Srngaramanjari Katha

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

Page 73

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ŚRNGARAMANJARIKATHA
fully describes her as impatiently complaining at the advent of Spring. 'Ah, what is this new kind of Madhu (Spring, Wine) that even without smelling or tasting it, the minds of all the people become so intoxicated'.
Besides these, Virahini—the separated and the Mānini-- the proud—are mentioned. The Virahiņā is heart-broken in Spring, she becomes pale and her only ornaments are the lotuses. The Mānini loses her reserve in the moonlight and on rainy days. In Spring her pride is completely humbled by the sports of love.
Among the female aides mentioned are Vayasyā, Sakhi, Anucari, Prativesini and Dūti. Vayasyā is the same as Sakhi and Anucari She is a close friend of the Nāyikā and sometimes works as her Dūtī also. Bakulikā (in the sixth tale) is a loyal and sympathetic friend of Lāvanyasundari. She protects Lāvanyasundarī by dancing in her turn and herself goes in search of Ratnadatta twice. Sangamikā (first tale) goes to Ravidatta, speaks about Vinayavati's love and brings him to her.
The Prativesini is the neighbour, but she is also considered as an accomplice and used as a messenger by either the hero or the heroine.63 In SMK Nayaka Somadatta (seventh tale) stays at the house of Karpūrikā's Prativesinī. She is once again mentioned as Prātivesini (p. 83).
The Dūtī is the messenger. She is an expert at creating yearning in the hearts of lovers by reminding them of each other's merits. (97ETRIOTTERITTERSTOFFOCTATEArt gara) and in patching up love quarrels (प्रणयकलहकुपितासु कामिनीषु प्रसादनोपायचतुरदूतीव्यापारबहुलतामुपFerfra). All the accomplices work more or less as messengers. 64
These are the female accomplices of the nāyikās but there is no hard and fast rule fixing them with either the hero or the heroine. It often happens that an accomplice of one becomes the accomplice of the other as well.
Besides the female aides, some male characters who belong to the lower strata of society are mentioned. At the end of the work where Vişamaśīlā finishes her instructions to Śrngāramañjarī, she tells her that "you should behave in such a manner that you will not be looted by the vițas, danced about by the Dhūrtas, laughed at by the Vayasyas, tortured by the Kadaryas, enjoyed by the Bhujangas,
63. Bharata, Nātyaśāstra, 23, 9 calls her Prativesy, and enumerates her with the other female accomplices.
प्रतिवेश्या सखी दासी कुमारी कारुशिल्पिनी।
धात्री पाषण्डिनी चैव दत्यः स्त्रीक्षणिकास्तथा। 64. Bhoja in the 29th chapter of the SP. treats of forty-eight love conditions,
generally called Dūtasampresaņādi. In it we read of sandeśadana, nayakanayana etc. which correspond to the duties of the dutis referred to here.