For Earth Day: Bedecked in flowers*

हस्ते लीलाकमलमलके बालकुन्दानुविद्धं

नीता लॊध्रप्रसवरजसा पाण्डुतामानने श्रीः /

चूडापाशे नवकुरबकं चारु कर्णॆ शिरीषं

सीमन्ते च त्वदुपगमजं यत्र नीपं वधूनाम् //

hasthE lIlAkamalamalakE bAlakundhAnuvidhDHam

nIthA lODHraprasavarajasA pANduthAmAnanE shrIhi /

chUdApAshE navakurabakam chAru karNE shirISHam

sImanthE cha tvadhupagamajam yathra nIpam vaDHUnAm //

[You’ll find the young women alluring thought they use mere flowers to add to their beauty] They bleach their faces with lodhra flowers, sport lotuses in their hands and fresh kunda and kurabaka blossoms in their braids; they decorate their ears with the delicate shirisha blooms and nipa flowers strung together marks the parting in their hair.

*A verse from Kalidasa’s Meghadootam [Verse 2, Uttaramegha]

lodhra –Symplocos racemosa Roxb; kunda – Jasminum multiflorum also Thevetia peruviana merrill; kurabaka – Barleria prionitis L; nipa – Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser; shirisha – Albizia odoratissima (L.F.) Benth.

http://www.patalkot.com/Herb%20Database/

The essence of goodness*

प्रियप्राया वृत्तिर्विनयमधुरो वाचि नियमः प्रकृत्या कल्याणी मतिरनवगीतः परिचयः / पुरो वा पश्चाद्वा तदिदमविपर्यासितरसं रहस्यं साधूनामनुपधि विशुद्धं विजयते

kimathrOchyathE /priyaprAyA vrththirvinayamaDHurO vAchi niyamaha prakrthyA kalyANI mathiranavagIthaha parichayaha / purO vA pashchAdhvA thadhidhamaviparyAsitharasam rahasyam sADHUnAmanupaDHi vishudhDHam vijayathE

A likeable disposition is one that is made sweet by humility, restraint in speech, a mind which is by nature virtuous, a tendency not to abuse familiarity. At all times [in the future or in the past], this ageless secret, which is the pure essence of goodness, triumphs [over all else]

*From Act II of Bhavabhuti’s Uttararamacharitam.

Uttararamacharitam [contd.]: post 12

लक्ष्मणः – एतानि तानि सरहस्य जृम्भकास्त्राणि यानि भगवतः कृशाश्वात् कौशिकं ऋषिं विश्वस्य मित्रं विश्वामित्रम् उपसङ्क्रान्तानि / तेन च ताटकावधे प्रसादीकृतान्यार्यस्य /

lakshmaNaha: EthAni thAni sarahasya jrmbhakAsthrANi yAni bhagavathaha krshAshvAth kaushikam rSHim vishvasya mirthram vishvAmithram upasankrAnthAni /  thEna cha thAtakAvaDHE prasAdhIkrthAnyArasya /

LAKSHMANA: They are jrmbhaka weapons.  Knowledge regarding the use of these weapons is a closely guarded secret.  Sage Krishashva gave these ashtras to Kushika’s son, the honourable sage Vishvamitra, the friend of the world!  After Rama killed the demoness Thataka, Vishvamitra presented him with these holy weapons.

रामः – वन्दस्व देवि दिव्यास्त्राणि /

ब्रह्मादयो ब्रह्महिताय तप्त्वा परःसहस्राः शरदस्तपांसि / एतान्यपश्यन् गुरवः पुराणाः स्वान्येव तेजांसि तपोमयानि // १५ //

rAmaha: vandhasva dhEvi dhivyAsthrANi /

brahmAdhayO brahmahithAya thapthvA parahsahasrAha sharadhasthapAmsi / EthAnyapashyan guravaha purANaha svAnyEva thEjAmsi thapOmayAni//15//

RAMA: Let us pay our respects to the celestial weapons, my dear.

Brahma, along with many sages, performed penance for hundreds of years for the good of all creation.  Finally, as a result of their penance, these weapons emerged, reflecting the radiance of the celestials.

सीता – नमो एतेभ्यः /

sIthA: namO EthEbhyaha /

SITA: I offer my salutations to them.

रामः – सर्वथेदानीं त्वत् प्रसूतिम् उपस्थास्यन्ति /

rAmaha: sarvaTHEdhAnIm thvath prasUthim upasTHAsyanthi /

RAMA: Now, they will all surely wait on the children you give birth to.

सीता – अनुगृहीतास्मि /

sIthA: anugrhIthAsmi /

SITA: I am indeed blessed!

लक्ष्मणः – एष मिथिलावृत्तान्तः /

lakshmaNaha: Esha miTHilAvrththAnthaha /

LAKSHMANA: This is a portrait of the Mithila episode.

सीता – अम्महे / दलन्नवनीलोत्पलश्यामलस्निग्धमसृणमांसलेन देहसौभाग्येन विस्मयस्तिमिततातदृश्यमान सौंयसुन्दरश्रीः अनादरखण्डित शङ्करशरासनः शिखण्डमुग्धमण्डनः आर्यपुत्र आलिखितः /

sIthA: ammahE / dhalannavanIlOthpalashyAmalasnigDHamasrNamAsalEna dhEhasaubhAgyEna vismayasthimithathAthadhrshyamAna saumyasundharashrIhi anAdharakhaNditha shankarasharAsanaha shikhaNdamugDHamaNdana Aryaputhra Alikhithaha /

SITA: Oh, how wonderful!  My husband, dark-hued like a freshly blooming blue lotus, gifted with a magnificent body – strong, yet supple, and a face framed by dark curls, is seen in this picture with my father who is watching, with surprise and admiration, as my husband breaks with ease the great bow of Lord Shiva.

Uttararamacharitam [Contd. Post 11]

रामः – शान्तम् /

उत्पत्तिपरिपूतायाः किमस्याः पावनान्तरैः / तीर्थोदकं च वह्निश्च नान्यतः शुद्धिमर्हतः // १३ //

देवि देवयजनसंभवे / प्रसीद / एष ते जीवितावधिः प्रणामः /

कष्टो जनः कुलधनैरनुरञ्जनीयस्तन्मे यदुक्तम् अशिवं न हि तत् क्षमं ते / नैसर्गिकी सुरभिणः कुसुमस्य सिद्धा मूर्ध्नि स्थितिर्न चरणैरवताडितम् // १४ //

rAmaha: shAntham / 

uthpaththiparipUthAyAha kimasyAha pAvanAtharaihi /  thIrTHOdhakam cha vahnishcha nAnyathaha shudhDHimarhathaha // 13 //

dhEvi dhEvayajanasambhavE I prasIdha / ESHa thE jIvithAvaDHihi praNAmaha /

kaSHtO janaha kulaDHanairanuranjanIyasthanmE yadhukthamashivam na hi thath kSHamam thE I  naisargikI surabhiNaha kusumasya sidhDHA mUrDHni sTHithirna charaNairavathAdithAm // 14 //

RAMA: Shh! Quiet!

The waters of the sacred rivers and the fire that purify need no further purification. For one whose birth is in itself blemishless, where is the need to prove their purity through rituals? 

My dear! Blessed one! Do keep up your spirits. Allow me to say this: To protect the wealth of family honour that is at stake, we have to pay heed to the society’s dicta.  You do not merit the harsh words I spoke to you then – a flower with natural fragrance deserves to be placed on the head, not kicked with the foot.

सीता – भवतु आर्यपुत्र भवतु / एहि प्रेक्षामहे तावत् ते चरितम् /

(उत्थाय परिक्रामतः)

sIthA: bhavathu Aryaputhra bhavathu /  Ehi prEkSHAmahE thAvath thE charitham /

(uthTHAya parikrAmathaha)

SITA: It is all right, my Lord, it’s all right. Come now, let’s see the (pictorial) narration of your story.

(Everyone gets up and walks around the stage)

लक्ष्मणः – इदं तद् आलेख्यम् /

lakshmaNaha: idham thadh Alekhyam /

LAKSHMANA: Here is the painting!

सीता – (निर्वर्ण्य) क इदानीमेते उपरि निरन्तरस्थिता उपस्तुवन्ति इवार्यपुत्रम् /

sIthA: (nirvarnya) ka idhAnImEthE upari nirantharasTHithA upasthuvanthi ivAryaputhram I

SITA: (Looking at the painting) Who are these people standing in a group, surveying my husband from above? They seem to be extolling him, worshipping him.

Uttararamacharitam [Contd. – Post 10]

रामः – कः कोऽत्र भोः / विश्रम्यताम् अष्टावक्रः /

ramaha: kaha kOthra bhOho /  vishramyathAm aSHtAvakraha /

RAMA: Who’s there?  Arrange for Ashtavakra to rest.

अष्टावक्रः – (उत्थाय परिक्रम्य) अये कुमार लक्ष्मणः प्राप्तः /

(निष्क्रान्तः)

aSHtAvakraha: (uthTHAya parikramya) ayE kumAra lakshmaNaha prApthana /

(niSHkrAnthaha)

ASHTAVAKRA: (Stands up and turns) Oh! Young Lakshmana has come!

 (Exit Ashtavakra)

(प्रविश्य)

लक्ष्मणः – जयत्वार्यः / आर्य तेन चित्रकारेण अस्मदुपदिष्टम् अस्यां वीथिकायाम् आर्यस्य चरितम् आलिखितम् / तत् पश्यत्वार्या /

(pravishya)

lakshmaNaha: jayathvAryaha /  Arya thEna chithrakArENa asmadhupadhiSHtam asyAm vITHikAyAm Aryasya charitham Alikhitham / thath pashyathvAryA /

(Enter Lakshmana)

LAKSHMANA: Victory to you!  Brother, as per your orders, the artist has painted your story on the walls of the corridor.  I request my sister-in-law to come and see the paintings. 

रामः – जानासि वत्स दुर्मनायमानां देवीं विनोदयितुम् / तत् कियन्तम् अवधिम् यावत् /

rAmaha: jAnAsi vathsa dhurmanAyamAnAm dhEvIm vinOdhayithum /  thath kiyantham avaDHim yAvath /

RAMA: You know how to entertain the queen, who is somewhat upset now.  How far has the artist got to?

लक्ष्मणः – यावद् आर्याया हुताशने विशुद्धिः /

lakshmaNaha: yAvadh AryAyA huthAshanE vishudhDHihi /

LAKSHMANA: The painting is done till the queen’s purification by fire.

Uttararamacharitam [contd.]: Post 9

अष्टावक्रः – इदं भगवत्यरुन्धत्या देवीभिः शान्तया च भूयोभूयः संदिष्टम् / यः कश्चिद्गर्भदोहदोस्या भवति सोवश्यमचिरान्मानयितव्यः /

aSHtAvakraha: idham bhagavathyarunDHathyA dhEvIbhihi shAnthayA chabhUyObhUyaha sandhiSHtam / yaha kashchidh garbhadhOhadhO asyA bhavathi sOvashyam achirAn mAnayithavyaha /

ASHTAVAKRA: Venerable Arundhati, the three queen mothers and Shantha repeatedly asked me to convey this message to you – ‘Whatever wish Sita may have during her pregnancy must be immediately attended to.’     

रामः – क्रियते यदेषा कथयति /

rAmaha: kriyathE yadhESHA kaTHayathi /

RAMA: Whatever she desires will be done.

 अष्टावक्रः – ननान्दुः पत्या च देव्याः संदिष्टमृष्यशृङ्गेण / वत्से / कठोरगर्भेति नानीतासि / वत्सोपि रामभद्रस्त्वद्विनोदार्थमेव स्थापितः / तत्पुत्रपूर्णोत्सङ्गामायुष्मतीं द्रक्ष्यामः /

aSHtAvakraha: nanAndhuhu pathyA cha dhEvyAha sandhiSHtam rSHyashrngENa / vathsE / kaTOragarbhEhi nAnIthAsi / vathsOpi rAmabhadhrasthvadh vinOdhArTHamEva sTHApithaha / thath puthrapUrNOthsangAm AyuSHmathIm dhrakshyAmaaha /

ASHTAVAKRA: My lady, your sister-in-law’s husband, Rishyashringa, has asked me to convey this message to you: ‘You have been left behind only because of the advanced state of your pregnanc. Rama has also been asked to stay back in Ayodhya so as to take care of you. We hope to see you soon, in the best of health and with a child on your lap.

रामः – (सहर्षलज्जस्मितम्) तथास्तु / भगवता पुनर्वसिष्ठेन न किञ्चिदादिष्ठोस्मि /

ramaha (saharSHakajjAsmitham): thaTHAsthu / bhagavathA punarvasiSHYEna na kinchidh AdhiSHtosmi /

RAMA (with a happy, shy smile): As you say so may it be. Has not revered Vasishta asked that I be given any words of advice?

अष्टावक्रः – श्रूयताम् /

जामातृयज्ञेन वयं निरुद्धास्त्वं बाल एवासि नवं च राज्यम् / युक्तः प्रजानाम् अनुरञ्जने स्यास्तस्माद्यशो यत् परमं धनं वः // ११ //

ASHTAvakraha: shrUyathAm/
JAmAthryagnyEna vayam nirudhdDHAsthvam bAla EvAsi navam cha rAjyam /  yukthaha prajAnAm anuranjanE syAsthasmAdh yashO yath paramam DHanam vaha // 11 //

ASHTAVAKRA: Please listen (to the message): “We are staying back to participate in the sacred yagna conducted by the son-in-law of our house. You are young and kingship is new to you. Reign so as to ensure the happiness of your subjects. The distinction such a reign will give you is our greatest wealth.”

रामः – यथाह भगवान् मैत्रावरुणिः /

स्नेहं दयां च सौख्यं च यदि वा जानकीमपि / आराधनाय लोकस्य मुञ्चतो नास्ति मे व्यथा // १२ //

rAmaha: yaTHAha bhagavAn maithrAcaruNihi /
 snEham dhyAm cha saukhyam cha yadhi vA jAnakImapi / ArADHanAya lOkasya munchathO nAsthi mE vyaTHA // 12 //

RAMA: I shall do as the honourable Maitravaruni commands. Without feeling perturbed, I shall sacrifice anything – be it friendship, sympathy, comfort or even Sita – in the service of my subjects.

सीता – अत एव राघवधुरन्धरो आर्यपुत्रः /

sIthA: atha Eva rAghavaDHuranDHara Aryaputhrana /

SITA: It is this attitude of his that makes my Lord the greatest in the Raghava dynasty.

Uttararamacharitam [Contd.]: Post 8

(प्रविश्य)

अष्टावक्रः – स्वस्ति वाम् /

(pravishya aSHtAvakra)

ashtAvakraha: svasthi thvAm /

(Enter Ashtavakra)

ASHTAVAKRA: May all be well with you.

रामः – भगवन्नभिवादये / इत आस्यताम् /

rAmaha: bhagavan abhivAdhayE / itha AsyathAm /

RAMA: Sir, my respects to you. Pray, be seated.

सीता – नमस्ते / अपि कुशलं मे समग्रस्य गुरुजनस्य / आर्यायाश्च शान्तायाः /

sIthA: namasthE / api kushalam mE samagrasya gurujanasya / AryAyAscha shAnthAyaha /

SITA: Greetings! Are all my elders keeping well? And, my respected sister Shantha too?

रामः – निर्विघ्नः सोमपीती आवुत्तो मे भगवान् ऋष्यशृङ्ग आर्या च शान्ता /

ramaha: nirvighnaha sOmapIthI AvuththO mE bhagavAn rSHyashrnga AryA cha shAnthA /

RAMA: How are my brother-in-law – the honourable Rishyashinga – and my sister, Shantha? Are they able to carry on with their religious duties without hindrance?

सीता – अस्मान् वा स्मरति /

sIthA: asmAn vA smarathiI /

SITA: Do they remember us?

अष्टावक्रः – (उपविश्य) अथ किम् / देवि भगवान् वसिष्टस्त्वामाह

विश्वम्भरा भगवती भवतीमसूत राजा प्रजापतिसमो जनकः पिता ते /  तेषां वधूस्त्वमसि नन्दिनि पार्थिवानां येषां गृहेषु सविता च गुरुर्वयं च //९//

तद्किमन्यदाशास्महे / केवलं वीरप्रसवा भूयाः /

aSHtAvakraha: aTHa kim / dhEvi bhagavAn vasiSHTasthvAmAha

vishvambharA bhagavathI bhavathImasUtha rAjA prjApathi samO janakaha pithA thE / thESHAm vaDHUsthvamasi nandhini pArTHivAnAm yESHAm grhESHu savithA cha gururvayam cha // 9 I//

thath kimanyadh AshAsmahE / kEvalam vIraprasavA bhUyaha /

ASHTAVAKRA: Of course! My lady, revered Vasishta has asked me to convey this message to you:

You are born of Goddess Earth. King Janaka, the equal of Brahma in knowledge, is your father. O one who gives joy to all, you are a bride of the family whose preceptors we are and whose kings are descendants of the Sun himself. What else can we wish for you, except that you may have valiant offspring?

रामः – अनुगृहीतः स्मः /

लौकिकानां हि साधूनामर्थं वागनुवर्तते /  ऋषीणां पुनराद्यानां वाचमर्थोनुधावति //१०//

rAmaha: anugrhIthAha smaha /

laukikAnAm hi sADHUnAm arTHam vAganuvarthathe / rSHINAm punarAdhyAnAm vAcham arTHOnuDHAvathi // 10 //

RAMA: Indeed, we are blessed. It is said that wise men speak of reality as it exists, but the words of sages become reality after they are uttered.

Uttararamacharitam [Contd.]: Post 7

(प्रविश्य)

कञ्चुकी – रामभद्र / (इत्यर्धोक्ते साक्षेपम्) महाराज /

(pravishya)

kanchukI: rAmabhadra (ithyarDHOkthE sAshankam) mahArAja/

 (Enter)

KANCHUKI: Dear Rama …. (biting his tongue mid-sentence, then apprehensively) Your Majesty!

रामः – (सस्मितम्) आर्य / ननु रामभद्र इत्येव मां प्रत्युपचारः शोभते तातपरिजनस्य / तद्यथाभ्यासमुच्यताम् /

rAma:(sasmitham) Arya! nanu rAmabhadhra ithyEva mAm prathyupachAraha shObhathE thAthaparijanasya/ thadhyaTHAbhyAsam uchyathAm /

RAMA: (Smiling) Good sir! It is only proper that those who were in service even during the time of my father and are used to addressing me as ‘dear Rama’ should continue calling me by name as is their habit.

कञ्चुकी – ऋष्यशृङ्गाश्रमादष्टावक्रः संप्राप्तः /

kanchukI: rSHyashrngAshramAdh aSHtAvakraha samprApthaha/

KANCHUKI: Ashtavakra has arrived, from Rishyashringa’s hermitage.

सीता – आर्य ततः किं विलम्ब्यते /

sIthA: Arya thathaha kim vilambyathE /

SITA: (Addressing Kanchuki) Good sir, why tarry further?

रामः – त्वरितं प्रवेशय /

(कञ्चुकी निष्क्रान्तः)

rAmaha: thvaritham pravEshaya I

(kanchukI niSHkrAnthaha)

RAMA: Make haste. Go and invite him in.

(Exit Kanchuki)

Uttararamacharitam [contd. post 6]

(ततः प्रविशत्युपविष्टो रामः सीता च /)

रामः –

देवि वैदेहि समाश्वसिहि समाश्वसिहि / ते हि गुरवो न शक्नुवन्त्यस्मान् विमोक्तुम् /

किन्त्वनुष्ठाननित्यत्वं स्वातन्त्र्यमपकर्षति / संकटा ह्याहिताग्नीनां प्रत्यवायैर्गृहस्थता //८//

(thathaha pravishathi upavishtO rAmaha sIthA cha)

rAmaha: dhEvi vaidhEhi samAshvasihi samAshvasihi / thE hi guravO na shanuvanthyasmAn vimOkthum /

kinthvanuSHTAnanithyathvam svAthanthryam apakarSHathi / sankata hyAhithAgnInAm prathyavAyairgrhasthaTHA // 8 //

(Rama and Sita are on stage, sitting)

RAMA: Dear Vaidehi, don’t feel sad. Our elders can’t bear to leave us, but routine work has to be attended to; it robs householders of their freedom. That’s why your people had to go back, leaving our palace seeming so empty.

सीता – जानाम्यार्यपुत्र जानामि / किन्तु सन्तापकारिणो बन्धुजनविप्रयोगा भवन्ति /

sIthA: jAnAmyAryaputhra jAnAmi /  kinthy santhApakAriNO banDHyanaviprayOgA bhavanthu /

SITA : I know my Lord, I know.  But separation from one’s near and dear does cause sadness.

रामः – एवमेतत् / एते हि हृदयमर्मच्छिदः संसारभावा येभ्यो बीभत्समानाः संत्यज्य सर्वान् कामानरण्ये विश्राम्यन्ति मनीषिणः /

rAma: EvamEthath / EthE hi hrdhayamarmachChidhaha samsArabhAvA yEbhyO bIbhathsamAnAha santhyajya sarvAn kAmAn araNyE vishrAmyanthi manISHiNaha /

RAMA: It does happen! Such occurrences, so much a part and parcel of life, weigh heavy on our hearts. Disgusted with such misery, unavoidable in worldly life, the wise give up everything and retire to live peacefully in the forest.

For the best of times, and for the not so good times too…

On this New Year’s day, while our wishes are for all that is good and best, it may not be wrong to remember that there may be downsides. This verse from ‘Bhartrhari’s Nitisatakam’ is for us to draw strength, for those not so good times …

सम्पत्सु महतां चित्तं भवत्युत्पलकोमलम् /

आपत्सु च महाशैलशिलासन्घातकर्कशम् // ६५ //

sampathsu mahathAm chiththam bhavathyuthpalakOmalam /

Apathsu cha mahAshailashilAsanghAthakarkasham // 65 //

When they attain good fortune, their thoughts are mellow, marked by concern for others; when misfortune strikes, they withstand it, as strong as a rock, without succumbing to self-pity. [Such is the nature of the great]

Uttararamacharitam [contd., post 5]

सूत्रधारः – यदिपुनरियंकिंवदन्तीमहाराजंप्रतिस्यन्देत्ततःकष्टंस्यात् /

SUTRADHARA: If this gossip reaches the king’s ears, we will be in trouble.

नटः – सर्वथाऋषयोदेवताश्चश्रेयोविधास्यन्ति /

(परिक्रम्य)

भोभोः / केदानींमहाराजः /

(आकर्ण्य) एवंजनाःकथयन्ति /

स्नेहात्सभाजयितुमेत्यदिनान्यमूनिनीत्वोत्सवेनजनकोद्यगतोविदेहान् / देव्यास्ततोविमनसःपरिसान्त्वनायधर्मासनाद्विशतिवासगृहंनरेन्द्रः //७//

(निष्क्रान्तौ)

ACTOR: Surely, the blessings of the sages and the gods will ensure that only good things will happen…

(Walking all over the stage, looking for someone)

Oh, hey there! Where is the king?

(Cupping his ear, to listen)

The people are saying:

Janaka, who had come here for the coronation (of his son-in-law Rama), and had stayed back all these days out of affection (for his daughter Sita and her husband), has just left for Videha (his capital city). The king has gone to his palace to console Sita who is feeling sad (as her father has left) and that’s why we cannot find him on the throne.

(Exit Sutradhara and actor)

nataha: sarvaTHA rSHayO dhEvathAshcha shrEtO viDHAsyanthi I

(parikramya)

bhO bhOho I kEdhAnIm mahArAjaha I

(AkarNya)

Evam janAha kaTHayanthi I

snEhAth sabhAjayithum Ethya dhinAnyamUni nIthvOthsavEna janakOdhya gathO vidhEhAn I DHarmAsanAdh vishathi vAsagrham narEndhraha II 7 II

(niSHkrAthau)

Uttararamacharitam [contd., post 4]

नटः – तेनहिनिरूपयतुराज्ञःसुपरिशुद्धाम्उपस्थानस्तोत्रपद्धतिंभावः /

ACTOR: You must demonstrate to the king the purity of your language when you pray.

nataha: thEna hi nirUpayathu rAgnyaha suparishudhDHam upasTHAnasthOthra – padhDHathim bhAvaha /

सूत्रधारः – मारिष

सर्वथाव्यवहर्तव्यंकुतोह्यवचनीयता / यथास्त्रीणांतथावाचांसाधुत्वेदुर्जनोजनः //५//

SUTRADHARA: (Addressing the actor by his name, Marisha) Language is always pure. How can it be defiled? Only the benighted discourse about the purity of language and the purity of women.

sUtraDHAraha: mAriSHa/

sarvaTHA vyavaharthavyam kuthO hyavachanIyathA IyaTHA shrINAm thaTHA vAchAm sADHuthvE durjanO janaha // 5//

नटः –
अतिदुर्जनइतिवक्तव्यम् /

देव्याम्अपिहिवैदेह्यांसापवादोयतोजनः / रक्षोगृहस्थितिर्मूलम्अग्निशुद्धौत्वनिश्चयः //६//

ACTOR: They are very cruel indeed! People suspect even our queen Vaidehi (Sita) because she remained imprisoned in Ravana’s abode. They suspect her chastity even after she was purified by fire!

nataha: athidhurjana ithi vakthavyam /

dhEvyAm api hi vaidhEhyAm spavAdhO yathO janaha I rakshOgrhasTHirmUlam agnishudhDHau thvanishchayaha // 6 //

Uttararamacharitam [contd., post 3]

नटः – वैदेशिकोस्मीति पृच्छामि / कः पुनर्जामाता /

nataha : vaidhEshikOsmIthi prchCHAmi I kaha punar jAmAthA /

ACTOR: I’m new to these parts, so please tell me – who is this son-in-law?

सूत्रधारः –

कन्यां दशरथो राजा शान्तां नाम व्यजीजनत् / अपत्यकृतिकां राज्ञे लोमपादाय तां ददौ //४//

विभाण्डकसुतस्तामृष्यशृङ्ग उपयेमे / तेन द्वादशवार्षिकं सत्रमारब्धम् / तदनुरोधात् कठोरगर्भामपि वधूं जानकीं विमुच्य गुरुजनस्तत्र गतः / तत् किमनेन / एहि / राजद्वारमेव स्वजातिसमयेनोपतिष्ठावः /

sUthraDHAraha : kanyAm dhasharaTHO rAjA shAnthAm nAma vyajIjanath / apathyakrthikAm rAgnyE lOmapAdhAya yAm dhadhou // 4 //

vibhANdakasuthasthAm rshyashrnga upayEmE I thEna dhvAdhashavArSHikam sathram ArabDHam / thadhanurODHAth kaTOragarbhAm api vaDHUm jAnakIm vimuchya gurujanasthathra gathaha I thath kimanEna / Ehi I rAjadhvAram Eva svajAthisamayEnOpathiSHTAvaha/

SUTRADHARA: King Dasharatha had a daughter called Shantha. She was given in adoption to King Lomapada. Rishyashringa, sage Vibhandaka’s son, married her. Rishyashringa has started a a religious performance that will go on for the next twelve years. Out of respect for him, all the elders in the palace have gone to his hermitage, leaving Sita, though  she is in an advanced state of pregnancy. Well, how does that matter to us? Come along. Let’s go to the palace with the others.

Bhavabhuti’s Uttararamacharitam [contd., post 2]

(प्रविश्य)

नटः – भाव / प्रेषिता हि ते स्वगृहान् महाराजेन लङ्कासमरसुहृदो महात्मनः प्लवङ्गराक्षसाः सभाजनोपस्थायिनश्च नानादिगन्तपावना ब्रह्मर्षयो राजर्षयश्च यदाराधनायैतावतो दिवसान् उत्सव आसीत् /

संप्रति हि

वसिष्ठाधिष्ठिता देव्यो गता रामस्य मातरः / अरुन्धतीं पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञे जामातुराश्रमम् //३//

(pravishya)

nataha: bhAva I prESHithA hi thE svagrhAn mahArAjEna lankAsamarasuhrdhO mahAthmanaha plavangarAkshasAha sabhAjanOpasTHAyinashcha nAnAdhiganthapAvanA brahmarSHayO rAjrSHayashcha yadhArADHanAyaithAvathO dhivasAn uthsava AsIth I

samprathi hi

vasiSHTADHiSHTithA dhEvyO ghathA rAmasya mAtharaha I arunDHathIm puraskrthya yagnyE jAmAthurAshramam // 3 //

(Enter)

ACTOR: Sir! I understand that the great monkeys and demons, who were befriended during the Lanka war, and also the sages and the wise kings, to honour whom there was a festival all these days, have all returned home after being thanked adequately by the king.

Further,

I believe that as per Vasishta’s advice, all the three queens of Dasaratha, the mothers of Rama, have gone with Arundhati (Vasishta’s wife) to attend the performance of a sacred event at their son-in-law’s hermitage. This is what I have heard.

SUthraDHAraha : EvamEthath /

सूत्रधारः – एवमेतत् /

SUTRADHARA: Ah, yes, That is so.

Bhavabhuti’s Uttararamacharitam

Starting today, we are hoping to post, as frequently as possible, a few verses from the play

Uttararamacharitam by Bhavabhuti.

The idea is to have the whole play translated, in due course.

ACT I – CHITRADARSHANAM

इदम् कविभ्यः पूर्वेभ्यो नमोवाक्यम् प्रशास्महे /वन्देमहि च ताम् वाचम् अमृताम् आत्मनः कलाम् //१//

idham kavibhyaha pUrvEbhyO namOvAkyam prashAsmahE / vandhEmahi cha thAm vAcham amrthAm Athmanah kalAm // 1 //

Let us begin by expressing our respect to the poets of yore and saluting the Goddess of Speech, Saraswati, who is like nectar and who is an aspect of the Almighty.

(नान्द्यन्ते)

सूत्रधारः – अलम् अतिविस्तरेण / अद्य खलु भगवतः कालप्रियानाथस्य यात्रायाम् आर्यमिश्रान् विज्ञापयामि / एवम् अत्रभवन्तो विदांकुर्वन्तु / अस्ति तत्रभवान् काश्यपः श्रीकण्ठपदलाञ्छ्नॊ भवभूतिर्नाम /

यं ब्रह्माणम् इयं देवी वाग्वश्यॆवानुवर्तते / उत्तरं रामचरितं तत्प्रणीतं प्रयुज्यते //२//

एषोस्मि कार्यवशाद् आयोध्यकस्तदानींतनश्च संवृत्तः / (समन्तादवलोक्य) भो भोः / यदा तावदत्रभवतः पौलस्त्यकुलधूमकेतोर्महाराजरामस्यायम् अभिषेकसमयो रात्रिंदिवम् असंहृतनान्दीकस्तत् किमद्य विश्रान्तचारणानि चत्वरस्थानानि /

(nAndhyanthE)
sUthraDHAraha: alam athivistharENa I adhya khalu bhagavathaha kAlapriyAnATHasya yAthrAyAm AryamishrAn vignyApayAmi I Evam athrabhavanthO vidhAnkurvanthu I asthi thathrabhavAn kAshyapaha shrIkaNTapadhalAnCHanO bhavabhUthirnAma I

yam brahmANam iyam dhEvI vAg vashyEvAnuvarthathE I uththaram rAmacharitham thathpraNItham prayujyathE // 2 //

ESHOsmi kAryavashAdh AyODHyakasthadhAnInthanashcha samvrththaha I

(samanthAdh avalOkya)

bhO bhOho I yadhA thAvadh athrabhavanthaha paulasthyakulaDHUmakEthOr mahArAjarAmasya ayam abhiSHEkasamayO rAthrimdhivam asamhrthAnandhanAndhIkasthath kimadhya vishrAnthachAraNAni chathvarasTH AnAni I

(After the prayer)

SUTRADHARA: Let me not take too much time to give you the details. Today, on the occasion of the festival in honour of Lord Kalapriyanatha, I wish to make a submission before this august audience. Hear this, all of you: There is, in the lineage of Kashyapa, one called Bhavabhuti, who has been conferred the title ‘Srikanta’.

This brahmin is followed everywhere by the Goddess of Speech as though she is under a spell. We will now enact Uttararamacharitam written by him.

Now, because of my job, I have become a citizen of Ayodhya and have gone back in time.

(Looking all around)

Oh people! During the coronation of the great Rama, who came like a comet of misfortune to Ravana’s family, the popular centres of the town were full of activity day in and day out. How is it that the streets are deserted now?

Of virtue and the vicious

मृगमीनसज्जनानां तृणजलसंतोषविहितवृत्तीनाम् /

लुब्धकधीवरपिशुना निष्कारणवैरिणो जगति // ६० //

mrugamInasajjanAnAm thruNajalasamthOSHavihithavruththInAm /

lubDHakaDHIvarapishunA niSHkAraNavairiNO jagathi // 60 //

Animals, fish and good people ask for just grass, water and peace to thrive. Regardless of their modest demands, which hurt none, they get hunted, killed and maligned by enemies.

Wither virtues?

जाड्यम् ह्रीमिति गण्यते व्रतरुचौ दम्भः शुचौ कैतवं

शूरे निर्घृणता मुनौ विमतिता दैन्यं प्रियालापिनि /

तेजस्विन्यवलिप्तता मुखरता वक्तर्यशक्तिस्स्थिरे

तत्को नाम गुणो भवेत्स गुणिनां यो दुर्जनैर्नाङ्कितः //

jADyam hrImithi gaNyathe vratharuchau dhamBHaha shuchau kaithavam

shUrE nirGrNathA munau vimathithA dhainyam priyAlApini /

thEjasvinyavalipthathA muKHarathA vaktharyashakthissTHirE

thathkO nAma guNO BHavEthsa guNinAm yO dhurjanairnAnkithaha //

In the modest, they see dumbness; in the religious, hypocrisy; in the ethical, they see deceit; in the valiant, lack of compassion;

In the ascetic they see madness; in pleasant talk, timidity.

in the brilliant, arrogance; in an orator, verbosity; In the stable, they see weakness;

Be it any trait of high acclaim, are there any that the malevolent will not see with a jaundiced eye?*

*With due acknowledgement to Dr. H. K. Ramapriyan. Please see earlier post for details

शास्त्रॊपस्कृतशब्दसुन्दरगिरः शिष्यप्रदेयागमाः

विख्याताः कवयॊ वसन्ति विषयॆ यस्य प्रभोर्निर्धनाः /

तज्जाड्यं वसुधाधिपस्य कवयस्त्वर्थं विनाऽपीश्वराः

कुत्स्यास्स्युः कुपरीक्षका हि मणयॊ यैरर्घतः पातिताः //

shAsthrOpaskrthashabdhasundharagiraha shiSHyapradhEyAgamAha

viKHyAthAha kavayO vasanthi viSHayE yasya praBHOrnirDHanAha /

thajjADyam vasuDHADHipasya kavayastvarTHam vinApIshvarAha

kuthsyAssyuhu kuparIkSHakA hi maNyO yairarGHathaha pAthithAha //

Rich with scriptural nuances, beautiful language and literary merit are their works; ready and willing are they to share their knowledge. Despite the richness of their scholarship, were such poets to be found destitute, the indignity vests not in them, but in the ruler of their land. The merit of the scholar is not diminished by their penury just as undervaluing a jewel does not reduce its worth.

Bhartrhari’s Nitisatakam

From today, we shall be posting verses from the poetic work, ‘Nitisatakam’ [ नीतिशतकम्], composed by the poet-king Bhartrhari in the latter half of the seventh century CE. The verses and translations are inspired by, though not always  reproduced from,  Dr. H. K. Ramapriyan’s publication, ‘Bhartrharinitisatakam’ [1999].*

 

बोद्धारो मत्सरग्रस्ताः प्रभवः स्मयदूषिताः /

अबोधोपहताश्चान्ये जीर्णमङ्गे सुभाषितम् //

 

bOdDArO mathsaragrasthAha praBHavaha smayadhUSHithAha/

abODHOpahathAshchAnyE jIrNamangE suBHASHitham//

 

The intelligent are steeped in envy, the leaders are corrupted by pride, and the rest are submerged in ignorance. Good words, therefore, remain unspoken [as there is no one to listen].

 

Dr. Ramapriyan’s address, as provided in the publication: 11860 Linden Chapel Road, Clarksville, MD 21029, United States of America.

Equanimity

The sun grows coppery red as he rises and even as he sets; so too do the wise maintain the same temperament in prosperity and adversity.

उदेति सविता ताम्रः ताम्र एव अस्तमेति च / संपत्तौ च विपत्तौ च सतां एकैव रूपता //

udhEthi savithA thAmraha thAmra Eva asthamEthi cha / sampaththou cha vipaththou cha sathAm Ekaiva rUpathA //