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

Page 452

434 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE He is a Vidyadhara prince possessing great treasures. Candralekha is determined on marrying her own daughter, Mallika, to him. Mallika's repulsion for him and preference for Makaranda outrages his sense of importance for he believes that his position as Vidyadhara prince and his wealth entitle him to receive Mallika's love. He is no match for Mallika or Makaranda in wordy or verbal warfare. His threat of killing Makaranda to frighten Mallika into loving him and not "that contemptible man' miserably fails. He displays some practical, worldly wisdom when he speaks of 'the one-sided love and consequent mental torture', or when he says, "It is not correct or proper to use force when the desired object could be achieved by peace or negotiations". The fact however remains that he is not shrewd enough to see through the plot of Gandhamusika or judge men and women correctly. Candralekha, although she belongs to the class of semi-divine Vidyadharas, has all the attributes of a mortal being. Blinded by passion she enjoys the delights of love with a forester youth. She deserts her new-born daughter. Her improper conduct invites the wrath of her husband and parents and is disowned by them. She is bent on marrying her daughter to a very rich Vidyadhara prince. She tries every means-persuasion, punishment, threats but her daughter remains firm in her resolve to marry her man, Makaranda. She is hard-hearted and attempts to remove her daughter's lover from the scene by killing him but she fails in her attempt. She unabashedly invites Vaisravana to enjoy love's dalliance with her. Ultimately, when the young lovers are married she is forced to acquiesce in their marriage. Compared with Kalidasa's Parivrajika in Malavikagnimitra or Bhavabhuti's Kamandaki in Malatimadhava Gandhamusika pales into insignificance. Ramacandra depicts her as 'Prakarinayaka.' She is held in high esteem by Candralekha and the Vidyadhara-prince, Citrangada, the powerful suitor of Mallika. Manorama, wife of the merchant Vaisravana, who is extremely grateful to Makaranda for restoring the 'parrot' to his original form as Vaisravana propitiates Gandhamusika. At her request she agrees to bring about the union of Makaranda with Mallika. Apparently she takes upon herself the task of doing away with Makaranda and marrying Mallika to Citrangada but secretly devises a plot to get the lovers united. She succeeds in her plot. Candralekha and Citrangada have no option left but to acquiesce in the lovers' union. Mallika Makaranda : A Prakarana The 'Nataka' (heroic comedy) is the highest of the ten main forms or types of drama. 'Prakarana' (the bourgeois comedy, the social play) stands next to it