महावीरचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - वीररस-प्रधान रामकथा नाटक सम्पूर्ण ७ अङ्क सटीक)

13] Synoptic Analysis of the Play
concern for him (vi. 29). Kuśa wonders why Lava, knowing the Rāmā-
yaṇa, should be surprised at Rāma's grief (vi. 30). If Rāma had hoped
to ask the boys about their parentage and learn something definite, all
his hopes were now at an end. The boys spoke of the hero of the
Rāmāyaṇa in the most unconcerned way imaginable. Rāma now asks
the boys to recite some stanzas from the Rāmāyaṇa (vi. 30³). Kuśa
(vi. 31, 32) and after him Lava (vi. 36) hit upon passages which
awaken the most painful memories in Rāma's mind (vi. 34, 37).
At this point a voice behind the curtain states that Vasiṣṭha, Vālmīki,
the Queen-mothers, Janaka, and Arundhatī, having heard of the fight
between the boys and anxious for their safety, are coming that way
(vi. 39). Rāma and the boys go away hurriedly to meet them (vi. 42³).
ACT VII. THE REUNION
TRANSLATION, PAGES 94–102.
In the interval between Acts vi and vii Rāma has met all the elders.
When their first grief had abated a little, all plied Vālmīki with questions
regarding Kuśa and Lava. Vālmīki, anticipating all this, has arranged to
have the Later History of Rāma enacted (play within play), in the sight of
gods and men, by the celestial nymphs trained by Bharata (cp. iv. 22³¹).
Scene 1 (vii. 0¹—vii. 20¹). An extensive open-air stage on the banks of the
Ganges, near Vālmīki's hermitage. Time: afternoon of the same day.
Enters Lakshmaṇa, who announces that the stage is ready and the
audience seated. Enters Rāma (vii. 1¹) who orders the players to
commence (vii. 1⁷).¹
Play within play, Prologue (vii. 1⁸—vii. 2¹). Enters Stage-manager,
who requests the audience to be graciously attentive to the play of
Vālmīki, 'the speaker of the Truth'. The lament of a woman is
heard from behind the curtain (vii. 1¹³ ᶠᶠ·). The Stage-manager
explains that it is Sītā, who, unable to bear the pangs, is throwing
herself into the Ganges (vii. 2). Exit Stage-manager.
Play within play, Scene 1 (vii. 2⁷—vii. 15¹⁰). Enters Sītā fainting,
supported by two Goddesses—Earth and the Ganges—each with
an infant in her lap. The Goddesses congratulate Sītā on the birth
of twin sons (vii. 3). Sītā inquires who they were, and on learning
¹ The play within the play which follows is rupt the course of this secondary play by
of the one-act kind known as prekshaṇaka. occasional remarks. For convenience the
The characters of the original play inter- inner play is here given all by itself.