Kaumudi Mitranand Rupakam

Author(s): Punyavijay
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Page 13

Dravyalankara, a work of logic contains three Prakasas. In Natya Darpana, he discusses 12 kinds of Rupakas namely, Nataka, Prakarana, Natika, Prakarani, Vyayoga, Samavakara, Bhana, Prahasana, Dima, Utsrishtikanka, Ihamriga and Vithi. In Natya Darpana he quotes from 63 works, out of which about 44 are dramas. This shows his vast reading and versatility. He has also referred to Svapna-Vasavadatta and Daridra Charudatta of Bhasa. He has also given extracts from Devi Chandra Gupta of Visakha Deva, the author of Mudrarakshasa. That drama is helpful in reconstructing the history of Chandragupta. In addition to this, he is the author of Kumara Vihar Sataka, Sudha Kalasa (An Anthology of Subhashita), Haima-Brihad-Vritti-Nyasa and several stotras. He is proud of his own poetry; he follows the Vaidarbhi style. His language is simple, sweet and full of prasada. The fact that he is the author of several dramas shows that at that time there was an appreciative audience for such dramas. He has taken material from folk lore, mythology, history etc. He has also brought in the element of miracle in his dramas. Among his contemporaries he stands out as one of the most celebrated author and poet. He is only next to his Guru, Hemachandra. About his death, Jain authors have given the following version: When Kumarapala became old, he first went to Hemachandra Suri, along with his Jain Minister Abhada to discuss as to who should succeed him as the next king. At that time, Ramachandra, Gunachandra, Balachandra, and other disciples were present. Hemachandra advised that Pratapamalla, the King's daughter's son, should succeed Kumarapala. While Minister Abhada suggested that Kumarapala's brother's son Ajaypala should succeed him. Balachandra was a friend of Ajaypala. He broke the confidence of his Guru and conveyed to Ajaypala that he was not favoured by Hemachandra. After some time, Hemachandra died. Ramachandra consoled Kumarapala who was sorry on account of Hemachandra's death. It is said that Ajaypala poisoned Kumarapala and came to Gadi. It is also further said that thereafter he took vengeance on Ramachandra who had sided with Hemachandra. It is said that he was made to sit on a heated Iron or Copper Seat, and thereby his death was caused. According to another version, Ramachandra composed Dodhaka Panchasati, while crushing his tongue by his teeth and died. Gunachandra was another disciple of Hemachandra. He is the coauthor with Ramachandra of Dravyalankar and Natyadarpana. Ramachandra was more versatile while Gunachandra preferred only serious subjects. Mahendra Suri was another disciple and he wrote Anekartha Kairavakara Kaumudi which is a commentary on Hemachandra's work and he wrote it in the name of Hemachandra. Another disciple Vardhamana Gani wrote a commentary of Kumara Vihara Prasasti. Devachandra wrote a drama called Chandralekha Vijaya Prakarana. Udayachandra and Yasaschandra were other disciples of Hemachandra Balachandra who broke the confidence of his Guru, is said to be responsible for Rama