Sambodhi 1975 Vol 04

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 43

The Treatment of Suspense in Dhanapala's Tilakamanjarī
lioks in the story disclosed so far and to the solutions thereof, 88 and this in turn is meant to further enkindle the curiosity of the audience! And hardly would the audience remember that the mission entrusted by Vicitravirya to Citralekha to verify the identity of Gandhrvadtta, so has already been disclosed to them long back.90
The faint memories of Malayasundari slightly stirred at the sight of the temple of Mabavira at Ratnakūtai serve as a sort of dramatic irony, referring as it does to the fact that this temple was actually built by her previous birth as Priyamvadā.02 Similarly, the sight of the image of Mahā. vita arouses her longings regarding some beloved seen in past and it serves as an advance suggestion about her being the beloved of Sumalı during her former birth as Priyamvadā.04
The poet's consiousness as a narrator again comes to the surface when he assures us, through the words of Tāraka, that he has some plan ready • up his sleeves to bring about the union of Samaraketu with Malayasundary95
The poet is very much conscious, again, about the ingenious device of double-entendre based on meaning (artha-ślesa) employed in the invocation apparently addressed to the boat but actually meant for Malayasundrī,96 that he draws our attention to it four times,97 And as if not satisfied with this much, Dhanapala cleverly brings out the various good qualities that went into, and the purposes served by, the composition of the invocation.09
The dramatic irony is again utilized when Malayasundari somewhat sharply tells the son of the temple-priest that she would take to the principal jewel (also her beloved hero Samarketu) when the latter happens to come to Kancı.99 These same words have been repeated when Samaraketu relates his past experiences to Malayasundary.2.00
When Malayasundari swoons on finding that the princess accompanying her on the rampart of the temple at Ratoakūta bave suddenly disappeared, 102 the poet skillfully subordinates the incident of this disappearance to the effect of it on Malaysundari whose subconscious yearnings are thereby revealed. The audience does not know for certain whether Malayasundari was first made invisible to Samaraketu for a while,103 though even after that she was present there to witness the suicidal attempt of the love-lorn prince to drown himself, and she also followed suit there and then soon after 108 The poet seems to have deliberately kept certain facts uncleared in order to leave the audience guessing as is clear from the remarks of Malayasundar1.104
Future incidents are indicated by means of dramatic irony cuggesting the future marriage of Malayasundari with Samaraketu,105 and this serves to enhance our curiosity as to how the poet is going to manage this when he paade both these lovers drown themselves into the ocean.100 The poet Sambodhi 4.1