Mruccha Katikam

Author(s): Sudraka, Prithvidhara, Hiranand Mulraja Sarma, Kashinath Pandurang Parab
Publisher: Tukaram Javaji

Page 11

THIS play, unlike those of Kâlidâsa and others, is named after a central incident [Act VI. p. 158.] in which Vasantasenâ, the heroine, fills with her jewels, the earthen-cart of Rohasena, the little son of Chârudatta, so that he may have the wished for golden-cart. The toy, testing the fidelity and sentiments of the heroine, becomes the source of unexpected troubles for the hero: it was these ornaments that served as positive proof of Chârudatta's guilt, the alleged murder of Vasantasenâ (act IX St. 31).
The title of the Play.
PREFACE.
The autobiographical account, inserted in the play, informs us that S'ûdraka, the regal bard, was the author of the Mricchakatika.* The authenticity of such statements is sometimes invalidated by the literary forgeries at times brought to light. Suspicion as to their genuineness is especially roused because of the occasional attribution of literary works to kings or dignitaries with a view to advantaget and also because sovereigns, particularly the warlike, are less prone to such undertakings. Accordingly the prologue of our play is generally discredited.
The author of the Drama.
2
S'ûdraka.
I translate from Le Theatre Indien (pp. 197-8) Professor Levi's remarks to indicate the references to References to king S'ûdraka. "The name S'ûdraka is as familiar to literature as it is strange to literary history. S'ûdraka like Vikramaditya is the hero of a vast cycle of stories. In the Kâdambarî he is said to have
* As a general rule, dramatic writers are required to describe their lineage etc. in the prologue. See Sâhityadarpana Sts. 280-84.
The Ratnâvali, for instance, is ascribed to Sriharsa by Dhâvaka.