________________
Jo.lola.
10-12.73
- PULA TWO PLAYS OF RĀMACANDRA : AN AESTHETIC STUDY
G. K. Bhat
Nirbhaya-Bhima-Vyāyoga
This one-act play* comes from the pen of the versatile Jaina writer who is reputed as an author of a hundred compositions. The play is built round an exploit of Bhima and dramatises the episode of the killing of the demon Baka by Bhima.
Ramacandra's sources is obviously the Mahabharata.! But as a drama. tist he had to shape the story a little differently to suit his dramatic design. It will be interesting to study the two versions to get an idea of the dramatist's art.
(i) The Baka-vadha episode in the epic occurs at a time when the Pandavas were living in hiding in the house of a Brahmin family in Ekacakrā city over which Baka had sway. The residents of the city had stipulated the surrender of one human being to serve the daily meal of the demon in order to prevent wholesale and indiscriminate slaughter of the human habitation 2
(ii) It is the turn of the Brabmin family to supply the daily victim and the household is distraught with the prospect of death. The Brahmin's wife pleads that she should be allowed to go to meet the demon. Then the daughter does so. The Brahmin's little son too picks up a blade of grass from the floor and says with the daring and innocence of a child that he will kill the demon with it.
(iii) As the debate in the Brahmia's house proceeds with uncertainty and indecision, Kunti, who had been listening to this tale of misery, decides to oblige the Brahmin io gratitude for the shelter and safety that he had given to the Pandavas. The Pņdava brothers are out at the moment for begging food, except Yudhişthira who had stayed with Kunti. She speaks to him about sending Bhima to the demon to fulfil the Brahmin's personal obligation, Yudhisthira opposes the idea. Kunti argues with him and convinces him that Bhima will certainly kill the demon and do a good turn to the family too.5
(iv) The Pandava brothers return. Bhima is told what he is to do. He collects the food willingly and goes out with it to meet the demon. This is the accepted practice to fulfil the demon's demand. The chosen Sambodhi 2.2
