Mruccha Katikam

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

Page 13

PREFACE.
mi
critics.
'The same eminent scholar has brought forward the theory Opinions
of that Dandin is the real author of the Mșic
of some occidental chakațika (Introduction to Säringâratilaka
pp. 14-19). These are his arguments.Tradition ascribes three famous works to Dandin.* Two
only are known. There is a remarkable R. Pischel. work, the Mricchakațika, whose author is
unknown. It has something in common with Dandin's compositions: the state of society depicted in it is the same as in the Das'akumâra and it has a verse (fogara aHis fato) that not only occurs but is discussed at some length in the Kâvyâdars'a in which Dandin used illustrations he himself constructed. Besides so old an authority as Pratihârendurâja attributes it to Dandin. Hence Dandin is the real author of the Msicchakațika.
I doubt the cogency of these remarks. The real author of the stanza (fogata. ) seems to be forgotten since different writers attribute it to different hands.f It seems to be one of the Subhâshitas with which the Hindus are accustomed to adorn their conversations. The assumption that the verse was composed by Dandin is vitiated by the latter himself. For he says "at faqqaraha:” etc.(Kâvyâdars'a II. 227.) i. e. some, because they sce here the word iva, believe that the figure, used, is upamâ. Obviously
farqrefers to Dandin's predecessors. The conclusion is further confirmed by the remarks 'jar... aetc. (ibid II. 223), for ġar alludes to a different hand. For these arguments the belief that the Mricchakatika was written by Dandin in his younger days and the Kâvyâdars'a in his old age and that the verse was quoted in the latter from the former can
* Cf. tutauerlagrant gareret gar:
प्रयो दण्डिप्रबन्धाश्च त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुताः ॥ i Vallabhadeva ascribes it to Vikramaditya; S'ârngadhara to both Meņtha and Vikramaditya, the commentators on the Kavyaprakâs'a to the author of the Mricchakatika.