Mallikamakarandanatakam

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

Page 23

14
Mallikāmakaranda
is in love." Tāmarasa, speaking aside to Candralekha, suggests to her to give up (lit. slacken ) her insistence on marying her to Citrāngada; for if something untoward (or unlucky) happens to Mallika it is bound to give rise to a great scandal. Candralekhā is not at all worried about new public scandals. Tāmarasa tells her not to be so very harsh to her own daughter. Candralekha tries to persuade her daughter to act as she (Candralekha, her mother ) desires. But she is very firm and tauntingly speaks to her mother. She goes to the length of referring to her misconduct (anācāra). Tamarasa scolds her for making a mention of her own mother's misconduct. He tries to impress on her to act to her mothers' desire. She is, however, firm in her resolve to marry Makaranda). Candralekhã thereupon tells Tamarasa to stop arguing with Mallikā and that Citrangada, her prospective husband, would do the rest to change her mind. A voice from behiod the scenes is heard : "What room is there for any doubt in the matter?” Knowing that Citrāngada is approaching Candra. lekha with Tamarasa leaves for an interview with Gandhamūşikā. Just then there arrives on the scene Citrāngada with his retinue including Kapiñjala. The dialogue between Citrāngada and Mallikā reveals the form. er's pathetic efforts to win Mallika's love and Mallika's deep love for Makaranda. Citrārgada then whispers something into Kapiñjala's ear. He goes off the stage. Citrāngada then angrily asks Mallikā : “what is your final decision''? She replies: “I shall marry Makaranda and Makaranda alone, and never you". Just at the moment, Makaranda, with his hands tied and dragged by hair, and Kapiñjala enter the stage. Makaranda says to Kapiñjala : “ Your master can deprive us-Mallika and Makaranda himself-of our life but not of our spontaneous bond of love''. Mallika is very much distressed to see her lover in that condition. Makaranda asks her not to lose heart. For her sake he is prepared to face any misfortune or calamity, Mallikā reaffirms her love for Makaranda in the presence of Citrāngada: "I shall secure Makaranda as my husband if not in this birth at least in the next birth. Kapinjala says to her: 'O good girl, you are simplehearted: All the beings in the world are born in various forms of existence in accordance with their good or evil deeds. So what relation possibly can be there of one being with another when they are born with different form and in different places in their future life ? So give up your obstinacy and accept the Vidyadhara prince as your husband and mounted in the celestial car (lit. lattice of the celestial car) enjoy the beautiful scenes presented by lovely rivers, oceans, mountains and islands.' Mallikā remains silent. Citrāngada asks Makaranda to give up his foolish obstinacy and not to court death at his hands. Makaranda replies ; “Kill me and marry this Mallika.” Citrāngada asks his man to bring a sword. A servant brings it for him. Mallikā, however, gets ready to be killed first. At this point Māgadhikä says: “I