Sambodhi 2007 Vol 31

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 21

EDITIONS OF SANSKRIT DRAMAS
AND
THE PROBLEM OF PRAKRIT
RABINDRA KUMAR PANDA
When we are here to reflect on the problems and issues relating to the manuscript traditions of the Natyasāstra, Drama and stage performance, I thought it necessary to draw the attention of the scholars to a'pertinent problem that is seriously affecting the Sanskrit studies in general and the drama literature in particular. The problem is about the editions of the Sanskrit dramas. A cursory survey makes us aware of the fact that most of the Sanskrit dramas are just the Student- editions and they are not critical. Even the best of the dramas like the Mrcchakatika, Mālatīmādhava, Uttararāmacarita, Mudrārākṣasa, Veṇīsamhāra etc., are not available in the form of critical editions. Many scholars feel that they are to be critically edited as the texts are in need of improvement particularly in the Prakrit portions. The Prakrit portions in the Sanskrit dramas have created problems for the editions who have not taken serious interest to take care of the Prakrit language,
The question arises: Why is it so? Is it the reason that scholars are under the impression that manuscript material is completely exhausted.There is no availability of fresh material and attempts for preparing the critical editions of the prominent dramas will not produce any significant result. So we have to be therefore satisfied with the texts at present available with us.
Or is it the reason that we do neither feel the need of their critical editions nor their importance for the study of other aspects of Sanskrit literature?
Or is it a completely a missing point vanished from the minds of the
scholars?