प्रियदर्शिका नाटिका (सम्राट हर्षवर्धन - चतुरङ्क शास्त्रीय नाटिका सान्वय सटीक)

XXXVII. A'RANYIKA' OR PRIYADARS'IKA'. Priyadars'ikā is the Heroine of the play, as the very name of the play clearly shows it. She is called आरण्यिका up to the time of the denouement, because she was found in a forest. Priyadars'ikā is a colourless character, possessing no striking intellectual or moral qualities. She belongs to the variety of heroines known as मुग्धा, who is defined as—'मुग्धा नववयःकामा रतौ वामा मृदुः क्रुधि' । She is represented as a young maiden of rare beauty. As soon as the King catches sight of her he bursts into a panegyric of her beauty 'पातालाद्भुवनवलोकनधिया किं नागकन्यो- त्थिता । &c. ( Act II. 6 ). When she sees the King she falls in love with him and remarks that her father was right in promising her to him, thus preferring him to other suitors ( अयं स महाराजः । यस्याहं तातेन दत्ता । स्थाने खलु तातस्य पक्षपातः । ). She is extremely timid and sensitive. She laments that her passion is hopeless and will never find its fulfilment. She therefore longs for death that would relieve her of her sorrow- सर्वथा मरणं वर्जयित्वा कुतः मे हृदयस्य अन्या निर्वृतिः । Fortunately she is cheered up and helped by her friend मनोरमा. But she gives way to sorrow and despondency to such an extent that she actually takes poison. Thus Priyadars'ikā evinces none of those qualities which constitute a great character. There is, how- ever, one admirable trait in her character also. She does not reveal her identity to the last, even to her confidante Manoramā and this speaks highly for her keen sense of family honour. ——— VA'SAVADATTA'. Vāsavadattā is the chief Queen, elderly and majestic Her love for her lord is sincere and deep and her jealousy proceeds from her true deep love. In the Mimic play, when the King makes love to A'ranyikā, playing the part of the Queen, with great ardour, her suspicion is aroused. And when she learns the truth from the lips of the Vidushaka, who gave out the secret in his drowsiness, she breaks up the play in anger and orders both A'ranyikā and the Vidūshaka to be imprisoned as being accomplices in the plot. She spurns the conciliation and prostration of the king. She is truly a मानिनी (a proud self- respecting woman). She keeps Aranyikā for a pretty long time in prison. She is not easily appeased. When, however, she learns that A'ranyikā has taken poison, she is at once struck with penitence and immediately orders her to be