Srngaramanjari Katha

Author(s): Bhojdev, Kalpalata K Munshi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Page 66

À CRITICAL APPRECIATION OF THE SMK
43
Another instance is the way in which Madhava punishes the 'mother' of Kuvalayāvalī. Even after draining him completely of his wealth and receiving his rich upper garment as a last gift they are not satisfied. They follow him and request him to hand over the last lower garment and thus denude himself. Madhava is then really irritated. He says he would hand it over after leaving the main road; then at a quiet place calling the bawd he throws her down and forcibly cuts off her ears and nose and says this token of remembrance will never be forgotten by them.
These instances provide humour which is obviously gross and almost of a farcical character, but is sometimes rendered grim by the nature of circumstances.
The pathetic element is found in the different stories dealing with the suffering of persons due to separation or death. For instance, Lāvanyasundari falls in love with Ratnadatta at the first sight. She follows him faithfully upto Mānyakheța. She experiences the pain of separation when Ratnadatta leaves her for three days at the house of Cittralekhā. To add insult to injury the king invites her to his place and per force she has to go. And on the fourth day, the day of the return of Ratnadatta, when the king calls her to dance, she goes against her wishes. On hearing of the return of Ratnadatta she runs home, but is disappointed. Ratnadatta is cold in attitude and taunts her and does not accept the services she desires to offer. It is indeed pathetic to read: "7902
रि पादौ मा प्राक्षीः । त्वं हि मम जननी भवसि"। सात साकतमवादीत-"रत्नदत्त किमेतत?" THEFFAT Gareta - "F44 rua? Fa FE HETHEFTT:, Hag, gia, fazuara " (p. 84).
Still more pathetic is Asokavati's repentance after having given way to her fancy and spent a night with Sundaraka in amorous pleasures. She cries out: fo Hågar. .....1191 fafeahl 3 दुर्लध्या हतविधेविलसितानां गतिरनतिक्रमणीयान्यवश्यंभाव्यान्यप्रतिविधेया नियतिर्यन्मदीय.. त्यनुरागस्यैवंविधा परिणतिः, तन्नियतमनुल्लंध्या भवितव्यता। तयाऽर्थलुब्धया पापकारिण्या नास्मि afaatati (p. 90). Her repentance was so sincere that Sundaraka was sorry for what he had done. And when Aśokavati died on hearing the false news about Chaddalaka's death Sundaraka felt he was responsible for it and put an end to his own life.
The sentiment of Wonder or Adbhuta rasa is best developed in the fifth tale of Devadattā. In order to please the king Devadatta narrates a wonderful experience of hers, of course imaginary, which the king however takes to be real. She says she was passing through the parade ground when she saw a handsome youth on a fine horse. He beckoned to her and she sat on the horse with him. The horse