Showing posts with label Naishadhacharita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Naishadhacharita. Show all posts

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Sāńkhya Philosophy in Naishadhacharita-Mahākāvya: Dr. Harekrishna Meher

Sāńkhya Philosophy in Naishadhacharita-Mahākāvya   
By : Dr. Harekrishna Meher
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Introduction :
Naishadhacharita of Śrīharsha enjoys a prominent position among the five great epics of Sanskrit literature. As a unique piece of literary art, this epic earns profound celebrity in view of its alliteration and grace of diction. Sanskrit scholars have paid much tribute to the poetic excellence of Śrīharsha that predominates the literary talent of poets such as Bhāravi and Māgha. Tradition also regards this epic as the panacea of the learned people. Literary works of the age, Śrīharsha flourished in, are very often marked with scholasticism. As a matter of fact, this epic in some verses appears to be critical. The poet himself remarks that he has deliberately done his composition stiff and not easily intelligible in order to pulverize the pride of some vain-glorious scholars of his time.

The main theme of Naishadha is the love-episode between Nala, the king of Nishadha land and Damayantī, the princess of Vidarbha. Besides its literary significance, this epic throws much light on different views of Indian philosophy. Poet Śrīharsha is a staunch philosopher of Advaita Vedānta and the author of the outstanding philosophical treatise “Khaņdana-Khaņda-Khādya”.
In his epic, the poet has not mentioned all the philosophical topics propounded by all the systems of Indian philosophy. In order to embellish the aesthetic stature of his literary work and to evince his philosophical proficiency, he has weighed very carefully several phases of almost all the philosophical schools, both heterodox and orthodox. The philosophical concepts without any sequence are found scattered in different chapters of the epic. In the concerned verses, philosophical thoughts are to be identified and analyzed. Very few references to Sāńkhya conceptions are found here. The poet has mainly adverted to the theory of causation, sacrificial slaughter and impurity along with the non-eternity of heaven. Now endeavours have been made here to discuss these views with their philosophical background.


Theory of Causation :  
The Sāńkhya doctrine of Causation asserts that effect exists in its material cause prior to its manifestation. An effect (kārya) is said to be existent (sat) in the cause before its revelation; and this view is known as Satkāryavāda (Theory of pre-existent effect) in contrast with Asatkāryavāda (Theory of not-pre-existent effect) upheld by Nyāya-Vaiśeshika philosophy.
In the Sāńkhya-Sūtra of Kapila, five arguments have been presented in establishing the theory of causation. Non-entity like man’s horn cannot be produced (1). It is implied that if effect does not pre-exist in its cause, then no effort of any agency can produce it and hence it would be a mere non-entity like flower of firmament or like hare’s horn. Causal principle is demonstrated in this regard. Effect is invariably related to its material cause (2). So effect cannot be causally connected with what does not exist. In support of this, it is maintained that all efforts are not capable of being produced from all everywhere and always (3). Only a potent cause can produce a capable effect and as such, effect must be potentially existent in its cause (4). In other words, effect exists in its material cause, as an unmanifested form prior to its manifestation. It is also asserted that effect has the nature of its cause (5). It implies that effect is not different from, but essentially identical with its material cause. Thus the theory of causation backed by the five arguments discussed above is identically described in Sāńkhya-Kārikā of Īśvarakŗshņa (6).

According to this doctrine, non-entity cannot be produced and entity cannot be barred. Instance of non-entity’s production is found nowhere and verily non-existent is never seen to be manifested anywhere (7). In this way, Sāńkhya system shows the invariable relation of effect with its material cause. Causation is a real transformation of the material cause and this theory leads to the concept of Prakŗti, the Primordial Matter, as the root-cause of the world.

An allusion to the Sāńkhya Theory of Causation is found in a verse of Naishadhacharita. The concerned verse is King Nala’s speech to the four gods, viz. Indra, Agni, Varuņa and Yama. Seeing the gods on the way to Damayantī’s ‘svayamvara’, Nala observes that gods are nectar-incarnate. As he opines, there is no difference between an effect and its cause; verily a person’s body is the product of food and his eyes are immersed in nectar by looking at the nectar-fed bodies of the gods (8).

Here it is contended that a person’s body is the outcome of food. Without food, body cannot be supported. Gods are traditionally known as nectar-eaters; therefore they are immortal. They are depicted as nectar-incarnate, because their bodily forms are but nectar that they drink. Nārāyaņa, the eminent commentator of the Naishadha epic, explains the semblance between cause and effect with an illustration of ear-ring made of gold (9). Just as a gold ear-ring, which is the effect of gold, is nothing but gold in a particular structure or design, the body, which is the product of food, is not different from food. In the concerned verse, while Nala glances at the gods, his eyes get immersed in ambrosia. It suggests that his eyes enjoy a great rapture by seeing the nectar-fed bodies of the gods. Here nectar is the cause and the nectar-fed body is its effect. Nectar-fed body is the real transformation or modification of nectar. As curd is essentially not different from milk, or cloth from threads, or oil from oil-seeds, no real difference is found between the cause and its effect. What we call difference is superficial. Such is the case in the present context of the epic. Thus the concept of transformation (pariņāmavāda) of the Sāńkhya theory of pre-existent effect has been given a place of recognition in the epic of Śrīharsha.

Sacrificial Slaughter and Impurity : 

Sāńkhya system in its every aspect sticks to non-violence and finds fault with the Vedic sacrifices. The Vedic scripture enjoins that one desirous of heaven should perform sacrifice (10). Several items are functioned in a sacrificial rite. Various injunctive rules employ special oblations like butter, Soma juice, Purodāsa cake etc. meant for particular deities. Certain animals are also prescribed to be offered as oblations in some sacrifices like Aśvamedha and Gomedha. It is ordained that one should offer (kill) an animal meant for Agni and Soma (11). The Sāńkhya philosophy advocates that the Vedic sacrifice incurs vice and impurity caused by slaying animate beings as oblations.

Such a view of Sāńkhya school is reflected in the Naishadhacharita. The concerned verse is Nala’s speech to Damayantī in the context of portraying lunar beauty. Moon is compared with sacrifice (ijyā). The orb of Moon with its repository of nectar meant for the enjoyment of gods is pure like a sacrifice; but the same Moon has a defiled limb, i.e. stain, just as the sacrifice has an impure phase, i. e. animal-slaughter (12). Here some words are imbued with literary pun in the concerned verse. The circle (maņđalī) of Moon is said to be replenished with nectar-rays and it is fair (śuddhā), just as a sacrifice is depicted to be pure (śuddhā). The poet has wisely used the word ‘deva-vraja-bhojya-ŗddhih’. In case of sacrifice, it implies that various oblations like Soma juice and Purodāśa etc. are offered to the gods. As such, sacrifice is enriched with ritual offerings edible by the gods. Similarly, the moon-circle has prosperity with the rays of ambrosia to be enjoyed by the deities. Besides, sacrifice has a ritual portion, i.e. vice, (himsā) in the form of animal-slaughter which is just like a stain. The moon-circle similarly bears within itself a limb, a stain (kalańka). In other words, sacrifice is pure and prolific for the well-being of the performer, yet it has a blemish, i.e. vicious animal-slaying as a part of its own. In the like manner, the moon-circle is fair by its charm; yet it is contaminated by a stain in itself. Such is the resemblance between the moon-circle and the sacrifice aptly exhibited through a philosophical simile with identical feminine gender in both the subject of comparison and the standard of comparison.

Non-eternity of Heaven : 

Sacrificial performance leads to heaven as its sublime achievement. Heaven is regarded as the abode of happiness, not intermingled with sorrow, not inclined to decay and easily attainable by wish. The Sāńkhya system holds that besides impurity caused by animal-slaughter, deterioration and gradation are ascribed to the Vedic sacrifices. The Sāńkhya-Sūtra asserts that by means of the Vedic performances, the supreme goal, i.e. liberation or absolute annihilation of pain, cannot be attained; for the sacrificial acts yield non-eternal fruits like heaven, and there is possibility of again coming back to the mortal world after the abatement of merits (13). The Gītā also declares the same view (14). Referring to the gradation of sacrificial fruits such as sovereignty and heaven, Vāchaspati, the renowned commentator of Sāńkhya-Kārikā, opines that dignity of one’s opulence dejects the other having less wealth and hence heaven cannot be an abode replete with pleasure (15). In this way, heavenly pleasure as the fruit of sacrifice is impermanent and subservient to deterioration.

Such a concept pertaining to heaven is reflected in the Naishadhacharita. Princess Damayantī is inclined to Nala, Lord of earth, and so she rejects Indra, Lord of heaven. She indicates some shortcomings of heavenly pleasure and declines to choose Indra as her life-companion. The concerned verses are her reply to the alluring statement of Indra’s female messenger. It is maintained that the performers of sacrifices ascend heaven by virtue of their merits and again come down to the earth on the expiry of their merits by enjoyment of fruits. Thus scrutinizing the two characteristic features of heaven and earth, the ultimate consequence of the two appears to be two sorts of ‘śarkarā’ (16). A pun is found in the word ‘śarkarā’ which implies both gravel and candied sugar. In the present case, the celestial fruit, as it tends to descent is just like dry gravel, and the terrestrial fruit, as it aims at ascent, is like tasteful candied sugar. Here earth is described to be a better place than heaven. Non-eternity of heavenly happiness is also displayed. Heaven is attainable, when somebody’s life is entirely exhausted. Therefore attainment of heaven is quite impossible as long as life exists in the world of the mortal beings.

In the present epic, again it is maintained that after death when someone reaches heaven, it does not wait even for a moment. When merit of the enjoyer of heaven totally expires, he becomes an object of descent from it. As such heaven inclines towards superficial pleasure and appears like an unwholesome food. Therefore no wise man cherishes his yearning for heaven (17). Here empyrean enjoyment described as distasteful like unpalatable diet, as it is superficially charming for the time being and not good in the long run. So heaven cannot be a dwelling place of absolute happiness. Considering on this, Damayantī declines to choose Indra as her husband and does not express any craving for the heaven. The single-minded princess is keenly devoted to Nala alone, the lord of earth. Though heaven as the fruit of the sacrifice welcomes sacrificer, yet it bears a fascinating feature for some time. The sacrificers, in course of time, after enjoying the heavenly pleasure, return to the world of mortals on the attenuation of their merits. So taking resort to action with enchanting purpose enjoined by the Vedas, the sacrificers repeatedly come and go in the cycle of their lives. In describing the nature of heaven, poet Śrīharsha happens to be influenced by the conceptions of Gītā also.

Conclusion : 

Referring to the Sāńkhya philosophy, thus the poet has mainly touched upon the ‘pariņamavāda’ of the theory of causation, sacrificial impurity and transitoriness of heavenly joys. From these perspectives, it may be ascertained that the philosophical conceptions inserted into the literature have not belittled the literary value; rather it has been enhanced, since they have been contextually and befittingly utilized as different figures of speech without causing any levity of meaning in the epical work. Though the poet is a great devotee of Vedantic Monism and has some original contributions to the Vedānta philosophy, he has probed into some salient aspects of different philosophical thoughts and has endeavoured to establish the Vedantic views even in the literature. Such is the unfailing dexterity of poet Śrīharsha in poetic erudition corroborated with philosophical deliberations.
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Foot-notes :  
(1) Nāsadutpādo nŗśŗńgavat (Sāńkhya-Sūtra, 1/114)
(2) Upādāna-niyamāt (ibid. 1/115)
(3) Sarvatra sarvadā sarvāsambhavāt (ibid. 1/116)
(4) Śaktasya śakya-karaņāt (ibid. 1/117)
(5) Kāraņa-bhāvāccha (ibid. 1/118)
(6) Asad akaraņād upādāna-grahaņāt sarva-sambhavābhāvāt /
Śaktasya śakya-karaņāt Kāraņa-bhāvāccha sat kāryam //
(Sāńkhya-Kārikā, 9)
(7) Vāchaspati’s Tattva-kaumudī on Sāńkhya-Kārikā, 9.

(8) Nāsti janya-janaka-vyatibhedah
Satyam anna-janito jana-dehah /
Vīkshya vah khalu tanūm amŗtabham
Dŗń-nimajjanam upaiti sudhāyām // (Naishadha, 5/94)

(9) Nārāyaņa’s comm. on ibid.
(10) Svargakāmo yajeta. (Tāņđya-Mahābrāhmaņa, 16/3/3)
(11) Agnishomīyam paśum ālabheta. (Aitareya Āraņyaka, 6/13)

(12) Ijyeva deva-vraja-bhojya-ŗddhih
Śuddhā sudhā-dīdhiti-maņđalīyam /
Himsā yathā saiva tathāńgameshā
Kalańkamekam malinam bibharti // (Naishadha, 22/74)

(13) Nānuśravikād api tatsiddhih sādhyatvenāvŗtti-yogād apurushārthatvam.
(Sāńkhya-Sūtra, 1/82)

(14) Te tam bhuktvā svarga-lokam viśālam
Kshīņe puņye martya-lokam viśanti /
Evam trayī-dharmam anuprapannā
Gatāgatam kama-kamā labhante // (Gītā, 9/21)

(15) Tattva-kaumudī on Sāńkhya-Kārikā-2.

(16) Sadhorapi svah khalu gāmitadho
Gamī sa tu svargamitah prayāņe /
Ityāyatī chintayato hŗdi dve
Dvayor udarkah kimu śarkare na // (Naishadha, 6/99)

(17) Prakshīņa evayushi karma-kŗshţe
Narānna tishţhatyupatishţhate yah /
Bubhukshate nākam apathya-kalpam
Dhīrāstam āpāta-sukhonmukham kah // (Naishadha, 6/100)
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Reference Books : 
1. Naishadhīya-charitam (with Nārāyaņa’s Commentary)
Nirnaya Sagar Press, Bombay, 1952.

2. ‘Philosophical Reflections in the Naisadhacarita’
By : Dr. Harekrishna Meher,
Punthi Pustak, Bidhan Sarani, Calcutta-4, 1989.

3. Naishadhacharita of Śrīharsha, By : Prof. K.K. Handiqui,
Deccan College, PG Research Institute, Poona, 1965.

4. Naishadha Pariśīlan, By : Dr. Chandika Prasad Shukla,
Hindustani Academy, Allahabad, U. P. 1960.

5. Sarva-Darśana-Sańgraha of Mādhavāchārya
Ed. U.S. Sharma, Chowkhamba Vidya Bhavan, Varanasi, 1964.

6. A History of Indian Philosophy, By : S.N. Dasgupta,
Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1975.

7. Sāńkhya -Darśana
(with Sāńkhya-Pravachana-Bhāshya of Vijñanabhikshu / Kapila),
Ed. Dr. R. S. Bhattacharya, Bharatiya Vidya Prakashan, Varanasi, 1966.

8. Sāńkhya-Kārikā of Īśvarakŗshņa,
Ed. V.P.Sharma, Chowkhamba Vidya Bhavan, Varanasi, 1970.

9. Sāńkhya-TattvaKaumudī of Vāchaspati Miśra,
Ed. Dr. A.P.Mishra, Prem Prakashan, Allahabad, 1973.

10. Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā, Ed. J.D.Goyandka
Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, 1969.
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This Article is a Portion of Ph.D. Thesis 
‘Philosophical Reflections in the Naishadhacharita’
of Dr. Harekrishna Meher 
(Done in Banaras Hindu University in 1981) 
Published by Punthi Pustak, Calcutta in 1989.
*
(Research Paper entitled :
 “Sankhya Doctrines in the Naishadha-Mahakavya of Sriharsha.”
Presented by Dr. Harekrishna Meher
in 10th World Sanskrit Conference held in Taralabalu Kendra,
Bangalore, Karnataka, India, during 3-9 January 1997).
*
(Copyright Reserved By the Author Dr. Harekrishna Meher)  
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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Reference to Naishadhacharita (Ph.D. Thesis): Dr. Harekrishna Meher

(Ph.D. Thesis done in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in 1981).

“PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS IN THE NAISADHACARITA”   
By : Dr. HAREKRISHNA MEHER
Published by : Punthi Pustak, 136 / 4B, Bidhan Sarani, Calcutta-4,
First Edition 1989, ISBN: 81-85094-21-7.
(Copyright Reserved by Author.)
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Reference to Naishadhacharita (As available till today)

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* Musepaper : Poet Sriharsha is a deep-delved philosopher.
http://themusepaper.blogspot.com/2007/10/poet-sriharsa-is-deep-delved.html

* Delhi University M.A. Sanskrit Syllabus ( Paper - 103 , Ref. Book, Naisadha) :
http://web.du.ac.in/course/syllabi/M.A.%20_Sanskrit_%20syllabi-09.pdf
(Meher, Harekrishna - Philosophical Reflections in the Naisadhacarita,
Punthi-Pustak, Calcutta, 1989)
*
http://www.eurobuch.com/buecher/isbn/8185094217/Harekrishna-Meher-Philosophical-reflections-in-the-Naisadhacarita.html
*http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20996039&referer=brief_results
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*[University of Michigan] : http://books.google.com/books?id=uZILbL3QGkIC&q=philosophical+reflections+in+the+naisadhacarita&dq=philosophical+reflections+in+the+naisadhacarita&ei=evB4SOKmLo2AsgPXvuzfBw&pgis=1

(National Library of Australia) :
http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Search/Home?lookfor=author:%22Mehera,%20Harekrshna%22&iknowwhatimean=1
http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1772019
* *

Monday, July 7, 2008

Naishadhacharita (Canto-IX): Oriya Metrical Translation: Dr. Harekrishna Meher

Naishadhacharita (Canto-IX)   
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Original Sanskrit Epic Poem By : Poet Sriharsha   
Oriya Metrical Translation By : Dr. Harekrishna Meher      
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Introduction : 

Naishadhacharita of Poet Sriharsha (12th Century A.D.) is one among the five great epics of Sanskrit Literature. This mahakavya contains 22 Cantos with 2827 verses. The main theme of this epic is the love-story of King Nala and Princess Damayanti. The story is based on the Nala-Damayanti-epiosode depicted in Mahabharata of Vyasadeva. The author of Naishadha Mahakavya has contextually remodelled the story with the original touch of his poetic calibre and scholarly dexterity in many scriptures.

King Nala is very popular for his auspicious glory. As the king of Nishadha land, he is known as .'Naishadha'. As the son of King Virasena, he is also known as 'Vairaseni'. Princess Damayanti is the daughter of Bhima, the King of Vidarbha country and after the name of her father she is known as 'Bhaimi'. As she hails from Vidarbha', she is popular as 'Vaidarbhi'.

Hearing the virtues and glory of Nala from several envoys and Brahmins, Damayanti becomes attracted with love towards him. Though directly not seen by her till now, Nala is worshipped as the deity of her heart. She becomes very anxious to possess him as her husband. Hearing about Damayanti's enchanting beauty, wise personality and various noble qualities, Nala also becomes similarly attracted towards her.

Once wandering in the pleasure-garden, Nala sees a marvellous golden swan near the swimming pool. Slowly and forcibly caught by him, the swan mourns and modestly prays for liberty. With a sympathetic heart, Nala quits the swan free. In heartiest gratitude, the swan promises to repay him in future for this noble deed. By the way, the swan becomes the most faithful mediator for enhancing love affairs between Nala and Damayanti. Knowing about the noble virtues of Nala from the swan, Damayanti becomes very much worried to obtain him as her life-companion. Therefore her father King Bhima, in his capital city Kundina, makes arrangements for her 'swayamvara', the function of choosing husband by the girl herself.

Intimated about of Damayanti's 'swayamvara' and encouraged by the divine sage Narada, Indra, the Lord of heaven, expresses his curiosity and gets prepared along with the three gods, namely, Agni, Varuna and Yama to attend the 'swayamvara' as a candidate for her. Indra promptly sends a lady messenger to deliver his message to the princess.

On this side, Nala proceeds to attend the 'svyamvara'. On the way, the afore-said four Protectors of Directions (Dik-Pala), Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, express their wit observing the charm of Nala. They think, if the princess offers garland to Nala, their journey would go in vain. Hence after meeting Nala, they make him promise truly and request him to be their messenger to give love-message to the princess. Nala at first becomes embarrassed at this matter ; but as a noble king, true to his words, agrees to be the messenger of these four gods. They gladly give him the power to be invisible. How wonderful is the decree of the Creator ! King Nala, who as the keen lover of the princess, proceeds to her 'svayamvara' with a hope of being garlanded, now engaged as the messenger of gods, goes to the city to deliver their love-message to the same beloved.

Ascending in the capital city of Vidarbha, King Nala, by virtue of the power of invisibility given as a boon by the gods, reaches inside the harem of the princess. Causing surprise for the damsels of harem, he appears visible by them and gives own identity as the messenger of gods. As there is no previous direct contact, the princess cannot recognize Nala immediately. But as she is aquainted with the photo of Nala, she observes the similarity in this (pseudo-messenger) Nala and becomes enchanted with his attactive figure and comeliness.

In the same harem, Nala hears the message of Indra's lady messenger who tries to generate love of princess towards Indra with a hope to offer garland to the lord of heaven. But solely dedicated to King Nala, the princess does not accede to the proposal for Indra and confirms her garlanding for Nala.

After the exit of Indra's lady messenger, Nala, the pseudo-figured messenger of gods, delivers before the princess the love-message of the four gods and informs her about their attending the 'svayamvara'. Describing the virtues of the four gods, he further requests her to offer garland to any of them as she wishes.

After listening to the message of gods from Nala (still unknown as King Nala in her sight), the princess rejects the request for gods and expresses her dedicated love and devotion for Nala, the King of Nishadha country.
From this context, here begins Canto-IX of Naishadha Mahakavya.

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Theme of Canto-IX : 

In the beginning, princess Damayanti curiously and emphatically enquires about the identity of Nala, who is present as a messenger before her. Nala witfully avoids the matter and as a dutiful messenger repeatedly convinces her to offer garland to any of the four gods, Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, of her choice. So he describes the glories of every god. In the mouth of own girl-friend and herself also, the princess asks and answers to the matters questioned by Nala. Several arguments and counter-arguments appear in their conversations. Princess confirms that if she does not obtain King Nala as her husband, she would commit suicide either fixing noose for hanging, or by entering into fire, or by diving into deep waters, or by other means such as taking poison etc.

With witful arguments, the pseudo-messenger Nala confirms that even if she desires to commit suicide, she is bound to automatically accept one of the gods. If she loses own life by hanging, she would reach the state of sky and the lord of heavenly region is Indra. If she burns her body in fire, she at her own wish offers herself to god Agni. If she enters into the waters, she offers herself to the water-god Varuna. Lastly if she dies by taking poison etc. she would directly reach the dominion under the jurisdiction of Yama, the god of death. So there is no way out at the consequence.

Hearing such words and other contextual arguments of Nala, she pathetically bemoans a lot expressing her love for King Nala. Now the very Nala, overwhelmed with the love and dedication of the princess, forgets own duty of the messenger of gods, and as the sole lover of the princess, discloses his identity and passionately addresses her with loving words.

When his delusion vanishes, he sees that the princess is in previous normal condition. He becomes conscious that his secrecy is disclosed. So with repentance, he becomes perplexed about the negligence of his duty as the messenger of gods. He fears that knowing the matters, the gods might punish him.

Further as he thinks, social prestige would be hampered due to faithlessness towards the duty of gods. In this crucial situation, the golden Swan, the faithful mediator of his love, appears before him and gives consolation that he has no fault in this matter, as he has sincerely performed the duty without any deceit. The Swan requests him to accept Damayanti's love and marry her so that she would not lose her life.

After departure of the Swan, Nala internally pays homage to the gods and during conversations expresses his acceptance. Damayanti, exhilarated on this matter, solicits his presence in the 'svayamvara' function and gives farewell to her would-be-husband. Nala approaches before the gods and shamefully confesses and truly explains all about the incidents of his messengership. Thus ends the Canto-IX with 160 verses.
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Extracts of My Oriya Metrical Translation    

of Naishadhacharita Canto-IX     
are presented here from published work.
Published in 'Bartika', Literary Quarterly, Dasahara Special,
October-December 2000, Dasarathapur, Jajpur, Orissa.

* * * * * 

नैषध-चरित (नवम-सर्ग) 
मूल संस्कृत महाकाव्य : महाकवि-श्रीहर्ष
ओड़िआ पद्यानुवाद : डा. हरेकृष्ण मेहेर

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = 


[१८]
'करिब 
नाहिँ गो !      सार्थक तुमे
मो परिश्रम एतिकि ?
बरिब 
नाहिँ कि       स्वेच्छारे केउँ
ईप्सित आशा-पतिकि ?
तुमरि बदनुँ             
 रस-पीयूष-
सिक्त पाबन उक्तिमान,
करिब निश्‍चे          बासबादि सुर-
चतुष्टयर तुष्टि दान ॥
*
[१९]
तुमरि सरस               सन्देशमय
अमिय बाक्य एपरि, 

पेषिब नाहिँ कि        देबगण पाशे
मुख माध्यमे मोहरि ?
सुर-अन्तर                 सन्तापभरा
होइछि मदन-सन्दीपने,
स्निग्ध ए बाणी           बृष्टि साजिब
घोर दाबाग्नि- दग्ध बने ॥
*
[२०]
तब अबहेळा          आचरण य़ोगुँ
एबे सम्मुखे तुमर,
हेउअछि य़ेते             य़ेते बिलम्ब
निमेष बेळ बि मोहर ।
कोपे देबगण-               बक्षरे तेणे
लक्ष्य भेदने निश्‍चे जाण,
हेउथिब सेते               सेते चञ्चळ
धनु आमञ्चि पञ्चबाण ॥
*
[२१]
बज्रे रचित               नुह‍इ कि सते
इन्द्र-नयन-निचय ?
चाहिँ रहिथिबे             मार्ग मोहरि
दीर्घ एतेक समय ।
गुण नाहिँ तिळे          मात्र मो ठारे
बहिबार लागि पर बारता,
धिक धिक मोते,      अचिर-कार्य़्य-
पन्थारे मोर मन्थरता ॥'
**
[२६]
" करुणा बशे बि         केउँ परकारे
सन्देश बाणी एसने,
स्फुरिला मर्त्त्य-       नारी निमित्त
देबबृन्दर बदने ?
स्वभाब-भक्ति-        बिनय-य़ुक्त
ब्यक्ति सकाशे प्रभुगणर,
हृदयुँ न बहे              सेनेह बशरे
केउँ भाषारे बा हर्ष-झर ?
*
[२७]
पुरन्दर त                      केते सुन्दरी
अमर-रमणी-शोभित,
मो य़ोगुँ ताङ्क                एड़े उपहास
आहा ! केउँपरि उचित ?
मराळ-माळार                रम्य आभारे
ह्रद होइथाए हृदय-लोभा,
बळाका किभळि        निज छबि बळे
बिकाशिब तहिँ दिब्य शोभा ?
*
[२८]
   अमराङ्‍गना-               बृन्द आगरे   

कह त किए बा मानबी ?    
बहिपारे सिना          देबी-हीन भूमे
से बि रमणीय सुछबि ।
बित्त-हीनर                  नारी-अङ्गरे
न थिले भूषण स्वर्ण-सार,
चित्त हरण             करि न थाए कि
पित्तळमय अळङ्कार ?"
*
[३४]
"बळिछि मो भळि      मानबी पाशरे
मानस अमर-गणर,
मो ठारे ताङ्क             हेला ए निश्‍चे
कृपा-परकाश मातर ।
हृदे ताङ्करि               मोहरि कारणे
सुकरुणा य़दि हुए उदित,
सुर-परसादे            पूरु मो मागुणि
लभिबि मो नळ अभीप्सित ॥
*
[३५]
अमर-दूत हे !           शुणिथाअ पुणि
मोहरि अटळ ए पण,
निषध-नरेश             नळ य़दि मोर
निषेधिबे पाणि-ग्रहण ।
तेबे अनळे बा             ऊर्द्ध्वे छन्दि
अबा घोर जळे झासि अचिर,
बैर आचरि               करिबि आत्म-
हत्या एइ मो सत्य गिर ॥
*
[३६]
बिहित कर्म                य़हिँ सबुमते
बिपदुँ रखि न पार‍इ,
किछि बर्जित            कार्य़्य करिबा
तहिँ अनुचित नुह‍इ ।
सान्द्र सलिळ             य़ोगुँ राजपथ
पिच्छिळ हेले उद्‍बेगरे,
ताहा तेजि केबे           केबे चळन्ति
सुधी-बर्ग बि अमार्गरे ॥"
*
[३९]
"अनुरागे सुर-            गण अछन्ति
तुमरे मानस बळाइ,
ए त कौतुक-           बिषय तुमे य़े
बसिअछ मुहँ फेराइ ।
कि स‍उभाग्ये        आपणार आगे
आसिले बिपुळ गुप्त धन,
मना करे किळि       बचन-कबाट
मञ्चे के अबा अकिञ्चन ?
*
[४१]
मर्त्त्य लोकर            मानबी न करे
स्वर्ग अमरे कामना,
तुम बदनुँ त             नूतन कथा ए
श्रबण कलि गो सुमना !
कह त दुष्ट                      ग्रहर रिष्ट
रहिछि तुमरि कि परकार ?
कल्याणागार           गुरु थाउँ थाउँ
दुनिआरे ताहा दुर्निबार ?
*
[४२]
देबता-गणर            करुणारु एका
मर्त्त्य-भुबन मानब,
लभे देबत्व,                सदा परिहरि
पर्थिब गुण सरब ।
शोधित सिद्ध               पारद-परशे
लौह पालटे स्वर्ण-सार,
गण्य कि ताहा               अन्य लौह-
बिकार दरबे पुनर्बार ?
*
[४३]
नळ ठारे तुम        कामना जागिछि
इन्द्रे बरजि बिरागे,
निजे पण्डिता       बोलाउछ आहा !
लज्जा केमिति न लागे ?
आगो करभोरु !          मोहरि मतरे
उष्ट्र ठारु बि श्रेष्ठ तुमे,
इक्षु- रसर                   उपेक्षा करि
रमिछि य़ा मन शमी-द्रुमे ॥
*
[४६]
नळ बिना तुमे          ऊर्द्ध्वे छन्दि
मरण चिन्ति निजर,
करिले उपाय              हरिनेबे नभे
इन्द्र अमर-प्रबर ।
ख- मण्डळर                ईश्वर बोलि
बिश्‍वे बिदित से महाभाग,
तुमकु निश्‍चे           बळे घेनिय़िबे,
तेज‍इ के निज न्याय़्य भाग ?
*
[४७]
नळराजा बिना         अनळरे य़दि
झास देब राज-तनया,
तेबे से अमर              प्रति गो तुमर
हेला अनन्त सुदया ।
दुर्लभ थिला                ताङ्क सुचिर-
काङ्क्षित तब तनु जगते,
आपणार अप-                घन अर्पण
करुछ ए काळे स्वेच्छामते ॥
*
[४८]
नळ बिना य़दि           नीरे परबेशि
झासिब निराशे अथये,
निश्‍चय तुमे              गमिब बारीश
बरुण देबता- निळये ।
हृदय-बाहारे             बहिबे आहुरि
से निज बक्षे तब जीबन,
उड़ाइबे जय-                ब‍इजयन्ती
दमयन्ति गो ! चिरन्तन ॥
*
[४९]
तुमे पण्डिता           खण्डि ए काळे
एतेक दूषण निजर,
य़दि आपणार             मरण चिन्ति
करिब उपाय अपर ।
राज-नन्दिनि !               य़म-मन्दिरे
प्रियातिथि साजि सुनिश्‍चित,
करिब नाहिँ कि           य़म-देबङ्कु
स्वेच्छारे आपे आप्यायित ?
*
[५०]
अबा एइ तब             निषेध-भङ्गी
दिए सम्मति सूचना,
बचने तुमरि            करे समीचीन
बक्रता लीळा रचना ।
चतुरी रमणी-            मुख बास्तबे
ध्वनिर निधान बोलि त जाणि,
झटकुछि एक         छटा रूपे य़ार
तब बदनर बक्र बाणी ॥
*
[५१]
भैमि ! तुमरि             ए सरस्वती-
रस-स्रोतर अथय,
घोर आबर्त्ते             घूरि अधीरता
भजुथिबि केते समय ?
स्पष्ट कर गो !               इष्ट निजर
क्षणे लाज तेजि अब्याजरे,
लभिबे माल्य            शुभ साफल्य
केउँ सुर-बर स्वयंबरे ?"
* * * 


(Translated in BHU, Varanasi, 1977)
*
[Extracted from My Oriya Translation of
'Naishadhacharita - Navama Sarga'
Published in 'Bartika', Literary Quarterly, Dasahara Special,
October-December 2000, Dasarathapur, Jajpur, Orissa.]
* * * 
Related Link :
Translated Kavyas of Dr. Harekrishna Meher : 
http://hkmeher.blogspot.in/2016/08/translated-works-of-dr-harekrishna-meher.html   
* * * *

Monday, October 15, 2007

Philosophical Reflections in the Naisadhacarita (Ph.D. Thesis: Dr.Harekrishna Meher)




“PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS IN THE NAISADHACARITA”

The Doctoral Thesis of mine done in Banaras Hindu University in 1981 throws much light on philosophical ideas as reflected in the Sanskrit Mahakavya ‘Naisadhacaritam’ authored by the distinguished poet Sriharsa.  

This book has gained much popularity with world-wide circulation on the internet
through the websites of several renowned international publishers and booksellers.

Some extracts are presented here from my book
“PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS IN THE NAISADHACARITA”,
By : HAREKRISHNA MEHER   

Published by : Punthi Pustak, 136 / 4B, Bidhan Sarani, Calcutta-4,
First Edition 1989, ISBN: 81-85094-21-7. Copyright Reserved by the Author.

**

Introduction :
The Naisadhacarita of poet Sriharsa enjoys a prominent position among the five great epics of Sanskrit Literature. This epic contains twenty-two cantos completed with 2827 verses. Its main theme is the story of love between Nala, the King of Nisadha and Damayanti, the Princess of Vidarbha. The story of Nala and Damayanti is found in the Mahabharata of Vyasa and Katha-Sarit-Sagara of Somadeva. The episode of the epic has been taken from the Mahabharata. Poet Sriharsa has remodelled the story and has added the sentiment of love to it. *

In the concluding verses of each canto of the epic, poet Sriharsa has laid bare his identification. Srihira was his father and Mamalla Devi his mother. As the tradition tells, Sriharsa’s maternal uncle was Mammata, the reputed rhetorician and writer of the Kavya-Prakasa.* Sriharsa himself speaks of his own tribute of getting two pieces of betel and a seat from the King of Kanyakubja. However, the name of the king is not stated by the poet. From Rajasekhara’s story and discussions of Pandit Sivadatta, it is maintained that Sriharsa was the honourable court-poet in the reign of King Vijayacandra and his son Jayantacandra of Kanyakubja. Historically, this Jayantacandra is known as Jayacandra who is associated with Prithviraja and Samyukta. So from this evidence, poet Sriharsa is assigned to the latter half of twelfth century A.D.

As a matter of fact, this epic poem in some verses appears to be critical. The poet seems to have wantonly wrought his composition stiff and not easily intelligible. He himself remarks that he has written such a literary epic in order to pulverize the pride of the vain-glorious scholars of his time. In his philosophical book ‘Khandana-Khanda-Khadya’ also, he holds such view and advises to triumph over scholars in literary and philosophical discussions. It may be recalled that challenging discussions and scholastic presentations were the intellectual fashion in his time and milieu.*

Sriharsa’s work is mainly meant for the learned society. Here allusions to the Vedas, Upanisads, Dharma-sastra, Smriti-sastra, Natya-sastra, Kama-sastra, Puranas and several scriptures on Politics, Ethics, Music, Art, Psychology, Prosody, Poetics, Rhetorics, Grammar, Philosophy, Astrology, Astronomy, Medical Science, Palmistry, Archery and the like, apprise the readers of the vast knowledge of the poet. It forms the store-house of Indian epic learnings. Sanskrit critics of India, therefore, have paid high homage to the poetic excellence of Sriharsa that supersedes the literary talent of poets like Bharavi and Magha (Udite Naisadhe Kavye kva Maghah kva ca Bharavih). Tradition also regards Naisadhacarita as the panacea of the learned (Naisadham Vidvadausadham).*

Despite verbal complexities, Sriharsa is conscious of the usage of appropriate words conveying intended meaning. As he opines, verbosity and levity of meaning are two poisons of speech, and eloquence forms the speech that is precise and essence. The Naisadhacarita gains commendable celebrity for the grace of diction (Naisadhe Pada-Lalityam). * The poet is regarded as ‘Slesa-Kavi’ (Pun-Poet). This epithet of his own is not unjustified, since the affluence of puns is oft-observed with grammatical propriety throughout his writing. In his epic, the opening verse in praise of Sun-like King Nala obviously heralds the profusion of prolific puns. Vaidarbhi is the favourite Riti of Sriharsa.

As a patron of Indian culture and heritage, the poet pays patriotic tribute to the Motherland India in the speech of Princess Damayanti. India is depicted as a holy land of deeds, enjoyment and virtues, better than heaven, the superficially attractive land of impermanent enjoyment only. So the princess cherishes her heartiest aspiration to choose Nala, the king of this mundane land, by rejecting Indra, the king of heaven. The poet also communicates philosophical message for well-being of the world.*

Sriharsa’s Naisadhacarita seems burdensome for general readers; but it serves as a repository of epical riches. This literary composition earns high admirations from many noted Sanskrit scholars, both oriental and occidental. For the felicitous expression, bold approach, intellectual relevance, emotional charm, scriptural significance, philosophical probing and above all, scholarly structure of Indian wisdom, this epic is renowned as a monumental masterpiece in Sanskrit. *

The Khandana-Khanda-Khadya (lit. “The Sweets of Refutations”) popularly known as Khandana is his masterpiece in philosophical polemics. The poet refers to the Naisadhacarita in his Khandana-Khanda-Khadya, also to the latter in the former. As a devout philosopher of Advaita Vedanta, the poet shows his scholastic refutation of Nyaya views and establishes the monistic canon in his philosophical work.* Both the literary and philosophical compositions of the poet-philosopher Sriharsa mark a new epoch in the study of Indian philosophy, especially of Advaita Vedanta and place him in the distinguished series of the Sanskrit scholars of India.


‘Philosophical Importance of Naisadhacarita’ :
In the Naisadhacarita, both Indian literature and Indian philosophy are interestingly interwoven. Indian philosophy has the celebrity all over the world for its intellectual and practical eminence. The keynote of almost all the philosophical systems is the realization of Truth and Self, annihilation of mundane sufferings and attainment of supreme happiness. Ways are many, but the destination is one. Sriharsa’s epic has several philosophical trends in the light of the thoughts revealed by the minds of the great Aryan thinkers.

Poet Sriharsa is a deep-delved philosopher. His Naisadhacarita, even with its epical characteristics, forms a philosophical profile. This literary composition addresses itself to a critical review of social norms and ethics. Romanticism of the Nala-Damayanti-episode reigns superb; yet other factors of life are also taken into account in the greater perspective of human existence.

Sriharsa has not dilated upon all the topics of all the Indian philosophical systems; still his philosophical purview provides a general survey. Various philosophical notions are compressed and communed with the literary matter of the epic. No sequence is seen in the philosophical allusions and they are found scattered in over two hundred and thirty verses of different cantos.

For the philosophical affluence with scriptural influence, Canto-XVII is really remarkable. Some definite items of almost all the systems, theist and atheist, spiritual and non-spiritual, orthodox and heterodox, are traced with unfailing philosophical focuses. This significant canto forms an excellent index of Sriharsa’s dexterous genius, originality and inviting innovations in the philosophical sphere.

It may be observed that with the infusion of philosophical phenomena, Sriharsa’s aim is to suitably embellish the aesthetic status of his literary work and to sincerely evince his philosophical acumen as well. He has successfully designed his poetic art with the philosophical features noticeable not only in plain illustrations, but also in many a double entendre.

Sriharsa’s eruditions on all the philosophical systems are very well marked and the sublimity of Monistic Vedanta has been maintained in the Naisadhacarita. Literary merit has not been belittled by the philosophical concepts inserted into the literature; rather it has been enhanced, since they have been contextually and befittingly utilized as some favourable figures of speech without causing any levity of meaning and without marring the literary beauty of the epic.

Bearing, though unsystematically, the outlines of diverse philosophical aspects, from Carvaka upto Vedanta in a bird’s eye-view, this literary epic appears as an epitome of Indian Philosophy weighed carefully by the poet-philosopher Sriharsa. Through the scriptural and canonical connections, all the thoughts signify the cultural heritage of the vast country of India and Indianness. 


Brief Sketch of the Philosophical Study :  
In the present volume accomplished with ten chapters, Chapter First embodies Introduction regarding general observations on Sriharsa and his writings.* In Chapter Second, the heterodox materialism of Carvaka has been assessed.* In Chapter Third, views of Sankhya philosophy have been summarized.* Concepts of Yoga philosophy have been discussed in Chapter Fourth.* Mimamsa philosophy has found a place of discourse in Chapter Fifth.* Chapter Sixth deals with the tenets of Bauddha philosophy.* In Chapter Seventh, doctrines of Jaina philosophy have been brought to the philosophical disquisition.* Chapter Eighth plays a principal part in comprising the concepts of Nyaya-Vaisesika philosophy.* Vedanta philosophy has been critically construed in Chapter Ninth.* Chapter Tenth forms the concluding review on the epic from different angles.* Depicting the literary theme of love, poet Sriharsa has looked into the inner sense of life through various philosophical topics in his Naisadhacarita.

* *
[ For details, please see My above-mentioned book
“Philosophical Reflections in the Naisadhacarita.”]

Ref : WIKIPEDIA : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_Reflections_in_the_Naisadhacarita
* * *