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

Introduction [lxxxviii
It is touches like these¹ that tell us as much about the character of the
chamberlain as the two descriptions of it given by Kālidāsa (Śākuntala,
v. i; Vikramorvaśīya, iii. 1). In this connexion we may observe that
the poet is at pains to put in the mouth of each character words the
most appropriate. Thus Lava, pupil of the saint Vālmīki, speaks a
language that is tinged with religious learning (v. 31¹), just as the language
of Janaka is tinged with the philosophy for which he is so famous in the
Upanishads. Tamasā, the River-goddess, is full of similes drawn from her
experience in the water.² The two ascetic youths in the interlude to act iv,
Uttara-Rāma-charita, take a keen pleasure in logical discussions, attempting
to detect fallacies and draw subtle distinctions, just as students might have
done in the great mediaeval universities of India. Bhavabhūti has also
given us some very beautiful pictures of animals, investing them of course
with human feelings.³
48. Conclusion.—But it is hardly necessary to enumerate all such
merits one by one. Appreciative criticisms of this sort are more or less
subjective, and it is no longer the fashion for a translator or an editor
of an ancient text to take his reader by the button, stop him in front
of every picture, and ask him to admire it, and even to tell him how
he should admire it. If a modern reader, and especially a foreigner, is
given just the help necessary to understand the exact situation, and to get
from it the exact implication that was got by a Hindu of Bhavabhūti's
time who saw the play acted, that is all that can be expected in an edition
like this.
Once the preliminary ground has been cleared, and the needful informa-
tion given, the play can confidently be left to win its own conquests.
It will not lack readers. In India it has never lacked enthusiastic admirers.
Never, O never mayest Thou condemn me to sing my song unto
hearts that answer not!
Such was the prayer of an old Sanskrit poet. A deeper note was struck
by Bhavabhūti:
It may be that a spirit kindred to mine will some day be born;
for time is endless, and the world is wide!
¹ Cp. also our Note to U. R. C. iii. 26². iii. 43ᶜ; and iii. 48.
² Cp. U. R. C. iii. 13ᵈ; iii. 24; iii. 30; iii. 35ᵇ; ³ Cp. iii. 15 f. ; iii. 20 ff. ; iv. 1ᵃᵇ ; iv. 26 ; &c.