Written  by London swaminathan

Date: 17 November 2015
POST No. 2337
Time uploaded in London :– 21-20
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Shakuntala Popular Four Verses

 

Kavyesu Natakam ramyam tatra ramyaa Sakuntala

Tatraapi cha chaturtankah tatra sloka chatustayam

 

In the classical literature, drama is the best one; Among the Dramas Saakuntalam (of Kalidasa) is the best. Even in that drama fourth Act is the best one. And in the fourth act, there are four beautiful slokas!

 

 

The four verses in the Fouth Act are verses 6,18,19,22

 

Yaasyadya ………………….

Paatum na pratamam …………………

Asana sadhu………………..

Susruusasva ……………………..

 

Verse 6

Seer Kanva says:

This day will Sakuntala depart; at such a thought my heart is smitten with anguish; my voice is choked by suppressing the flow of tears; and my senses paralysed by anxious thought. If such through affection, is the affliction even of me a hermit, O with what pangs must they who are fathers of families be afflicted at the first parting with their daughters?

 

Verse 18

Seer Kanva addressing the trees and plants:

 

She who wouldn’t drink water first, before you were watered; she who cropped not through affection for you one of your fresh leaves, though she is fond of ornaments; she whose chief delight was in the season of the first appearance of your bloom; even that same Sakuntala is going to the palace of her wedded Lord. Let all give their consent.

 

Verse 19

 

Kanva says this Sarngarava:

Consider us, who are rich in self restraint

And consider your own exalted lineage

Consider well her love, spontaneous,

That flowed towards you  unprompted by her kin

Regard her then as worth equal  esteem

As your other consorts; more than that rests

On what Fortune has in store for her

The bride’s kin ought not to speak of it

Verse 22

 

“ My child, you are now leaving for your husband’s home; when you enter it:

 

Serve your elders with diligence; be a friend to your co-wives; even if wronged by your husband do not cross him through anger.
Treat those who serve you with utmost courtesy.
Be not puffed up with pride by wealth and pleasures;
Thus do girls attain the status of mistress of the home; those who act contrary are the bane of their families”.

 

 

These are the four popular verses in Sakntalam. All these are spoken by the seer Kanva.

 

If one reads in the drama and understands the context, it will add more colour and weight to these statements.

 

Sakuntala is shown as an innocent and  kind forest woman. Shakespeare has modelled his Miranda (The Tempest) on the character of Kalidasa’s Sakuntala.

 

More about Sanskrit Drama:–

 

Elements of Plots of Drama:

 

Biija seed

Bindu vital drop

Pataakaa episode

Prakarii episodic incident

Kaaryam action

 

 

Stages of Action in Drama

 

Praarambhah — Beginning

Prayatna —  effort

Praapti  Sambhava- Possibility of attainment

Niyataapti — certainty of attainment

Phalapraaptih —  attainment of the object

 

Praarambascha prayatnascha tataa praaptescha sambhavah

Niyataa cha phalapraaptih phalayogascha pacamah