Swapnavasavadattam of Bhasa – English Translation October 28, 2009
Posted by bharateeya in Free Ebooks, Plays (नाटकानि), Sanskrit.Tags: bhasa, drama, free ebook, samskrit, samskritam, Sanskrit
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English translation of Swapnavasavadattam (The dream of Vasavadatta), a Sanskrit drama of six acts written by the ancient Indian poet Bhasa (3rd Century BCE).
It is based on the Brihatakatha of Gunadhya and is referred to in the Mahabharata. Bhasa stands preeminent for the boldness of his conception, insight into character and for his homely sparking style. He has written about thirteen plays of which the Svapna-Vasavadattam is reckoned as a masterpiece both in ancient Indian and modern criticism. Based on the well known love-tale of Udayana and Vasavadatta, Bhasa’s play abounds in dramatic excitement, suspense, surprise and humour.
Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadatta – Sanskrit Drama with English translation June 30, 2009
Posted by bharateeya in Free Ebooks, Plays (नाटकानि), Sanskrit.Tags: chanakya, mudrarakshas
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The Mudrarakshasa (“Signet Ring of the Rakshasa,the chief minister of the last Nanda king”), a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta (4th century CE) narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India with the aid of Chanakya, his Guru and chief minister.
Storyline: Chanakya, minister of the king Nanda (Dhana Nanda), allies himself with Chandragupta in the latter’s plans for usurpation and is forced out by the king. Chanakya’s pact with king Parvata from the Northwest ensures his victory over Nanda.
Parvata and Chandragupta divide up the old possessions of Nanda. Next, Parvata dies poisoned by a youth and his son Malayaketu succeeds him. Malayaketu, together with Rakshasa, the last minister of Nanda, demands the inheritance of all the old territories of the Nanda.
The drama begins when Malayaketu and his allies (the kings of Persia, Sind and Kashmir) are poised to attack Pataliputra (present day Patna), the capital of Chandragupta.
The outcome arrives when Chanakya, by the use of guile, manages to attract Rakshasa to the Maurya side, thus undoing the coalition of Malayaketu.
The historical authenticity of the Mudrarakshasa is somewhat supported by the description of this period of history in Classical Hellenistic sources: the violent rule of the Nanda, the usurpation of Chandragupta, the formation of the Maurya Empire, and the various battles with the kingdoms of the Northwest resulting from the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Mrichchakatika – English Translation of Sanskrit Play April 21, 2009
Posted by bharateeya in Free Ebooks, Plays (नाटकानि), Sanskrit.Tags: drama, ebook, free ebook, hindu, hinduism, literature, play, samskrit, Sanskrit, shudraka, sudraka
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Regarded as one of the earliest Indian plays written in Sanskrit, Mricchakatika (The Little Clay Cart) is a Sanskrit play written by Shudraka in the 2nd century BCE.
The main story is about a young man named Charudatta of Pataliputra (Patna), and his love for Vasantasena, a rich courtesan or nagarvadhu. The love affair is complicated by a royal courtier, who is also attracted to Vasantasena. The plot is further complicated by thieves and mistaken identities, thus making it a hilarious and entertaining play.
Malavikagnimitram of Kalidasa – English Translation April 21, 2009
Posted by bharateeya in Free Ebooks, Plays (नाटकानि), Sanskrit.Tags: drama, ebook, free ebook, hindu, hinduism, kalidasa, literature, play, samskrit, Sanskrit
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English Prose Translation of Malavikagnimitram, the first play composed by the great poet Kalidasa.
Often it is called Kalidasa Malavikagnimitram, as an honor to Kalidasa. This beautiful play of intrigue grips its readers and keeps them glued till the very end. The plot of the play is cleverly constructed and it revolves around the King Agnimitra’s love interest Malavika who is a maid in the royal palace.
Sakuntala of Kalidasa – English Translation April 18, 2009
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English Prose Translation of “Abhijnaana Saakuntalam of Kalidasa” by Sir Monier Williams (1819–1899).
The term Shakuntala means one who is brought up by birds (Shakun). There are references stating that Shakuntala was found by Rishi Kanva in forest as a baby surrounded by or as some believe being fed by birds, after being left by her mother, Menaka.
In Hindu mythology Sakuntala is the mother of Emperor Bharata and the wife of Dushyanta who was the founder of the Paurav Dynasty. Her story is told in the Mahabarata, Adi Parva and was dramatized by Kalidasa in his play Abhijnaana Saakuntalam (The Recognition of Sakuntala).
Kālidāsa is widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language. His place in Sanskrit literature is akin to that of Shakespeare in English. His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu mythology and philosophy.
E-text from: www.gutenberg.org
॥सा मे वसतु जिह्वाग्रे ब्रह्मरूपा सरस्वती॥
