Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

SR No.: 001609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 566
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, Literature, & Culture
File Size: 16 MB

Page 176

7. YASASTILAKA AS AN ANTHOLOGY OF SANSKRIT VERSE
with branching Aśoka creepers with camphor wood boards attached to the ends. Charming they are with canopies and banners of silk set with flower-shaped gems. Who is not delighted by the oscillation of the swings, the women adding their weight? During the sport, mouth comes near mouth; eyes meet eyes; the heart is enraptured at the contact of the partner's high projecting bosom; hands move close to hands; and legs are entwined with legs.' (3. 447, 458).
A bard named Śūnāsūkta recites a few verses (3. 462-464) describing to the king the Festival of Lights (dipotsava):
द्यूतोन्मादितकामिनी जितधृतप्राणेश चाटूत्कटः क्रीडद्वारविलासिनीजन भवद्भूषाविकल्पोन्नटः । आतोद्यध्वनिमङ्गलारवभरण्याजृम्भिताशामुखः प्रीतिं पूर्णमनोरथस्य भवतः पुष्यात् प्रदीपोत्सवः ॥ 'May the Festival of Lights bring delight to thee, whose desires are fulfilled! It is enlivened by the flattering words of lovers, defeated in gambling, and held fast by their mistresses, excited by the game. It is charming with the varied adornment of the courtesans, engaged in sports. The regions of the sky resound with the deep auspicious notes of instrumental music.' (3. 463).
The blessings of the goddess Aparajita are invoked on the occasion of the Mabanavami festival by a bard named Vijayajaitrayudha for the victory of the king on the battlefield (3. 459-61):
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ख खङ्गतनुस्थितिर्धनुषि च प्राप्ता धनुः संहतिं बाणे बाणवपुर्भुजे भुजमयी गात्रे तनुत्राकृतिः । संग्रामेऽप्रजयाय चिन्तितविधौ चिन्तामणिर्भूभुजां या सा स्यादपराजिता तव मुहुजैत्राय धान्रीपते ॥ 'May Aparajita contribute to thy victory oft and anon, o king! In the sword of kings she is incarnate as a Sword, and in their bow she assumes the shape of a Bow. She is incarnate as Arrow in their arrows and as Arm in their arms, and assumes the form of an armour round their bodies: she is as a Wishing Gem in fulfilling their desire for triumph in battles.' (3.459).
The blessings of Sarasvati are similarly invoked during the Purvaranga ceremony in the court theatre on the occasion of dance performances, and we have here a specimen hymn to Sarasvati recited on such occasions (3. 261-268):
स्वर्गेसदां वदनपद्मनिवास हंसी विद्याधरश्रवणमण्डनरत्त्ररेखा ।
भूवासमानसविभूषणहारयष्टिर्वाग्देवता नृप तवातनुतां हितानि ॥
संध्यासु प्रतिवासरं श्रुतिष्टतिर्बवा प्रणामाञ्जलिं योगस्वापमुपेत्य दुग्धजलधौ शेषाश्रितः श्रीपतिः । शंभुययति चाक्षसूत्रवलयं कृत्वा करेऽनन्यधीर्देवि स्वस्पदपङ्कजद्वयमिदं सर्वार्थकामप्रदम् ॥
May the Goddess of speech confer benefits on thee, o king! She is a swan abiding in the lotus mouths of the gods; a spray of jewels adorning the ears of the Vidyadharas; a pearlstring embellishing the minds of