$^3$ B. inserts krīḍā after vyādhi.
$^4$ C. om. guhyārthanthavacana.
$^5$ After vyadhi read tapa-pathesrānta-trasta.
$^6$ C. skhalita-vellana-madana for lallana-manmana. On the meaning of lalla (lallana) and manmana there is no unanimity. We follow Ag's upādhyāya, who says लल्लमन्मना नायिकागतौ बालविनोदन-सान्त्वनादौ, मुखत्येव प्रायपर[भियोगानङ्गीकर]णादौ च (Ag)
$^7$ After trās (trastā, C.) read yastvātyayika (gūḍha) kāryavedanādiṣu.
-XIX. 55 ] MODES OF ADDRESS AND INTONATION 349
The slow (vilambita) note preceeds from the throat register and is of slightly low pitch (mandra)$^8$ ; it is to be used in love$^9$, deliberation, discrimination, jealous anger, envy, saying something which cannot be expressed adequately, bashfulness, anxiety, threatening, surprise, censuring, prolonged sickness$^{10}$, squeezing and the like. [On this subject] there are the following traditional couplets :
46-48. To suit various Sentiments the intonation (kāku) should always be made high (ucca), excited (dīptā), and fast (druta) in a rejoinder, confusion, harsh reproach, representing sharpness and roughness, agitation, weeping, challenging one who is not present (lit. away from the view) threatening and terrifying [anyone], calling one who is at a distance, and rebuking [anyone].
49-50. Intonation should be made grave (mandra) and low (nīca) in sickness, fever, grief, hunger, thirst, observation of a lesser vow (niyama), deliberation, deep wound from a weapon, communicating confidential words, anxiety and state of austerities.
- Intonation should be made grave (mandra) and fast (druta) in women’s soothing children (lallā)$^1$, refusal to love’s overture (manmanā)$^2$, panic and attack of cold.
52-55. The intonation should be made slow (vilambita), excited (dīptā) and of low pitch (mandra) in following an object lost after being seen, hearing anything untoward about a desired object or person, communicating something desired, mental deliberation, lunacy, envy, censure, saying something which cannot be adequately expressed [by words], telling stories, rejoinder, confusion, an action involving excess, wounded$^1$ and diseased limb, misery, grief, surprise jealous anger, joy and lamentation.
$^8$ C. mandra for tanumandra. $^9$ B. reads karuṇa after śṛṅgāra.
$^{10}$ C. reads roṣa for roga.
46-48 (C.46-48; B.XVII. 115-117).
49-50 (C om. B.XVII. 118-119).
51 (C.49; B. XVII. 120). $^1$ C. malle ca mardane for lalle ca manmane. $^2$ See note 1.
51-55 (C. 50; 51a-53a, 51b, 53b, B.XVII.121-124). $^1$ Read vikṣate vyādhite tvaṅge.
350 THE NATYASASTRA [ XIX. 56-
56. Grave (mandra) and slow (vilambita) intonations have been prescribed for words containing pleasant sense and bringing in happiness¹.
57. Exited (dīpta) and high (ucca) intonations have been prescribed for words which express sharpness and roughness. Thus the Recitation should be made to have to different intonations (lit. shelter) by the producers¹.
Intonation in different Sentiments
58-59. Slow intonation is desired in the Comic, the Erotic, and the Pathetic Sentiments. In the Heroic, the Furious and the Marvellous Sentiments the excited intonation is praised. Fast and low intonations have been prescribed in the Terrible and the Odious Sentiments. Thus the intonation should be made to follow the States (bhāva) and the Sentiments.
Six limbs of enunciation
¹Now there are six limbs [of enunciation] such as Separation (viccheda), Presentation (arpaṇa), Closure (visarga), Continuity (anubandha), Brilliance (dīpana) and Calming (praśamana).
Of these, Separation (viccheda) is due to pause (virāma). Presentation (arpaṇa) means reciting something by filling up the auditorium with graceful modulation of voice². Closure (visarga) means the finishing of a sentence. Continuity (anubandha) means the absence of separation between words³ [in a sense group] or not taking breath while uttering them. Brilliance (dīpana) means the gradually augmented notes which proceed from the three voice registers (sthāna), and Calming (praśamana) means lowering the notes of high pitch (tāra) without making them discordant.
Now about their uses in connexion with different Sentiments.
56 (C.54; B.XVII.126). ¹ B. reads one additional couplet before this.
57 (C.55; B.XVII.127). ¹ C. reads three additional hemistiches after this.
58-59. (C.57b, 58; B.XVII. 128-131). ¹ The text from here till the beginning of 60 is in prose.
² B. līlāyamānamadhuravalguṇā for līlāvarṇa.
³ B. padāntareṣu vicchedaḥ for °ateṣvavicchedaḥ.
-XIX. 60 ] MODES OF ADDRESS AND INTONATION 351
In the Comic and the Erotic Sentiments⁴ the enunciation⁵ should include Presentation, Separation Brilliancee and Calming.
In the Pathetic Sentiment it should include Brilliance and Calming.
In the Heroic the Furious and the Marvellous Sentiments it should abound in Separation, Calming, Brilliance and Continuity.
In the Odious and the Terrible Sentiments it should include Closure and Seperation.
All these are to be applied through notes of high (tāra), low (mandra) and medium (madhya) pitch proceeding [from the three voice registers]. In addressing one at distance the notes should be made of high pitch (tāra) from the head ; the person addressed being not at a great distance the notes should be made of medium pitch (madhya) from the throat, and to speak to one at one's side notes should be made of low pitch (mandra) from the breast. But one should not proceed to the high pitch (tāra) from the low (mandra) one, and from the low pitch to the high one. The three kinds of tempo (laya) of these notes are to be utilised in different Sentiments. In the Comic and Erotic Sentiments the tempo should be medium, in the Pathetic it should be slow and in the Heroic, the Furious, the Marvellous, the Odious and Terrible Sentiments quick.
Pause defined
⁶Now, Pause (virāma) in connexion with enunciation is due to the completion of sense and is to depend on the situation (lit. practical), and not on metre. Why ? Because it is found in practice that there occurs pause even after one, two three or four syllables, e.g.
- kiṃ gaccha mā viśa sudurjana vāritô'si ।
kāryaṃ tvayā nama ma sarva-janôpabhukta¹ ॥
What [is the matter] ? Be off. Don't enter. You are prohibited
⁴ B. adds ākāṅkṣāyām after hāsya-śṛṅgārayor.
⁵ C. vākyam for pāṭhyam.
⁶ The text here is in prose.
60 (C. 59; B.XVII. 132). ¹ B. bhuktam C. bhuktaḥ.
352 THE NATYASASTRA [XIX. 61-
[to enter], O very wicked man, the enjoyed-by-all, I have nothing to do with you².
Use of Pause
Thus in a play (lit. poetical composition) occur words containing small number of syllables in cases of Sūcā³ and Aṅkura⁴ [which are connected with Pause].
Hence, care should be taken about Pause. Why ? Because [an observation of] Pause clears the meaning. There is a couplet [on this subject] :
- In the [Verbal] Representation (abhinaya) the producers should always take care about Pause; for, on it depends the meaning [of words uttered].
Hands in connexion with Alaṃkāras and Pause
- Keeping the eyes fixed in the direction in which the two hands move one should make the Verbal Representation by observing proper Pauses for indicating the [intended] meaning.
63-64. In the Heroic and the Furious [Sentiments] the hands are mostly occupied with the weapons, in the Odious they are bent due to contempt, in the Comic they are to point to [something], in the Pathetic they are to hang down and in the Marvellous they are to remain motionless due to surprise.
- On similar other occasions ᵒtoo, the meaning should be made clear by means of Alaṃkāras and Pauses.
66-67. Pauses which are prescribed in a verse require Alaṃkāras. Pause should be observed after a word, when the meaning or the breath (prāṇa) requires it. And when words and syllables are combined into a [big] compound or [the utterance is] quick, or confusion about different meanings is liable to arise, Pause should be observed at the end of a foot or as required by the breath. In the remaining cases Pause should depend on the meaning.
² These are the words of a vipralabdhā Heroine.
³ See NŚ. XXIV. 43.
⁴ See NŚ. XXIV. 44.
61 (C.60; B.XVII. 133).
62 (C 61; B.XVII. 134).
63-64 (C.62-63; B.XVII. 135-136).
65 (C.64; B.XVII.137)
66-67 (C.65-67; B.XVII. 138-140a).
-XIX. 75 ] MODES AND ADDRESS AND INTONATION 353
¹Here one should know about Drawn-out Syllables (kṛṣyā-kṣara)² in connexion with the States and the Sentiments. e.g.
The Drawn-out Syllables and their use
68-69. The consonant ending in a long vowel like ā, e, ai, or au is known as a Drawn-out Syllable. In sadness, argumentation, questioning or indignation such a syllable should take (lit. be pronounced in) one Kalā time.
-
As for the rest of the syllables they may be pronounced with Pause required by their meaning, and such a Pause may be one, two, three, four, five or six Kalās' duration.
-
The Pause being of great duration (vilambita) the syllable pronounced will always¹ be [rendered] long. But its duration should not be more than six Kalās².
-
Or, taking account of the practice as required by some cause, or of the act on one should observe Pause in a verse to suit the State or the Sentiment [involved].
73 In verse, Pauses arising from the foot-division [only] are recognized ; but the position of these may be varied [on the stage] by the experts to suit the meaning [of a passage].
-
But [while observing Pause as directed above] one should not creat (lit. pronounce) ungrammatical words (apaśabda) or spoil the metre, and one should not pause too long except in places of caesura, and in [uttering words expressing] sorrow one should not make the intonation excited (dīpta)¹.
-
One should recite a dramatic composition (kāvya) which is free from literary defects (kāvya-doṣa), possesses best characteristics and has [literary] qualities, and in such a Recitation
¹ The text here is in prose. We follow B.'s text.
² C. nikṛṣṭākṣara for kṛṣyākṣara.
68-69 (C. 68-69; B.XVII. 140-141). 70 (C.70; B.XVII. 142).
71 (C.71; B.XVII. 143). ¹ C. yadā for sadā.
² C. padānāṁ for kalānām.
72 (C. 71c-72a; B.XVII. 144) . 73 (72b-73a; B.XVII. 145).
74 (C.73b, 74a; B.XVII. 146). ¹ C. repeats 77a before this.
75 (C. 75; B.XVII. 147).
45
354 THE NATYASASTRA [ XIX, 76-
one should observe proper rules relating to the utterance of notes and their Alaṃkāras.
-
Alaṃkāras and Pauses that have been prescribed in case of Sanskritic Recitation should all be observed in un-Sanskritic (Prakritic) Recitation of women as well.
-
Thus in the representation of the ten kinds of dramatic works (rūpa) producers should prepare Recitation subject to an observance of proper notes, Kalā, time (tāla) and tempo (laya).
-
Rules of intonation have been described [by me] in proper sequence. I shall describe hereafter the ten kinds of dramatic work.
Here ends Chapter XIX of Bharata’s Nāṭyaśāstra which treats of the Display of Intonation in Connexion with the Verbal Representation.
76 (C. 76; B.XVII. 148).
77 (C. 77; B.XVII.149).
78 (C. 78; B. XVII. 150)
Chapter 20: Ten Kinds of Play / Daśarūpaka (दशरूपविकल्पन)
CHAPTER TWENTY
TEN KINDS OF PLAY
- I shall now describe the tenfold¹ division of plays together with their names, functions and modes of production.
2-3. For their definition (lakṣaṇa) plays are known to be of ten kinds such as Nāṭaka,¹ Prakaraṇa, Aṅka (Utsṛṣṭikâṅka)², Vyāyoga, Bhāṇa, Samavakāra, Vīthi, Prahasana, Ḍima³, and Īhāmṛga. I shall describe their characteristics in detail (lit. from the beginning).
-
Styles (vṛtti)¹ are known as the constituent elements of all dramatic works (lit. poems). Considering their production the ten kinds of play are considered to have proceeded from these.
-
Just as the Jātis¹ and the Śrutis² of notes constitute a scale (grāma)³, so varieties of Styles make up the dramatic composition (kāvya-bandha).
-
Just as the Ṣaḍja¹ and the Madhyama² scales include all the notes, so these two [kinds of] dramatic compositions (Nāṭaka and Prakaraṇa) are made up of all the Styles.
-
The Nāṭaka and the Prakaraṇa are to be known as made up of all the Styles and they utilise all the different methods of constructions¹.
1 (C.1; B.XVIII. 1). ¹ Old writers on the subject like Kohala mention additional types of play such as Saṭṭaka, Toṭaka and Rāsaka (Ag.). Bhoja ignores the Toṭaka and recognises only twelve kinds of play including the Nāṭikā mentioned in the NŚ. (See, V. Raghavan, Śr. Pr. p. 27).
2-3 (C. 2-3; B.XVIII. 2-3). ¹ This word is sometimes loosely used as a synonym of rūpa or rūpaka.
² To distinguish it from aṅka meaning “an Act”, it it also called Utsṛṣṭikāṅka.
³ It is evidently a non-Aryan word.
4 (C.4; B.XVIII. 4). ¹ See NŚ. XXII.
5 (C. 5; B.XVIII. 5). ¹ See NŚ. (C.) XXVIII. 36ff. ² ibid. ³ ibid.
6 (C. 6; B.XVIII. 6) ¹ See NŚ. XXVIII. 22ff. ² ibid.
7 (C. 7; B.XVIII.7). ¹ It seems that 6 and 7 have taken each other's place.
| 356 | THE NATYASASTRA | [ XX. 8. |
|---|
8-9. Plays of the Vīthī, the Samavakāra, the Ihāmṛga, the Utsṛṣṭikāṅka (Aṅka), the Vyāyoga, the Bhāṇa, the Prahasana and the Ḍima classes should be made devoid of the Graceful Style. I shall hereafter describe the different methods of constructing plays.
The Nāṭaka
10-11. [A play] which has for its subject-matter a well-known story¹, for its Hero a celebrated person of exalted nature (udātta)² or which describes the character of a person descending from a royal seer³, divine protection [for him], his many super-human powers⁴ and exploits such as, success [in different under-takings] and amorous pastimes, and which has appropriate number of (lit. richly furnished which) Acts (aṅka)⁵ and Introductory Scenes (praveśaka), is called a Nāṭaka.⁶
- Character of kings, their acts and movements represent-ing many States and Sentiments and arising from (lit. made by) their joys and sorrows [when described in a play] is styled a Nāṭaka.
The Act
- After considering the denouement (kārya) suitable to the particular stage [of the plot] an Act should be constructed by expanding the Turning point (bindu) [of the play]. It should be furnished with a group (gaṇa) [of characters].¹
8-9 (C. 8-9; B.XVIII. 8-9).
10-11 (C. 10-11; B.XVIII. 10-11). ¹ It must occur in some form in a Purāṇa, Itihāsa (Rām. and Mbh.) or any other celebrated work (e.g. Bṛhatkathā).
² Rāma, Kṛṣṇa and Udayana are examples of such persons. This and the other conditions mentioned in the note above exclude living persons as Heroes of the Nāṭakas. Cf. ND, p. 27.
³ Janaka and Viśvāmitra are examples of such persons.
⁴ Divine personages may be introduced in a Nāṭaka only as Heroes of an Episode (patākā) or Episodical Incident (prakarī). See Ag. and ND. (loc cit).
⁵ For the description of Act (aṅka) see below 13-15,23.
⁶ For a description of the Introductory Scene (praveśaka) see below 19-21; 27-35.
12 (C.12; B.XVIII 12).
13 (C.13, B.XVIII. 13). ¹ C. reads this couplet differently.
.XX. 30 ] TEN KINDS OF PLAY 359
-
A wise playwright should not put in [too] many incidents in a single Act¹. And incidents in it should be depicted without a hindrance of the routine duties².
-
Persons who will enter the stage in an Act (lit. there) will go out after performing things connected with the Germ and the meaning of the play, and [they are to create] the proper Sentiments.
-
Knowing the length of a day which is divided into Kṣaṇas¹, Yāmas² and Muhūrtas³ one should distribute all the different incidents in a play to different acts.
The Introductory Scene
-
When incidents that are to be finished in course of a [single] day, cannot be accommodated in an Act they should be presented in Introductory Scenes after closing the [same] Act.
-
[Incidents] that may take place in course of a month or a year, are also to be presented [similarly] after closing the Act¹; but [incidents covering] more than a year should never be treated [in such a manner].²
-
When in an Act any person goes out on business to a distant land, it should be brought to a close [at that point] as perscribed before.
-
With an Act of the Nāṭaka and the Prakaraṇa the Hero should be closely associated. And an Introductory Scene¹ should be made up² of a conversation of attendants.
24 (C.25; B.XVIII.22). ¹ Read ekāṅke na instead of ekāṅkena (B.C.). The controversy over the reading is anterior to the time of Ag. (See Ag.).
² Routine duties include prayers as well as taking meals. (sandhyāvandanādi).
25 (C.26; B.XVIII.23).
26 (C.27; B.XVIII 25).
27 (C.28; B.XVIII.26). ¹ Ex. Avi, II, Vikram, V.
28 (C.29, B.XVIII.31). ¹ C. reads aṅkacchedaṃ kuryāt for °cchedaṃ kṛtvā. The meaning of this rule is that an Act will include events covering a month or a year. But this contradict 23 above.
29 (C.30; B.XVIII.32).
30 (C.31; B.XVIII.28). ¹ B. vijñeyaḥ for kartavyaḥ; C. praveśake for praveśako.
360 THE NATYASASTRA [ XX. 31-
31. An Introductory Scene in the Nāṭaka and the Prakaraṇa should be made to relate¹ to the essentials of the Turning Points (bindu) and follow the preceding (lit. another) Act.
32. It (the Introductory Scene) should not consist of exploits of the superior and the middling characters, and there should be no exalted speech in it. And in practice it should adopt speeches and manners of the common people.
33. An Introductory Scene may have many purposes. [For example], it may indicate the advent or passage of time, change of the Sentiments or the beginning [of an Act] or the denoument (kārya).
34. Incidents which depend on many [persons] are to be compressed by means of Introductory Scenes or in Junctures (sandhi). For a play containing [too] many prose passages¹ will be tiresome [to the actors] at [the time of] the production [of the play].
35. When a particular item cannot be completely presented in an Act lest it should be too large for [successful] production, its account should be compressed in a few words and put in an Introductory Scene.
The Explanatory Scene
36. In the Nāṭaka the Explanatory Scene (viṣkambhaka) should always be made up with the middling characters¹ and it
31 (C.32; B.XVIII.33). ¹ C. bhavati kāvyam for saṁvidhātavyaḥ.
32 (C.33; B.XVIII.34).
33 (C.34; B.XVIII.35). ¹ Read 33a as कालोत्थानगतिरसख्यात्यारम्भकार्य-विषयाणाम्. (०रसो व्याख्यासंरम्भ, B.).
² B. reads the first hemistich with the change accepted by Ag. The passage in B. in trans. will be as follows : An Introductory Scene may have many purposes. For example, it may indicate the advent or passage of time, or present some explanation or other aspects of planning the denoument (kārya).
34 (C.35; B.XVIII.36). ¹ For bahucūrṇapadair yuktam. C. reads bahu-pūrṇa-padyavṛttam. 35 (C.36; B.XVIII.37).
36 (C.37; B.XVIII.54). ¹ This is meant that superior characters do not appear in an Explanatory Scene. See below 37 note.