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

XIII Buddhistic scriptures, stayed in Harsha's dominions for 8 years (635-643). In his account of his travels this Chinese Buddhistic monk has graphically described the life and work of Harsha and the religious, social and political condition of India at the time. Harsha fell under the spell of Hieun Tsang, in whose honour he held a grand assembly at Kanauj, the capital. The object of holding this assembly was to proclaim the doctrines of Mahayan Buddhism, as expounded by Hieun Tsang, called the Master of the Law. At the conclusion of this assembly Hieun Tsang was invited to another great assembly held at Prayag at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. This was the sixth of the quin- quennial assemblies in which Harsha gave away his accumu- lated treasure to all the holy men of the various Indian religions, Buddhist, Brahmanical, and Jain and to the poor and the destitute. It was Harsha's custom to give away freely his accumulated wealth every five years. This assembly held in 643 was the last, since Harsha did not live to hold another such celebration. Harsha was not only a great warrior, an able administrator and organizer but also an accomplished scholar and man of letters. He wrote three plays, Priyadarsika, Ratnavali and Naganand and a few minor poems. He was a most liberal patron of learned men and authors. Prominent among those who received patronage from Harsha and flourished at his court were the poets Bana and Mayura. Bana, in his historical romance 'Harsha-charita' has given an account of the early life and deeds of his patron. Harsha was also a master of calligraphy, as is evidenced from his signature inscribed on the well-known Banskhera plate. Harsha chose the town of Kanauj for his capital and turned it into a magnificent city, adorned with lofty buildings, tanks and gardens. This great monarch died in A. D. 648, worn out with the toils of constant warfare and the cares of governing a vast empire, before he had reached his sixtieth year. Harsha was the last great Hindu king of Northern India. He left no heir behind him and his empire broke up after his death.