Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

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428 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE Citrangada and Makaranda get involved in a verbal contest. Citrangada finally asks Karala, his servant, to seize, Makaranda and take him to the camp. He himself (with Kapinjala) proceeds to go to the hermitage of Gandhamusika. Thus they all exit. Prelude to Act V: Manorana is grateful to Makaranda for restoring her husband to her. She expresses her resolve to help achieve Makaranda's desired object (Mallika with whom he has desparately fallen in love) even at the cost of her life. She decides to propitiate Gandhamusika and secure Mallika for Makaranda through her favour. As she proceeds to go to meet Gandhamusika she sees Devalaka arriving. He does not at all like Candralekha's hateful attitude towards Makaranda nor her angry behaviour towards Mallika, her own daughter. He does not see any alternative but death for Mallika, who has been abstaining from taking food or drink (as a protest against her mother's attitude.) Manorama asks Devalaka why Mallika does not wish to marry Citrangada, the Vidyadhara prince, who is handsome like Madana. Devalaka pities her ignorance of love's course. Manorama finds fault with Citrangada who wants to force his love on unwilling Mallika. She comes to know from Devalaka that Mallika is in the Palace garden. Devalaka goes away to call Citrangada as directed by Candralekha; and Manorama goes to see the revered Gandhamusika. Act V: The main scene opens with the entry of Mallika and Magadhika. Mallika wants to know how Makaranda fares. Magadhika, with the best of intentions, deliberately gives a false report about Makaranda just to keep her away from thoughts of death. Magadhika tries to persuade her to take food without bothering about the agony caused by the wicked. Mallika replies that none is cruel (or wicked) to her but she is cruel (or wicked) to all; and that she is prepared to do what her mother Candralekha wants her to do. A voice from behind-the-scene is heard "My beloved daughter, what is that desired thing" ? It is Candralekha, being aided by Tamarasa, who arrives and repeats the question. Mallika (cooly) replies "My death". Candralekha is dejected to hear this. She says to Tamarasa : "I bore the foetus in my womb; I suffered the pains of child-birth : planning deliberately I deserted her in the vicinity of Brahmadatta's house : I have been doing these calculated efforts to marry her to the Vidyadhara prince all these good things she is ignoring for one fault of mine, viz. I separated her from that contemptible trader with whom she is in love." Tamarasa, speaking aside to Candralekha, suggests to her to give up (lit. slacken) her insistence on marrying her to Citrangada; for, if something untoward (or unlucky) happens to Mallika it is bound to give rise to a great scandal. Candralekha is not at all worried about new public scandals. Tamarasa tells her not to be so very harsh