Jain Journal 1979 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 42

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and is further amazed when his Vidusaka Kapinjala reports him that, Abhayaruci and Abhayamati were actually the children of his own sister who was the queen of the ruler of Malava. At the moment of reunion, love and repentence, it was also reported that Arya Sudatta, the Jaina saint had entered the city of Rajapura. The gloom of anxiety and violence was now dispelled by the purest light of ahimsā and the comprehension of the agony of beings.
JAIN JOURNAL
The story of Abhayaruci is certainly a lyric on non-violence and love and here one will experience a melody that echoes the distant voice of Neminatha and the plaintive tune of some past annals. The celebrated poet Jayadeva also tells in his immortal rhyme that Visnu manifested as the Buddha in one of his avataras to stop sacrifice of animals.
"You despised all the Veda where slaughter of cattle is taught As ritual, O you of merciful heart,
O Kesava, you in the form of the Buddha-
Be triumphant Hari, lord of the world!"
(From the Gita Govinda tr. by George Keyt)
Obviously, a drama like Abhayaruci has the sublimity of classic composition of bygone days when ballads on the greatness of man were sung by bards to listeners of all age. The drama pleads for the beatitude that may only be achieved through non-violence and love. The parts played by Sri Chandraprabha Kochar and Sm. Raj Sethia respectively as king Maridatta and his queen were impressive while the acting of Sm. Swapna Lunia as Kapinjala, the court-jester and that of Sm. Prem Bachhawat as Nipunika appeared fascinating within the scope of the play. Perhaps, the most striking performance was made by Sm. Vijaya Bachhawat as Abhayaruci and Sm. Sarita Sharma as Abhaymati. While Sm. Vijaya Bachhawat kindled life in her role with her voice conveying the noblest feelings of the Nirgrantha, the grace and sweetness of Abhayamati appealed the audience in moments of anxiety and confidence. Though still a child Sm. Sarita Sharma with her slender form and soft looks could lend colour to the ideal of chaste beauty before the backdrop of events as narrated in the tale of Abhayaruci. Among others who acted in the drama due credit may be given to Sm. Rajani Choraria who acted as Vira Bhairava and to Sm. Shashi Begani who acted as Vidyadharakanya Jambhala. The roles of Sm. Usha Gupta and Sm. Pramila Baid as the soldiers of king Maridatta and those of Sm. Laksmi Surana, Sm. Mina Sethia, Sm. Pramila Kochar and Sm. Sangita Bothra as citizens protesting against the action of the soldiers deserve praise for creating an atmosphere exuding the feelings of reality. The parts played by