Studies In Sanskrit Sahitya Shastra

Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology

Page 91

Sanskrit Sahityaśāstra
tinuous whereas prakarī6 of short duration. The definition of the prāsangika? given by the DR would lead us to believe that even the prakari has its 'svārtha' (own purpose). But the NS. emphatically states that it is ‘parārthāyaiva kevalam (meant to serve the purpose of the hero). The Abhi. and the ND. while distinguishing between the patākā and the prakarī, emphasize this aspect of the prakarī). According to them a patäkānāyaka is an ally of the hero helping towards the fruition of his aims but attaining some end of his own through the co-operation of the hero. A Prakarī, näyaka only helps the hero in some way.10 The NL. records as the view of some that patākā, in a broad sense, means the doings of the upanāyaka.11 These definitions of parākā excellently suit some cases, e.g., the account of Sugriva in Rāma-plays. In many cases, however, we notice a lot of confusion among the commentators as to what constitutes patākā in certain dramas. Visvanātha looks upon the doings of Bhima in the Veni, as patākā, the NL. regard's Karna-carita in the Veni. as patāka. The overthrow of Malayaketu in the Mudrārākşasa is considered by some as palākā. Bhima is looked upon, and rightly so, as the hero of the Veni, by many modern commentators. Karna and Malayaketu are no friends of the heroes in the two dramas--they actually side with their rivals. In such cases we have to extend the meaning of patākā so as to include the doings of the persons that even indirectly help the hero in attaining their goal.
The BP., however, says that the prāsangika is three-fold12 : 1 patākā, 2 prakarī and 3 patakästhānaka. Other authorities treat of patākasthānaka immediately after patākā with a remark like पताकाप्रसङ्गन पताकास्थानकं व्युत्पादयति । They do not call it a sub-division of the prāsangika, and rightly so. For a scrutiny of the definitions and examples of the varieties of the patākāsthānaka shows that it is nothing but a part of the adhikārika skilfully arranged so as to suit the particular context as well to foreshadow some important event connected with the main plot, whether immediate or distant.*
शोभायै वेदिकादीनां यथा पुष्पाक्षतादयः ।। as avacet qara gota | B. P. p. 202 7 gals" TIT FI F121 96 gaa: 1 p. 4. And patākā and prakari are but the sub-divisions of the prāsangika. 8 NS. XIX. 25. 9 उपकरणभूतो (हेतुः) द्विधा स्वार्थसिद्धियुतः परार्थसिद्धिपरः, परार्थसिद्धिपरश्च । पूर्वः पताका, अन्यः प्रकरीति ।
ND. pp. 41-42. 10 For example, the incident of Jațāyus in Rāma-plays. 11 अन्ये पताकेत्युपनायकचरितमेव स्थूलार्थमुपवर्णयन्ति ।...उपनायकेन नायकमुपकर्तु प्राधान्यमवलम्ब्य यत् क्रियते
1 9711 791 975 FEET 1999 atatafate raffia | NL, p. 9. 12 gifs fita AFI 9137 fa fari
qal#1995 911591764 17 | BP, p. 201. • We are overlooking the threefold classification of Itivytta into legendary, invented and mixed subjects, as it is not of importance to our purpose here.