Mallikamakarandanatakam

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

Page 24

Introduction
report this whole incident foreboding evil to Gandhamasika." Citrangada raises his sword and asks Makaranda to remember his ( favourite ) god. Makaranda remembers the feet of Lord Jina. Mallika addresses Citrangada first to kill her as she is the root-cause of the misfortune and stands stretching her neck before him. Just then Makanda arrives on the with a message from Gandhamusika. She reminds him of his latest vowfirst to present the person to be killed before the idol of the Jina and then kill him. Citrangada is sorry for the lapse and sends a message back: "You personally come and show the man (Makaranda) before the idol of the Jina." Gandhamusika arrives on the scene and scolds Citrangada for his shortsightedness, and assures him, speaking aside, "I shall myself kill Makaranda and persuade Mallika to love you." Citrangada regards this as a great favour and with his retinue he goes off the stage. Gandhamüsika asks Makanda to bring with him Makaranda (with his hands tied) and Mallika as well.
Prelude to Act VI: Makanda is simply amazed at Gandhamūşika's enmity to the innocent Makaranda, He is extremely sorry for Makaranda's fate. As directed by Gandhamuṣikā he handed over Makaranda to Vaisravana who, he understands, killed him with a sword in the Tamoguha (a cave full of darkness). He wishes to go and report the matter to Gandhamaṣikā that Vaisravana has accomplished the task which she had assigned to him. Just then he sees Tamarasa approaching. Tamarasa is bewildered at Mallika's about-turn. Forgetting her deep love for Makaranda and her hatred against Citrangada she nowadays propitiates Citrangada after inciting Candralekha and Gandhamūṣikā to kill Makaranda. He comes to know of Makaranda's fate from Makanda; says Makanda "Last mid-night in accordance with Gandhamaşika's orders I took Makaranda to Vaisravana, who stays at the Siddhayatana. That very mid-night Vaisravana took Makaranda to the Tamoguha and with a sword
..... He leaves the sentence half-said. Tamarasa blames Vaisravana as well as Gandhamüşika for the henious crime. Makanda insinuates that Gandhamuṣikā must have done it for money through Vaiśravaṇa, who, according to Tamarasa, has been Gandhamuşika's favourite as he is the husband of Manorama, her sister's daughter. Tamarasa then goes away to call Citrangada as ordered by Mallika; and Makanda too leaves the stage to report to Gandhamasika that the task assigned to Vaijravana has been duly carried out.
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Act VI: The main scene opens with the entry of Citrangada, Mallika and their retinue including Kapiñjala, Devalaka, and Magadhikā. Citrangada is curious to know how a clever girl like Mallika felt attracted towards an insignificant trader like Makaranda, leaving a Vidyadhara-prince like him. On her behalf Devalaka informs him that it was because Makaranda had bewitched her by the use of magic spells. Owing to his bewitchment,