स्वप्नवासवदत्तम् (महाकवि भास - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी अनुवाद)

xlii INTRODUCTION. Many other analogous passages can be easily pointed out. Again, the plot in both the plays centres round Chârudatta. It thus follows that the one should be the basis of the other. It may, however, be ap- propriate to observe that Chârudattanâtaka alone can be the source wherefrom Mrichchhakatika is derived; for it is only in latter-day plays that the work and its author are specifically mentioned. While the Prastâvana in Mrichchhakatika contains a description of the poet and his work, the same is wanting in Chârudatta, which only goes to show that the former is of a subsequent date. However, Mrichchha- katika contains many excellent passages which are not met with in Chârudatta. Hence, the proper inference seems to be that the short play of Chârudatta has been amply enlarged by the addition of fine passages, which renders the plot even more interesting, and has, under the name of Mrichchhakatika, become famous as the work of Sûdraka. Thus, Mrichchhakatika being almost another version of Chârudatta, it is but proper that learned men should regard it as a very ancient work and its author as belonging to a very remote period, under the false impression that he is the original author, though his work simply con- sisted in rebuilding with old materials. There is no authority to say that Sûdraka must have lived prior to Kâlidâsa, but it is certain that he is a predecessor of Vâmana, the author on Rhetoric for he expressly says in his Kâvyâlankârasûtrarritti :— “शूद्रकादिरचितेषु प्रबन्धेष्वस्य (श्लेषाख्यगुणस्य) भूयान् प्रपञ्चो दृश्यते।” Thus, it is clear that the poetical eminence of Bhâsa has been the mainstay of poets like Kâlidâsa and Sûdraka. Here and there in these Nâtakas, are to be met with, certain forms [Certain peculiar] which are repugnant to the strict rules of Grammar [uses.] and Rhetoric. They are like the following:— १. “अपरिचयात्तु न <u>श्लिष्यते</u> मे मनसि।” (Svapna. Anka 1.) २. “आपृच्छामि भवन्तौ।” (Svapna. Anka 1). ३. “साधुजनहस्तं गतैषा <u>नोत्कण्ठिष्यति</u>।” (Svapna. Anka 1.)