________________
NRTYARATNAKOS'A
[ 3
should be given as by Kalasena and that - a very careful examination of the position leaves no doubt that the author is definitely Mahārāṇā Kumbha of Mewar.1
Let us now examine the evidence supplied by the three Mss. of Nṛtyaratnakosa.
Ms. A. mentions Sri Kumbhakarna as the author of the work in each of the Parikṣaṇas as well as the Ullasas. In the body of the text also, Kumbhakarna is referred to.
Ms. B. also has identical references with one exception. At the end of the first Parikṣana of the first Ullasa, there is vacant space for about two lines. This is a bit surprising, because at the end of the other Parikṣaṇas and Ullasas, the space is completely written. A minute observation of the vacant space appears to suggest that some writing has been erased, probably for writing something else. May this not suggest that the person who wanted to change the name of the author from the colophons of the Ms. commenced his work by blotting out the old writing but for some reason or other could not finish his job?
Ms C. The position regarding the names of the author in the Ms. C. is as follows:
Ullasa I
در
ور
29
III
21
".
29
IV
19
Parikşana
I
2
3
4
I
2
3 4
I
2
3
4
I
2
Name of the author Kalasena
S'ri Kumbhakarna
21
Kālasena
S'ri Kumbhakarna
16
Kālasena
S'ri Kumbhakarna
Kālasena
S'ri Kumbhakarna
..
(1)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(3)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(4)
(9)
(10)
1. Sangitaraja Vol. I - Pathyaratnakos'a, Preface pp. XXII-XXIII. "Although the author is Kumbhakarna, still I must respect the manuscripts which formed the basis of this edition and I must accurately present the manuscript material. So I have given the work as by Kalasena and I have given the name of Kumbha. karna only in the Title page and that within brackets. "For a detailed discussion see pp.IXL-L.
