Sanskrit Translation: October 2014

अदिति - It has been decided by our school that a Sanskrit drama should be performed (by us) for the state- level drama competition. I am to enact (the role of) लक्ष्मीबाई, the queen of झाशी. It has been told by the director that this drama has the sentiment of bravery as the predominant (sentiment). You know (about) नाट्यशास्त्र composed by the sage भरत and the रसाs (sentiments) in drama. So I have come to ask (you) about it.

Teacher - Listen. Probably in the third century B.C. नाट्यशास्त्र was composed by sage भरत. This नाट्यशास्त्र is considered to be the fifth Veda by the scholars. In that treatise, the sage has explained about रसाs (sentiments) useful for drama about their भावs (emotions) also.

अदिति - What are indeed रसाs (sentiments) and भावs (emotions)? How is the manifestation of रस (sentiment) possible in dramas?

Teacher - The sage भरत says, just as in the kitchen, the food consisting of six flavours , prepared by the proper methods of cooking becomes tasty similarly in drama the work of art (performance) endowed with various भावs (emotions) and acting becomes enjoyable and attractive for the appreciative people. So these particular emotions are defined as रसाs (sentiments) of drama.

अदिति - How many रसाs (sentiments) are there? And what are their names?

Teacher - श्रृंगार (love), हास्‍य (humour), रौद्र(fury), करुण (pathos), वीर (bravery), अद्भुत (wonder), बीभत्‍स (disgust), भयानक (horror) and similarly शान्‍त ( peace)- these nine sentiments are famous. In this science (treatise) the deities and colours of all the sentiments are described.

अदिति -Teacher, now please tell (me) particularly about the sentiment of bravery.

Teacher - Yes. Enthusiasm is the main quality of the sentiment of bravery. It makes others also enthusiastic. The other quality is अध्यवसाय which means firm resolve and firm effort. Another quality is firm intellect. The रस should be manifested by the effective acting स्थॆर्य (stability), धॆर्य (courage), वीर्य (bravery), गर्व (pride), उत्साह (enthusiasm), पराक्रम (valour), etc. This रस (sentiment) inspires the audience (appreciative people).

अदिति -Teacher, keeping all this in mind, I will act accordingly. Indeed, I am obliged (to you).

Teacher - Be successful and modest.

RR.chp.10 Drawing is the greatest among all arts

Drawing is the greatest among all arts

In the treatise named विष्णुधर्मोत्तरपुराण, the science of drawing is described in detail. The dialogue between (the sage) मार्कण्डेय and (the king) वज्र in that (book) is famous. When the king वज्र asked, 'what is the means of happiness in this world and the next world?’ the sage मार्कण्डेय explained the greatness of drawing in this way-

'Just as सुमेरु is the greatest of all the mountains, the eagle is the pre-eminent among the birds, king is the most excellent among men, similarly in this world the art of drawing is greatest of all arts.'

With the art not only not only the artists, but even common people get happiness.

Drawing is the greatest among all arts, it gives religious merit (धर्म), wealth (अर्थ), sensual pleasure (काम) and salvation (मोक्ष).Where it (picture) is placed in the house it first indicates auspiciousness.

The pioneer of this art of drawing was नारायण who was the son of धर्म (and) was the sculptor of gods.

Generally lines, shape, light and shade are important (in drawing). Achieving similarity is said to be the main factor in drawing. Place, proportion, beauty, size of land, distinction, similarity, reduction (diminution) and augmentation these eight qualities should be integrated in a picture. The beauty of the picture is enhanced due to these (qualities).

In drawing, the real test of an artist happens in using colours and his skill is also manifested in it. White (श्र्वेत:), red (रक्त:), yellow (पीत:), black(कृष्ण:) and green(हरित:) are known as five primary colours. The numbers of other colours created by mixing two or three colours are countless. But the black and white colours are very important for mixing. The beauty of the picture is increased by blending the colours.

But the creativity of an artist is important in this aspect.

At the time of explaining चित्रसुत्र, the sage मार्कण्डेय has described the proportion of height and depth. The term चित्रसुत्र comprises the height of men and women in the picture, their body-structure (figure) and each and every part of their body. All these should be proportionate.

Because, indeed without proportion, a picture does not become attractive. Besides the nine रसाs (sentiments) such as love, pathos, etc. that are described in poetics should be depicted in the picture. The depiction of रसाs (sentiments) creates liveliness in the picture. The emotions of heart are expressed by body movements. The depiction of feelings should be according to the nine रसाs (sentiments).

In order to explain how the भवाs (emotions) and रसाs (sentiments) should be depicted in the picture, the characteristics of the pictures are narrated. The rules about how a picture should be drawn according to the nature of a person are also described. For example while drawing the picture of a man who is peaceful by nature, the eyebrow should be in the shape of half moon. The eyebrow of a dancer should be bow-shaped. The picture of deities should be drawn adorned with ornaments, having pleasant face and wearing silk garments. The depiction of a sage should be with matted hair, wearing the skin of a black deer, lean and possessing lustre.

Beauty is the important aspect of a picture. Having learnt the proportion of each and every part of the body, in which part reduction is necessary, in which part augmentation is essential, this should be thought of by the artist. Thus, all the guidance that is necessary for the expertise of the artist has been given in विष्णुधर्मोत्तरपुराण.

In fact art is the God's gift but attaining proficiency in it is surely dependent on man. That alone is the purpose of sciences and there only lies the usefulness of studying the sciences.

5. Let's be friends of Birds

5. Let's be friends of Birds

Dear शिवानी,

Many blessings!

Child, two days ago I reached here at भरतपुर. My mind is not satisfied (yet) having experienced the beautiful form of nature resounding with the chirping of various birds. And coming here I remember (miss) you a lot, especially your love for birds and curiosity about them. It is indeed known to you that this ‘केवलदेव National Park' is a bird sanctuary. Here, special arrangement and special restrictions have been made by the Government of India for them.

Two or three days are not enough to see such a huge forest because its area is extensive and full of variety. Various types of spots are created here for different types of birds. Dry grassland for terrestrial birds, watery land or marshy place for aquatic birds and similarly huge trees that have become dwellings for tree- birds are also here. Many trees have been accepted here (resorted to) for dwelling by birds of various colours. Tree-birds, grassland-birds and aquatic birds also live here in a large number. Three hundred sixty six species of them live and play here happily. Grassland- birds such as तित्तिर birds (partridges) are seen playing (here). Flocks of Painted storks (चित्रबलाक) making sweet noise on the trees attract the minds of the tourists. Various types of क्रॊञ्च (cranes) looking for prey in the grass are seen from a distance. Many remarkable species of birds are seen floating in the water. A particular bird called White spoonbill (चमसचञ्चू) is specially noticed. Other birds also come here from other countries for staying in winter. It is indeed sad and shameful also that क्रॊञ्च birds (cranes) coming from Siberia (and) staying here in winter season have now become extinct. Many birds coming from Ladakh (लडाख) region also stay here in winter. Tourists and researchers from (our) and foreign countries come here in a large number to see these migrated birds and to know more about them. Bird- banding (fixing a metal ring to the legs of birds) has also been done by bird lovers for studying them.

Child, this is indeed sad, that many of these special (species of) birds have become extinct. Now some other species also should be specially protected. I remember, many particular birds used to come in our housing complex. (Such as) Cuckoos on the mango tree, भारद्वाज (Greater Coucal) with red wings, wandering at its bottom or in the grass. Even now, its deep sound is resounding in my ears. हूपू birds (Hoopoe) birds with black and yellow stripes playing here and there in groups used to be there itself till the end of the day. The crests of feathers on their head look beautiful like crown. When they open them, they look beautiful like kings. The constantly quarreling सारिकाs (thrushes) are rare now. Even धनेशs (Hornbills) living in the hollow of the big trees have become rare. Nowadays, even धीवर (the Kingfisher) is seen in small numbers.

Do you know child, we alone are their destroyers (killers). Their dwellings have been destroyed by us for our houses. Where will they go? The measures for their protection should be taken by human beings only. So that even they will be protected.

Alright! I stop now. My best regards to your mother and father.

Your,

Grandmother.

Thursday 2 October 2014

Unseen dialogue(1-8)

Unseen dialogue (1-8)

1. Doorkeeper: May king भोज be victorious. Oh Lord, a certain scholar is waiting at the door with (his) family.

King: Quickly bring a vessel full of milk and give (it) to the scholar. (Doorkeeper follows the order (of the king)).

Scholar: (On seeing) Oh daughter-in-law! Bring some sugar. (Mixing the sugar in milk) Oh offer back this vessel to king भोज.

King: (On seeing) (happily) this scholar is indeed intelligent.

2. Minister: Oh king! On giving the vessel full of milk, it was suggested by me that our royal court is full of scholars. There is no place for any other (scholar).

King: After that what was the reply of the scholar?

Minister: It was replied by him- just as the sugar gets dissolved in the milk and increases its sweetness. Similarly, I will remain mixed with the scholars and increase the sweetness of the court.

King: Oh! His answer is wonderful.

3. Envoy: Oh Lord! A certain beggar wants to see you.

King: Quickly bring him with respect. (The poor man enters. The king asks) Oh where have (you) come from?

The poor man: Oh Lord, I have come from कैलास .

King: Then tell (me), is that Lord शिव well?

The poor man: The question of his well being does not arise at all. He is indeed dead.

King: What dead? How? It is not heard by us.

4. The poor man: Oh King! The death of lord शिव started hundreds of years ago. Now, recently only it got over.

King: Surprising! How is it possible?

The poor man: Listen, oh king! He is indeed the form of हरिहर. Therefore हरि, that is Lord विष्णु took (his) half body.

King: The other half?

The poor man: he is again अर्धनारीश्वर, therefore Goddess पार्वती took the other half.

5. The poor man: The ornaments of lord शिव, who had died, moon, river गङ्गा , the king of snakes वासुकि were taken by sky.

King: After that?

The poor man: After that, there were his virtues. Having distributed, others took them.

King: Which?

The poor man: Donation, generosity and bravery were taken by you. At the end only one virtue remained; taking that only, I wander on earth. I am always wandering for alms.

6. (Having considered her own son thinking with concentration the Queen चन्द्रमति asks)

चन्द्रमति- Oh child, may you live long. Why do you seem dejected and worried?

यशोधर- (to himself) Now, how should I tell (her this) heart-pricking grief (of mine). I shall tell. Alright (aloud) Mother, at the dawn, I saw a dream.

चन्द्रमति-Then indeed tell (me) quickly.

यशोधर- Listen, some demon sat on my chest. He said, “Having entrusted the responsibility of kingdom to (your) son, being ascetic resort to penance grove.”

7. (A psychiatric patient मिलिन्द- having approached the neighbour in the morning screams loudly)

मिलिन्द- Oh friend, save me, save me. At night a kitten entered my stomach through my mouth. Listen, it growls.

निनाद-Friend it is not a kitten but it is gas trouble. Let us go to a doctor.

मिलिन्द- No No, not to a doctor but we should go to a surgeon.

निनाद-It is indeed true. One should not try to please (dissuade) the mind of foolish person. Come on quickly.

8. Doctor-What are you saying, a kitten is growling in the stomach?

मिलिन्द-But what should I do at night?

Doctor- These are two pills. One is for you and other one for the kitten to experience the pleasure of sleep.

(Next day in the hospital)

Doctor-Oh मिलिन्द get up. Operation is successful. See this kitten was in your stomach. Now be relaxed (free from worry).

मिलिन्द-(In a weeping tone) But a black kitten entered my stomach, this one is white.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Unseen verses(1-12)

Unseen Verses (1-12)

1. An alert person gets wealth. The one who eats wholesome food gets health. The one who is free from diseases gets happiness. The one who studies gets the end of knowledge (complete knowledge). The one who is humble gets religious merit, wealth and fame.

2. If indeed the heart of good people is broken sometimes, it is undoubtedly and easily united (restored) like gold very soon. Just as the potter’s pot that is broken and shattered doesn't get united (restored), in the same way the heart of wicked people when hurt doesn't get united (restored) at all.

3. The fruit that men get is dependent on action. Even the intelligence follows the action. Even then, a wise man should act after thinking properly.

4. One should not serve wicked person. One should take resort to great person. Having approached to Lord राम, बिभीषण got the kingdom of लङ्का.

5. Just as hands (do whatever is pleasant) to body, just as eyelids (do whatever is pleasant) to eyes, same way, a friend who does (our) welfare without even thinking is called a friend (in real manner).

6. He, who brings the enemies under his control by using the strength of his intelligence, is indeed clever and brave.

7. From where will the king who doesn't have great poets beside him, attain fame. There were many kings on earth. (How many people had not become kings?) But no one knows even their names.

8. Indeed that is the great advice which is for the protection of benefit (obtained) in the past, for obtaining benefit in the future and in order to rescue the one facing calamity.

9. My opinion is that the hearts of virtuous people are indeed hard. They are not broken (hurt) even little by the sharp arrows in the form of words of wicked people.

10. The skill and truthfulness (of a person) are understood in the course of conversation. Flexibility and steadiness are understood by actual observation.

11. Disease, sorrow, agony, bondage and calamities, these are the fruits of the trees in the form of own sins of human beings.

12. Indeed in this world of living beings, there is no greater destruction (death) for men than intoxication. Because all kinds of wealth desert (give up) intoxicated person and all calamities surround him from all the sides.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

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Sunday 5 October 2014

6. Enjoying the Sentiments