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"Dasarūpaka-Vicăra"
1641 ekā’nkena kadācid bahūni kāryāni yojayed dhimān,
avaśyaka-a-virodhena
tatra kāryāni kāryāni. 22 This means that things that are directly displayed in an act should include acts of anger, favour, sorrow, release from curse, running away due to f the beginning of a miracle and its actual occurance etc. Incidents or activities that last for a full day should be presented in an act. This should be in consideration of the seed i.e. bīja of the dramatic theme. This means that all activities presented in an act should have a unity of time and unity of action. This performance should not obstruct the essential activities.
Here A.bh. observes that the maximum duration for the performance of an act should last a single day. 'āvaśyaka kārya' refers to taking meals, etc. for which both the actors and spectators must have enough free time. An intelligent (producer or playwright) may accomplish performance of many activities through one act but they should not hamper essential things.
NS. XVIII 23 suggests that all artists who enter the stage should leave the stage (by the end of the act) after performing action that is connected with the purpose of the seed : bījártha-yukti-yuktam krivā kāryam yathārtha-rasam.” This should harmonise with the object and rasa related to the seed.
Considering the nature (avasthā) of the day split up into moments (ksana), watches (yāma), and auspicious time (muhūrta, consisting of about twenty-four minutes), the plot should be suitably arranged in separate activities. This distribution should be spread in several acts. This means that all acts should display activities in consideration of the nature of the day.
Abhinavagupta observes : kşaņa-yāma-muhūrtānām yāni laksanāni kartavyāni, asmin ksane sandhyā anuştheyā iryādīni... tena eka-divasa-sampāditam upayogi cestitam anke badhnīyāt iti tātparyam.
Bharata observes that if some incidents could not be presented within the span of a day, the act should be brought to a close and the matter may be represented later through a praveśaka or interlude. If any character moves on a journey to a distant place, it could be conveyed through an intertude after closing the particular act.
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