Mallikamakarandanatakam

Author(s): Ramchandra Mahakavi, Punyavijay
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 22

Introduction
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Kapiñjala tells him that Mallikā is deadly hostile to bim. Makaranda wishes to retire to the Saddhayatana. Kapiñjala reports to his master that the parrot is no longer to be found in the cage Citrangada is taken aback at this for he does not know how to face Candralekbā when the parrot has escaped from the custody. Just then Makaranda comes face to face with Citrāngada. Kapiñjala tells his master that it is Makaranda who is an obstacle in his path of love (to Mallikā). Citrängada and Makaranda get involved in a verbal contest. Citrāngada finally asks Karāla, bis servant, to seize Makaranda and take him to the camp. He himself (with Kapiñjala) proceeds to go to the hermitage of Gandhamūşikā. Thus they all exit.
Prelude to Act V : Manoramā is grateful to Makaranda for restoring her husband to her. She expresses her resolve to help achieve Makarnda's desired object (Mallikā with whom he has desparately fallen in love) even at the cost of her life. She decides to propitiate Gandha-musika and secure Mallikā for Makaranda through her favour. As she proceeds to go to meet Gandhamūşikā 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 Mallikā, who has been adstainig from taking food or drink (as a protest against her mother's attitude). Manoramā asks Devalaka why Mallika does not wish to marry Citrāngada, the Vidyādhara prince, who is handsome like Madana. Devalaka pities her ignorance of love's course. Manoramā finds fault with Citrāngada who wants to force his love on unwilling Mallikā. She comes to know from Devalaka that Mallikā is in the palace-garden. Devalaka goes away to call Citrāngada as directced by Candralekha; and Manoramā goes to see the revered Gandhamuşikā.
Act V: The main scene opens with the entry of Mallikā and Māgadbikā. Mallika wants to know how Makaranda fares. Māgadhikā, with the best of intentions, deliberately gives a false report about Makaranda just to keep her away from thoughts of death. Māgadhikā tries to persuade her to take food without bothering about the agony caused by the wicked, Mallikā 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 Candralekhā wants her to do. A voice from behind the scenes is heard “My beloved daughter, what is that desired thing"? It is Candralekhā, being aided by Tamarasa, who arrives and repeats the question. Mallikā (coolly) replies “My death". Candralekhā 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 Vidyādhara prince - all these good things she is ignoring for one fault of mine, viz. I separated her from that contemptible trader with whom she