Gaudavaho

Author(s): Vakpatiraj, Narhari Govind Suru, P L Vaidya, A N Upadhye, H C Bhayani
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 87

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are mere
The great poet Bhavabhūti, in whose foot-steps Vākpatirāja3 followed with the title of Kaviraja at the court of his patron Yasovarman, is also mentioned by him with great respect. "Whatever good things are still to be found in my poems", says the Poet, drops of nectar obtained by me, as they fell out from the ocean of Bhavabhuti ( his poetry "). The word 'ajjavi' (still) suggests that Bhavabhuti was not alive when Vākpatirāja wrote this Gāthā or when he wrote his big, voluminous (viada) Poem. "It appears clear that Vākpati had been in his youth, either a pupil or a personal admirer of Bhavabhūti, who was alive then but had died since, i.e. the Gaüdavaho was written after his death "3 Dr. Belvalkar observes: 'We are probably justified in concluding that Bhavabhuti's connection with the court of Yasovarman fell in the earlier part of that monarch's reign and that the dramatist was somewhat earlier than Vākpatirāja39".
The question arises: Among the past writers of repute, why has Vākpatirāja not mentioned famous poets like Bāṇa, Bhāravi, Māgha and even Pravarasena, the author of the Rāvanavaho (Setubandha), a Prakrit Mahakavya, on which is modelled his own Prakrit Poem, the Gaüdavaho? The omission is, no doubt, surprising and significant. While discussing this point, Prof. P. V. Kane remarks : "It is curious to note that while
37. Mirashi thinks that the relationship of Bhavabhūti with Vākpatirāja might have been that of a 'friend' philosopher and guide, 'from whom he obtained suggestions from time to time, as he read out his poetic writings to him. Mirashi-" Bhavabhuti '-P. 81. 38. Pandit- Gaüdavaho -Introduction, P. IXVI. 39. Belvalkar-Rama's Later History' P. XIVI