MRCCHAKATIKA THE LITTLE CLAY CART by Sudrakah -6

THE LITTLE CLAY CART

[MRCCHAKATIKA]

21 fttnUu SDtama

ATTRIBUTED TO KING SHUDRAKA

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL SANSKRIT AND PRAKRITS

INTO ENGLISH PROSE AND VERSE

BY

ARTHUR WILLIAM RYDER, PH.D.

INSTRUCTOR TN SANSKRIT IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

^arbarD

1905

142 ACT THE NINTH [MS.WS.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak, Charudatta. Do not be ashamed.

This is a lawsuit.

Charudatta. [In embarrassment.] Officials, how can I testify that

a courtezan is my friend? But at worst, it is youth that bears the

blame, not character.

Judge. The case is hard ; then banish shame,

Though it oppress your heart;

Speak truth with fortitude, and aim

To set deceit apart. 18

Do not be embarrassed. The conduct of the case puts the question.

Charudatta. Officer, with whom have I a lawsuit?

Sansth&naka. \Arrogantlyr

.] With me!

Charudatta. A lawsuit with you is unendurable!

Sansthanaka. Well, well, woman-murderer ! You murder a woman

like Vasantasena who used to wear a hundred gems, and now you

try deceitful deceivings to hide it !

Charudatta. You are a fool.

Judge. Enough of him, good Charudatta. Speak the truth. Is the

courtezan your friend ?

Charudatta. She is.

Judge. Sir, where is Vasantasena?

Charudatta. She has gone home.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How did she go? When did she go? Who

accompanied her?

Charudatta. [Aside."] Shall I say that she went unobserved?

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak, sir.

Charudatta. She went home. What more shall I say?

Sansthanaka. She was enticed into my old garden Pushpakaranda,

and was shtrangled for her money. Now will you shay that she

went home?

Charudatta. Man, you are crazy.

P. 24i.i9] THE TRIAL 143

The very clouds of heaven wet not you ;

Your lips are like the blue-jay's wing-tip worn,

Yes, full as fickle with their speech untrue,

And like the winter lotus lustre-lorn. 19

Judge. [Aside.}

Take the Himalayan hills within your hand,

And swim from ocean strand to ocean strand,

And hold within your grasp the fleeting wind:

Then may you think that Charudatta sinned. 20

[Aloud.} This is the noble Charudatta. How could he commit

this crime? [He repeats the verse "A countenance like his:'

1

page

141}

Sansthanaka. Why thish partiality in a lawshuit?

Judge. Away, you fool!

Illiterate, you gloss the Sacred Law,

And still your tongue uninjured find?

The midday sun with steadfast eye you saw,

And are not straightway stricken blind ?

You thrust your hand into the blazing fire,

And draw it forth, unscathed and sound?

Drag Charudatta's virtue in the mire,

Nor sink beneath this yawning ground? 21

How could the noble Charudatta commit a crime?

Of all the riches of the mighty sea

Only the swelling waters now are left,

Because, without consideration, he

For others' good himself of all has reft.

And should this high-souled man, this store-house where

All gems of virtue gather and unite,

For lucre's sake, so foul a trespass dare

That in it even his foe could not delight? 22

Mother. You scoundrel! When the golden casket that was left

144 ACT THE NINTH [ur.ies.

with him as a pledge was stolen by thieves at night, he gave in

place of it a pearl necklace that was the pride of the four seas.

And he should now, for a mere trifle for her money! do this

sin? Oh, my child, come back to me, my daughter! [She weeps.}

Judge. Noble Charudatta, did she go on foot, or in a bullockcart?

Charudatta. I did not see her when she went. Therefore I do not

know whether she went on foot, or in a bullock-cart.

[Enter Viraka, in anger.]

Viraka. My anger was so prodded to the quick

By that dishonoring, insulting kick,

And so I brooded, till at last the night

Unwilling yielded to the dawning light. 23

So now I will go to the court-room. [He enters.] May happiness

be the lot of these honorable gentlemen.

Judge. Ah, it is Viraka, the captain of the guard. Viraka, what

is the purpose of your coming ?

Viraka. Well! I was looking for Aryaka, in all the excitement

about his escape from prison. I had my suspicions about a covered

bullock-cart that was coming, and wanted to look in. "You've

made one inspection, man, I must make another," said I, and then

I was kicked by the highly respectable Chandanaka. You have

heard the matter, gentlemen. The rest is your affair.

Judge. My good man, do you know to whom the bullock-cart

belonged?

Viraka. To this gentleman here, Charudatta. And the driver said

that Vasantasena was in it, and was on her way to have a good

time in the old garden Pushpakaranda.

Sansth&naka. Lishten to that, too !

Judge. This moon, alas, though spotless-bright,

Is now eclipsed, and robbed of light;

P. 244.8] THE TRIAL 145

The bank is fallen; the waves appear

Befouled, that once were bright and clear. 24

Viraka, we will investigate your case here later. Mount the horse

that stands before the court-room door, go to the garden Pushpakaranda,

and see whether a woman has perished there or not.

Viraka. Yes, sir. [He goes out, then returns.] I have been there.

And I saw the body of a woman, torn by wild beasts.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How do you know that it was the body

of a woman ?

Viraka. That I perceived from the traces of hair and arms and

hands and feet.

Judge. Alas for the difficulties which are caused by the actions

of men !

The more one may apply his skill,

The harder is the matter still ;

Plain are indeed the law's demands,

Yet judgment insecurely stands

As some poor cow on shifting sands. 25

Ch&rudatta. [Aside.]

As bees, when flowers begin to blow,

Gather to sip the honey, so

When man is marked by adverse fate,

Misfortunes enter every gate. 26

Judge. Noble Charudatta, speak truth !

Chftrudatta. A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind,

Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find

To slay the man he envies ; shall his lies

By evil nature prompted, win the prize?

No! he is unregarded by the wise. 27

And more than this:

The creeper's beauty would I never blight,

Nor pluck its flowers; should I not be afraid

146 ACT THE NINTH [149.15 s.

To seize her hair so lovely-long, and bright

As wings of bees, and slay a weeping maid? 28

Sansthanaka. Hello, magishtrates ! How can you inveshtigate the

cashe with such partiality? Why, even now you let thish shcoundrel

Charudatta shtay on his sheat.

Judge. My good beadle, so be it. [The beadle follows Sansthanaka

s suggestion.]

Charudatta. Consider, magistrates, consider what you are doing !

[He leaves his seat, and sits on thefloor.]

Sansthanaka. [Dancing about gkefully. Aside.] Fine! The shin

that I did falls on another man's head. Sho I '11 sit where Charudatta

was. [He does so.] Look at me, Charudatta, and confessh

that you murdered her.

Charudatta. Magistrates!

A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind,

Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find

To slay the man he envies; shall his lies,

By evil nature prompted, win the prize?

No! he is unregarded by the wise. (27)

[Sighing. Aside.]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow!

My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain!

My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low

By sternest fate ; and thou, thou dost not know

That all thy childish games are played in vain.

Thou playest, heedless of another's pain ! 29

But Maitreya I sent to Vasantasena, that he might bring me tidings

of her, and might restore the jewels which she gave my child,

to buy him a toy cart. Why then does he linger?

[Enter Maitreya with the gems.]

Maitreya. Charudatta bade me go to Vasantasena, to return her

P. 46.i9] THE TRIAL 147

jewels, and he said to me: "Maitreya, Vasantasena adorned my

dear Rohasena with her own jewels, and sent him thus to his

mother. It was fitting that she should give him the jewels, but

not that we should receive them. Therefore restore them to her."

So now I will go to Vasantasena's house. [He walks about and

looks around, then speaks to a person behind tJie scenes.] Ah, it is

Master Rebhila. Oh, Master Rebhila, why do you seem so exceedingly

troubled? [He listens.] What! do you mean to say that

my dear friend Charudatta has been summoned to court? That

can hardly be an insignificant matter. [He reflects] I will go to

Vasantasena's house later, but now I will go to the court-room.

[He walks about and looks around] Here is the court-room. I will

go in at once. [He enters] May happiness be the lot of the magistrates.

Where is my friend?

Judge. Here.

Maitreya. My friend, I wish you happiness.

Charudatta. It will be mine.

Maitreya. And peace.

Charudatta. That too will be mine.

Maitreya. My friend, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled?

And why were you summoned?

Charudatta. My friend,

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame,

Nor seek in heaven to be blest;

A maid or goddess 'tis the same

But he will say the rest. 30

Maitreya. What? what?

Charudatta. [ Whispers.] That is it.

Maitreya. Who says that?

Charudatta. [Indicating Sansthanafca] This poor fellow is the instrument

that fate uses to accuse me.

148 ACT THE NINTH [

Maitreya. [Aside to Charudatta.] Why don't you simply say that

she went home?

Charudatta. Though I say it, it is not believed, so unfortunate is

my condition.

Maitreya. But gentlemen! He adorned the city of Ujjayini with

mansions, cloisters, parks, temples, pools, and fountains, and he

should be mad enough to commit such a crime and for a mere

trifle? [Wrathfully.] You offspring of a loose wench, you brotherin-

law of the king, Sansthanaka, you libertine, you slanderer, you

buffoon, you gilded monkey, say it before me! This friend of mine

does n't even draw a flowering jasmine creeper to himself, to gather

the blossoms, for fear that a twig might perhaps be injured.

How should he commit a crime like this, which heaven and earth

call accursed? Just wait, you son of a bawd! Wait till I split your

head into a hundred pieces with this staff* of mine, as crooked as

your heart.

Sansthanaka. [Angrily.,] Lishten to that, gentlemen! I have a

quarrel, or a lawshuit, with Charudatta. What right has a man

with a pate that looks like a caret, to shplit my head into a hundred

pieces? Not much ! You confounded rashcal ! [Maitreya raises

his staffand repeats his words. Sansthanaka rises angrily and strikes

him. Maitreya strikes back. During the scuffle the jewelsfallfrom

Maitreya's girdled]

Sansthanaka. [Picks up thejewels and examines them. Excitedly.']

Look, gentlemen, look! These are the poor girl's jewels! {Pointing

to Ch&mdatta.] For a trifle like thish he murdered her, and killed

her too. [The magistrates all bow their heads.]

Charudatta. [Aside to Maitreya.]

'T is thus my fate would vent its gall,

That at this moment they should fall,

These gems and with them, I. 81

Maitreya. But why don't you simply tell the truth ?

P. mi] THE TRIAL 149

Charudatta. My friend,

The king perceives with blinded eye,

Nor on the truth that eye will bend;

Though telling all, I cannot fly

A wretched and inglorious end. 32

Judge. Alas! Alas!

With Mars strives Jupiter, and dies ;

Beside them both there seems to rise

A comet-planet

l in the skies. 33

Gild-warden and Clerk. [Looking at the casket. To Vasantasenas

motherJ] Madam, pray examine this golden casket attentively, to

see whether it be the same or not.

Mother. [Examining the casket.] It is similar, but not the same.

Sansthanaka. Oh, you old bawd! You confessh it with your eyes,

and deny it with your lips.

Mother. Away, you scoundrel!

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak carefully. Is it the same or not?

Mother. Sir, the craftsman's skill captivates the eye. But it is not

the same.

Judge. My good woman, do you know these jewels ?

Mother. No, I said. No! I don't recognize them; but perhaps they

were made by the same craftsman.

Judge. Gild-warden, see!

Gems often seem alike in many ways,

When the artist's mind on form and beauty plays;

For craftsmen imitate what they have seen,

And skilful hands remake what once has been. 34

Gild-warden and Clerk. Do these jewels belong to Charudatta?

Ch&rudatta. Never!

Gild-warden and Clerk. To whom then?

1 This refers to the fallen jewels.

150 ACT THE NINTH [153.12 s.

Charudatta. To this lady's daughter.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How did she lose them?

Charudatta. She lost them. Yes, so much is true.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Charudatta, speak the truth in this matter.

For you must remember,

Truth brings well-being in its train;

Through speaking truth, no evils rise;

Truth, precious syllable! Refrain

From hiding truth in lies. 35

Charudatta. The jewels, the jewels! I do not know. But I do know

that they were taken from my house.

Sansth&naka. Firsht you take her into the garden and murder

her. And now you hide it by tricky trickinessh.

Judge. Noble Charudatta, speak the truth!

Merciless lashes wait to smite

This moment on thy tender flesh ;

And we we can but think it right. 36

Charudatta. Of sinless sires I boast my birth,

And sin in me was never found ;

Yet if suspicion taints my worth,

What boots it though my heart be sound? 37

[Aside.] And yet I know not what to do with life, so I be robbed

of Vasantasena. [Aloud.] Ah, why waste words?

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame,

Nor think of earth, nor heaven blest;

That sweetest maid, in passion's flame

But he will say the rest. 38

Sansthftnaka. Killed her! Come, you shay it too. "I killed her."

Charudatta. You have said it.

Sansthanaka. Lishten, my mashters, lishten! He murdered her! No

one but him! Doubt is over. Let punishment be inflicted on the

body of thish poor Charudatta.

P. mi] THE TRIAL 151

Judge. Beadle, we must do as the king's brother-in-law says.

Guardsmen, lay hold on this Charudatta. [The guardsmen do so.]

Mother. Be merciful, good gentlemen, be merciful! [She repeats

what she had said before, beginning "When the golden casket:"

page 143.] If my daughter is killed, she is killed. Let him live for

me bless him! And besides, a lawsuit is a matter between plaintiff

and defendant. I am the real plaintiff. So let him go free !

Sansth&naka. You shlave, get out of the way ! What have you got

to shay about him?

Judge. Go, madam. Guardsmen, conduct her forth.

Mother. Oh, my child, my son! [Exit weeping.

Sansthanaka. [Aside.] I 've done shomething worthy of myshelf.

Now 1 '11 go. [Exit.

Judge. Noble Charudatta, the decision lies with us, but the rest

depends on the king. And yet, beadle, let King Palaka be reminded

of this :

The Brahman who has sinned, our laws declare,

May not be slain, but banished from the realm,

And with his wealth entire abroad may fare. 39

Beadle. Yes, Your Honor. [He goes out, then reenters in tears.]

Oh, sirs, I was with the king. And King Palaka says: "Inasmuch

as he killed Vasantasena for such a trifle, these same jewels shall

be hung about his neck, the drum shall be beaten, he shall be conducted

to the southern burying-ground, and there impaled." And

whoever else shall commit such a crime, shall be punished with

the like dreadful doom.

Charudatta. Oh, how wanton is this act of King Palaka! Nevertheless,

Although his counsellors may plunge a king

Into injustice' dangers great,

Yet he will reap the woe and suffering;

And 't is a righteous fate. 40

And more than this :

152 ACT THE NINTH [155.103.

They who pervert the king's true bent,

The white crow's part who play,

Have slain their thousands innocent,

And slay, and slay, and slay. 41

My friend Maitreya, go, greet the mother of my son in my name

for the last time. And keep my son Rohasena free from harm.

Maitreya. When the root is cut away, how can the tree be saved?

Chftrudatta. No, not so.

When man departs to worlds above,

In living son yet liveth he;

Bestow on Rohasena love

No less than that thou gavest me. 42

Maitreya. Oh, my friend! I will prove myself your friend by continuing

the life that you leave unfinished.

Chftrudatta. And let me see Rohasena for a single moment.

Maitreya. I will. It is but fitting.

Judge. My good beadle, remove this man. [The beadle does so.]

Who is there? Let the headsmen receive their orders. [The guardsmen

loose their hold on Chftrudatta, and all of them go out.']

Beadle. Come with me, sir.

Charudatta. [Mournfully repeats the verse, page 146, beginning

"My friend Maitreya!" Then, as if speaking to one not present.]

If you had proved my conduct by the fire,

By water, poison, scales, and thus had known

That I deserved that saws should bite my bone,

My Brahman's frame, more could I not desire.

You trust a foeman, slay me thus ? 'T is well.

With sons, and sons' sons, now you plunge to hell ! 43

I come ! I come ! [Exeunt omnes.

ACT THE TENTH

THE END

[Enter Charudatta, accompanied by two headsmen.]

Headsmen. 'T^HEN think no longer of the pain;

A In just a second you '11 be slain.

We understand the fashions new

To fetter you and kill you too.

In chopping heads we never fail,

Nor when the victim we impale. 1

Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! This is the noble

Charudatta.

The oleander on his brow,

In headsmen's hands you see him now;

Like a lamp whose oil runs nearly dry,

His light fades gently, ere it die. 2

Charudatta. [Gloomily.']

My body wet by tear-drops falling, falling;

My limbs polluted by the clinging mud;

Flowers from the graveyard torn, my wreath appalling;

For ghastly sacrifice hoarse ravens calling,

And for the fragrant incense of my blood. 3

Headsmen. Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

Why gaze upon the good man so ?

The ax of death soon lays him low.

Yet good men once sought shelter free,

Like birds, upon this kindly tree. 4

Come, Charudatta, come!

Charudatta. Incalculable are the ways of human destiny, that I

am come to such a plight!

Red marks of hands in sandal paste

O'er all my body have been placed;

154 ACT THE TENTH [157.193.

The man, with meal and powder strewn,

Is now to beast of offering grown. 5

[He gazes intently before him.] Alas for human differences!

[Mournfully.]

For when they see the fate that I must brave,

With tears for death's poor victim freely given,

The citizens cry "shame," yet cannot save,

Can only pray that I attain to heaven. 6

Headsmen. Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! Why do

you gaze upon him ?

God Indra moving through the sky,

1

The calving cow, the falling star,

The good man when he needs must die,

These four behold not from afar. 7

Goha. Look, Ahlnta! Look, man!

While he, of citizens the best,

Goes to his death at fate's behest,

Does heaven thus weep that he must die?

Does lightning paint the cloudless sky ? 8

Ahinta. Goha, man,

The heaven weeps not that he must die,

Nor lightning paints the cloudless sky ;

Yet streams are falling constantly

From many a woman's clouded eye. 9

And again :

While this poor victim to his death is led,

No man nor woman here but sorely weeps;

And so the dust, by countless tear-drops fed,

Thus peacefully upon the highway sleeps. 10

Charudatta. [Gazes intently. Mournfully.']

These women, in their palaces who stay,

From half-shut windows peering, thus lament,

1 That is, the lightning.

P. 258.12] THE END 155

"Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!"

And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. 11

Headsmen. Come, Charudatta, come! Here is the place of proclamation.

Beat the drum and proclaim the sentence.

Listen, good people, listen! This is the noble Charudatta, son

of Sagaradatta, and grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta. This

malefactor enticed the courtezan Vasantasena into the deserted

old garden Pushpakaranda, and for a mere trifle murdered her by

strangling. He was taken with the booty, and confessed his guilt.

Therefore are we under orders from King Palaka to execute him.

And if any other commit such a crime, accursed in this world and

the next, him too King Palaka condemns to the like punishment.

Charudatta. [Despondently. Aside.']

By hundred sacrifices purified,

My radiant name

Was once proclaimed by countless altars' side,

And knew no blame.

Now comes my hour of death, and evil men

Of baser fame

In public spots proclaim it once again,

But linked with shame. 12

[He looks up and stops his ears.] Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved!

From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red,

Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair,

My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed.

How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread,

To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? 13

Headsmen. Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

This treasure-house, with pearls of virtue stored,

This bridge for good men o'er misfortune's river,

This gem now robbed of all its golden hoard,

Departs our town to-day, departs forever. 14

And again:

156 ACT THE TENTH [159.155.

Whom fortune favors, find

That all the world is kind ;

Whose happy days are ended,

Are rarely thus befriended. 15

Charudatta. [Looks about him.]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding,

They stand afar, whom once I counted friends :

Even foes have smiles for men with Fortune biding;

But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. 16

Headsmen. They are out of the way. The street is cleared. Lead

on the condemned criminal.

Charudatta. [Sighing.]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow!

My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain !

My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low

By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know

That all thy childish games are played in vain.

Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! (ix. 29)

Voices behind the scenes. My father! Oh, my friend!

Charudatta. [Listens. Mournfully.] You are a leader in your own

caste. I would beg a favor at your hands.

Headsmen. From our hands you would receive a favor ?

Charudatta. Heaven forbid ! Yet a headsman is neither so wanton

nor so cruel as King Palaka. That I may be happy in the other

world, I ask to see the face of my son.

Headsmen. So be it.

A voice behind the scenes. My father! oh, my father! [Charudatta

hears the words, and mournfully repeats his request.]

Headsmen. Citizens, make way a moment. Let the noble Charudatta

look upon the face of his son. [ Turning to the back of the

stage.] This way, sir! Come on, little boy!

P. 26i. 15] THE END 157

[Enter Maitreya, with Rohasena.]

Maitreya. Make haste, my boy, make haste ! Your father is being

led to his death.

Rohasena. My father! oh, my father!

Maitreya. Oh, my friend! Where must I behold you now?

Ch&rudatta. [Perceives his son and hisfriend.] Alas, my son! Alas,

Maitreya! [Mournfully.] Ah, woe is me!

Long, too long, shall I thirst in vain

Through all my sojourn dread;

This vessel l small will not contain

The water for the dead. 17

What may I give my son? [He looks at himself\ and perceives the

sacrificial cord.] Ah, this at least is mine.

The precious cord that Brahmans hold

Is unadorned with pearls and gold;

Yet, girt therewith, they sacrifice

To gods above and fathers2 old. 18

[He gives Rohasena the cord.]

Goha. Come, Charudatta! Come, man!

Ahlnta. Man, do you name the noble Charudatta's name, and forget

the title? Remember:

In happy hours, in death, by night, by day,

Roving as free as a yet unbroken colt,

Fate wanders on her unrestricted way. 19

And again :

Life will depart his body soon ;

Shall our reproaches bow his head ?

Although eclipse may seize the moon,

We worship while it seems but dead. 20

Rohasena. Oh, headsmen, where are you leading my father?

1 Rohasena is himself conceived as the receptacle of the water which a son must pour as a

drink-offering to his dead father. 2 The Manes or spirits of the blessed dead.

158 ACT THE TENTH [lai.ios.

Ch&rudatta. My darling,

About my neck I needs must wear

The oleander-wreath ;

Upon my shoulder I must bear

The stake, and in my heart the care

Of near-approaching death.

I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending,

A victim, at the fatal altar bending. 21

Goha. My boy,

Not we the headsmen are,

Though born of headsman race;

Thy father's life who mar,

These, these are headsmen base. 22

Rohasena. Then why do you murder my father?

Goka. Bless you, 't is the king's orders must bear the blame, not we.

Rohasena. Kill me, and let father go free.

Goha. Bless you, may you live long for saying that!

Ch&rudatta. [Tearfully embracing 1m son.]

This treasure love this taste of heaven,

To rich and poor alike is given ;

Than sandal better, or than balm,

To soothe the heart and give it calm. 23

About my neck I needs must wear

The oleander-wreath,

Upon my shoulder I must bear

The stake, and in my heart the care

Of near-approaching death.

I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending,

A victim, at the fatal altar bending. (21)

[He looks about. Aside.]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding,

They stand afar, whom once I counted friends:

P. 264.7] THE END 159

Even foes have smiles (16)

Maitreya. My good men, let my dear friend Charudatta go free,

and kill me instead.

Charudatta. Heaven forbid! [He looks about. Aside.] Now I understand.

for men with Fortune biding;

But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. (16)

[Aloud.] These women, in their palaces who stay,

From half-shut windows peering, thus lament,

"Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!"

And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. (11)

Goha. Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way 1

Why gaze upon the good man so,

When shame his living hope lays low?

The cord was broken at the well,

And down the golden pitcher fell. 24?

Ch&rudatta. [Mournfully.]

From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red,

Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair,

My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed.

How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread,

To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? (13)

Ahlnta. Proclaim the sentence again, man. [Goha does so.]

Charud. So lowly fallen ! till shame my virtues blur,

Till such an ending seem not loss, but gain !

Yet o'er my heart there creeps a saddening pain,

To hear them cry abroad " You murdered her!" 25

[Enter Sth&varaka, fettered, in the palace tower.]

Sthftvaraka. [After listening to the proclamation. In distress.]

What! the innocent Charudatta is being put to death? And my

master has thrown me into chains ! Well, I must shout to them.

Listen, good gentlemen, listen ! It was I, wretch that I am, who

160 ACT THE TENTH

carried Vasantasena to the old garden Pushpakaranda, because

she mistook my bullock-cart for another. And then my master,

Sansthanaka, found that she would not love him, and it was he,

not this gentleman, who murdered her by strangling. But they

are so far away that no one hears me. What shall I do? Shall I cast

myself down? [He reflects.] If I do, then the noble Charudatta

will not be put to death. Yes, through this broken window I will

throw myself down from the palace tower. Better that I should

meet my end, than that the noble Charudatta should perish, this

tree of life for noble youths. And if I die in such a cause, I have

attained heaven. [He throws himself down.] Wonderful! I did not

meet my end, and my fetters are broken. So I will follow the

sound of the headsmen's voices. [He discovers the /leadsmen, and

hastensforward.] Headsmen, headsmen, make way!

Headsmen. For whom shall we make way?

Sthavaraka. Listen, good gentlemen, listen! It was I, wretch that

I am, who carried Vasantasena to the old garden Pushpakaranda,

because she mistook my bullock-cart for another. And then my

master, Sansthanaka, found that she would not love him, and it

was he, not this gentleman, who murdered her by strangling.

Charudatta. Thank heaven!

But who thus gladdens this my latest morn,

When in Time's snare I struggle all forlorn,

A streaming cloud above the rainless corn ? 26

Listen! do you hear what I say?

Death have I never feared, but blackened fame ;

My death were welcome, coming free from shame,

As were a son, new-born to bear my name. 27

And again:

That small, weak fool, whom I have never hated,

Stained me with sin wherewith himself was mated,

An arrow, with most deadly poison baited. 28

Headsmen. Are you telling the truth, Sthavaraka ?

P. 266. is] THE END 161

Sthavaraka. I am. And to keep me from telling anybody, he cast

me into chains, and imprisoned me in the tower of his palace.

[Enter Sansthanaka.']

Sansthanaka. [Gleefully.~\

I ate a shour and bitter dish

Of meat and herbs and shoup and fish ;

I tried at home my tongue to tickle

With rice-cakes plain, and rice with treacle. 29

[He listens.] The headsmen's voices ! They shound like a broken

brass cymbal. I hear the music of the fatal drum and the kettledrums,

and sho I shuppose that that poor man, Charudatta, is

being led to the place of execution. I musht go and shee it. It is

a great delight to shee my enemy die. Beshides, I Ve heard that

a man who shees his enemy being killed, is sure not to have shore

eyes in his next birth. I acted like a worm that had crept into the

knot of a lotush-root. I looked for a hole to crawl out at, and

brought about the death of thish poor man, Charudatta. Now I '11

climb up the tower of my own palace, and have a look at my

own heroic deeds. [He does so and looks about.] Wonderful what

a crowd there is, to shee that poor man led to his death! What

would it be when an arishtocrat, a big man like me, was being

led to his death? [He gazes.] Look! There he goes toward the

shouth, adorned like a young shteer. But why was the proclamation

made near my palace tower, and why was it shtopped ? [He

looks about.] Why, my shlave Sthavaraka is gone, too. I hope he

has n't run away and betrayed the shecret. I musht go and look for

him. [He descends and approaches the crowd.]

Sthavaraka. [Discovers him.'] There he comes, good masters!

Headsmen. Give way! Make room! And shut the door!

Be silent, and say nothing more!

Here comes a mad bull through the press,

Whose horns are sharp with wickedness. 30

162 ACT THE TENTH

Sansthanaka. Come, come, make way ! [He approaches.] Sthavaraka,

my little shon, my shlave, come, let 's go home.

Sthavaraka. You scoundrel! Are you not content with the murder

of Vasantasena? Must you try now to murder the noble Charudatta,

that tree of life to all who loved him?

Sansthanaka. I am beautiful as a pot of jewels. I kill no woman !

Bystanders. Oho! you murdered her, not the noble Charudatta.

Sansthanaka. Who shays that?

Bystanders. [Pointing to Sthavaraka.'] This honest man.

Sansthanaka. [Fearfully. Aside.] Merciful heavens! Why didn't

I chain that shlave Sthavaraka fasht? Why, he was a witnessh of

my crime. [He reflects.] I '11 do it thish way. [Aloud.] Lies, lies,

good gentlemen. Why, I caught the shlave shtealing gold, and I

pounded him, and murdered him, and put him in chains. He hates

me. What he shays can't be true. [He secretly hands Sthavaraka

a bracelet, and whispers.] Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave,

take thish and shay shomething different.

Sthavaraka. [Takes it.] Look, gentlemen, look! Why, he is trying

to bribe me with gold.

Sansthanaka. [Snatches the braceletfrom him.] That 's the gold that

I put him in chains for. [Angrily.] Look here, headsmen! I put

him in charge of my gold-chest, and when he turned thief, I murdered

him and pounded him. If you don't believe it, jusht look

at his back.

Headsmen. [Doing so.] Yes, yes. When a servant is branded that

way, no wonder he tells tales.

Sthavaraka. A curse on slavery! A slave convinces nobody.

[Mournfully.] Noble Charudatta, I have no further power. [He

falls at Charudatta's feet.]

Charudatta. [Mournfully.]

Rise, rise! Kind soul to good men fallen on pain!

Brave friend who lendest such unselfish aid !

p. 7o.i5] THE END 163

Thy greatest toil to save me was in vain,

For fate would not. Thy duty now is paid. 31

Headsmen. Beat your servant, master, and drive him away.

Sansthftnaka. Out of the way, you! [He drives Sthavaraka away.]

Come, headsmen, what are you waiting for? Kill him.

Headsmen. Kill him yourself, if you are in a hurry.

Rohasena. Oh, headsmen, kill me and let father go free.

Sansth&naka. Yesh, shon and father, kill them both.

Charudatta. This fool might do anything. Go, my son, to your

mother.

Rohasena. And what should I do then ?

Charud. Go with thy mother to a hermitage;

No moment, dear, delay;

Lest of thy father's fault thou reap the wage,

And tread the selfsame way. 32

And you, my friend, go with him.

Maitreya. Oh, my friend, have you so known me as to think that

I can live without you?

Charudatta. Not so, my friend. Your life is your own. You may

not throw it away.

Maitreya. [Aside.] True. And yet I cannot live apart from my

friend. And so, when I have taken the boy to his mother, I will

follow my friend even in death. [Aloud.] Yes, my friend, I will

take him to her at once. [He embraces Charudatta, then falls at

hisfeet. RoJmsena docs the same, weeping.}

Sansthtinaka. Look here ! Did n't I tell you to kill Charudatta, and

his shon, too? [At this, Charudatta betraysfearJ]

Headsmen. We have n't any orders from the king to kill Charudatta,

and his son, too. Run away, boy, run away! [They drive

Rohasena away.] Here is the third place of proclamation. Beat the

drum! [They proclaim the sentence again.]

164 ACT THE TENTH [IOT.IS.

Sansthftnaka. [Aside.] But the citizens don't believe it. [Aloud.]

Charudatta, you jackanapes, the citizens don't believe it. Shay it

with your own tongue,

" I murdered Vasantasena." [Charudatta remains

silent.] Look here, headsmen ! The man won't shpeak, the

jackanapes Charudatta. Jusht make him shpeak. Beat him a few

times with thish ragged bamboo, or with a chain.

Goha. [Raises his arm to strike.] Come, Charudatta, speak !

Charudatta. [Mournfully.]

Now am I sunk so deep in sorrow's sea,

I know no fear, I know no sadness more;

Yet even now one flame still tortures me,

That men should say I slew whom I adore. 33

[Sansth&naka repeats his words]

Charudatta. Men of my own city !

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame,

Nor seek in heaven to be blest;

A maid or goddess 'tis the same

But he will say the rest. (ix. 30)

Sansthanaka. Killed her!

Charudatta. So be it.

Goha. It 's your turn to kill him, man.

Ahlnta. No, yours.

Goha. Well, let 's reckon it out. [He does so at great length] Well,

if it 's my turn to kill him, we will just let it wait a minute.

Ahlnta. Why?

Goha. Well, when my father was going to heaven, he said to me,

" Son Goha, if it 's your turn to kill him, don't kill the sinner too

quick."

Ahlnta. But why?

Goha. "Perhaps," said he, "some good man might give the money

to set him free. Perhaps a son might be born to the king, and to

celebrate the event, all the prisoners might be set free. Perhaps

p. 274.8] THE END 165

an elephant might break loose, and the prisoner might escape in

the excitement. Perhaps there might be a change of kings, and all

the prisoners might be set free."

Sansthanaka. What? What? A change of kings?

Goha. Well, let 's reckon it out, whose turn it is.

Sansthanaka. Oh, come! Kill Charudatta at once. [He takes Sthavaraka,

and withdraws a little.]

Headsmen. Noble Charudatta, it is the king's commandment that

bears the blame, not we headsmen. Think then of what you needs

must think.

Charudatta. Though slandered by a cruel fate,

And stained by men of high estate,

If that my virtue yet regarded be,

Then she who dwells with gods above

Or wheresoever else my love

By her sweet nature wipe the stain from me ! 34

Tell me. Whither would you have me go ?

Gofia. [Pointing ahead.] Why, here is the southern buryingground,

and when a criminal sees that, he says good-by to life in

a minute. For look !

One half the corpse gaunt jackals rend and shake,

And ply their horrid task ;

One half still hangs impaled upon the stake,

Loud laughter's grinning mask. 85

Charudatta. Alas! Ah, woe is me! [In his agitation he sits down.]

Sansthanaka. I won't go yet. I '11 jusht shee Charudatta killed. [He

walks about, gazing.] Well, well! He shat down.

Goha. Are you frightened, Charudatta?

Chftrudatta. [Rising hastily.] Fool!

Death have I never feared, but blackened fame;

My death were welcome, coming free from shame,

As were a son, new-born to bear my name. (27)

166 ACT THE TENTH [uw.ss.

Golia. Noble Charudatta, the moon and the sun dwell in the vault

of heaven, yet even they are overtaken by disaster. How much

more, death-fearing creatures, and men! In this world, one rises

only to fall, another falls only to rise again. But from him who has

risen and falls, his body drops like a garment. Lay these thoughts

to heart, and be strong. [To AhintaJ] Here is the fourth place of

proclamation. Let us proclaim the sentence. [They do so once

again.]

Charudatta. Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved!

From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red,

Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair,

My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed.

How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread,

To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? (13)

[Enter, in great agitation, Vasantasena and the Buddhist monk.]

Monk. Strange! My monkish life did me yeoman service when it

proved necessary to comfort Vasantasena, so untimely wearied, and

to lead her on her way. Sister in Buddha, whither shall I lead you ?

f^asantasen^. To the noble Charudatta's house. Revive me with

the sight of him, as the night-blooming water-lily is revived by

the sight of the moon.

Monk. [Aside.] By which road shall I enter? [He reflects.] The

king's highway I '11 enter by that. Come, sister in Buddha!

Here is the king's highway. [Listening.] But what is this great

tumult that I hear on the king's highway?

Vasantasena. [Looking before her.] Why, there is a great crowd

of people before us. Pray find out, sir, what it means. All Ujjayini

tips to one side, as if the earth bore an uneven load.

Goha. And here is the last place of proclamation. Beat the drum!

Proclaim the sentence! [They do so.] Now, Charudatta, wait!

Don't be frightened. You will be killed very quickly.

P. 277. 12] THE END 167

Charudatta. Ye blessdd gods!

Monk. [Listens. In terror.] Sister in Buddha, Charudatta is being

led to his death for murdering you.

f^asantasena. [In terror.] Alas! For my wretched sake the noble

Charudatta put to death? Quick, quick! Oh, lead me thither!

Monk. Hasten, oh, hasten, sister in Buddha, to comfort the noble

Charudatta while he yet lives. Make way, gentlemen, make way!

Tasantasena. Make way, make way!

Goha. Noble Charudatta, it is the king's commandment that bears

the blame. Think then of what you needs must think.

Charudatta. Why waste words ?

Though slandered by a cruel fate,

And stained by men of high estate,

If that my virtue yet regarded be,

Then she who dwells with gods above

Or wheresoever else my love

By her sweet nature wipe the stain from me! (34)

Goha. [Drawing his sword.] Noble Charudatta, lie flat and be

quiet. With one stroke we will kill you and send you to heaven.

[Charudatta does so. Goha raises his arm to strike. The swordfalls

from his hand.] What is this?

I fiercely grasped within my hand

My thunderbolt-appalling brand;

Why did it fall upon the sand ? 36

But since it did, I conclude that the noble Cnarudatta is not to

die. Have mercy, O mighty goddess of the Sahya hills ! If only

Charudatta might be saved, then hadst thou shown favor to our

headsman caste.

Ahlnta. Let us do as we were ordered.

Goha. Well, let us do it. [They make ready to impale Charudatta.]

168 ACT THE TENTH [170.23 s.

Chftrud. Though slandered by a cruel fate,

And stained by men of high estate,

If that my virtue yet regarded be,

Then she who dwells with gods above

Or wheresoever else my love

By her sweet nature wipe the stain from me! (34)

Monk and Vasantasena. [Perceiving what is being done.] Good

gentlemen! Hold, hold!

Vasantasena. Good gentlemen ! I am the wretch for whose sake

he is put to death.

Goha. [Perceiving her.]

Who is the woman with the streaming hair

That smites her shoulder, loosened from its bands ?

She loudly calls upon us to forbear,

And hastens hither with uplifted hands. 37

Vasantasen^. Oh, Charudatta! What does it mean? [She falls on

his breast.]

Monk. Oh, Charudatta! What does it mean? [Hefalls at hisfeet.]

GoJia. [Anxiously withdrawing.] Vasantasena? At least, we did

not kill an innocent man.

Monk. [Rising.] Thank heaven ! Charudatta lives.

Goha. And shall live a hundred years !

Vasantasena. [Joyfully.] And I too am brought back to life again.

Goha. The king is at the place of sacrifice. Let us report to him

what has taken place. [The two headsmen start to go away.]

Sansth&naka. [Perceives Vasantasena. In terror.] Goodnessh ! who

brought the shlave back to life? Thish is the end of me. Good!

I '11 run away. [He runs away.]

Goha. [Returning.] Well, did n't we have orders from the king to

put the man to death who murdered Vasantasena? Let us hunt

for the king's brother-in-law. [Exeunt the two headsmen.

P.ssi.i] THE END 169

Charudatta. [In amazement.]

Who saves me from the uplifted weapon's scorn,

When in Death's jaws I struggled all forlorn,

A streaming cloud above the rainless corn? 38

[He gazes at her.]

Is this Vasantasena's counterfeit?

Or she herself, from heaven above descended?

Or do I but in madness see my sweet?

Or has her precious life not yet been ended ? 39

Or again : Did she return from heaven,

That I might rescued be ?

Was her form to another given?

Is this that other she? 40

Vasantasena. [Rises tearfully andfalls at his feet.] O noble Charudatta,

I am indeed the wretch for whose sake you are fallen

upon this unworthy plight.

Voices behind the scenes. A miracle, a miracle ! Vasantasena lives.

[The bystanders repeat the words.]

Chftrudatta. [Listens, then rises suddenly, embraces Vasantasena,

and closes his eyes. In a voice trembling with emotion.'] My love!

You are Vasantasena !

Vasantasena. That same unhappy woman.

Charudatta. [Gazes upon her. Joyfully.'} Can it be? Vasantasena

herself? [In utter happinessJ]

Her bosom bathed in streaming tears,

When in Death's power I fell,

Whence is she come to slay my fears,

Like heavenly magic's spell? 41

Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved!

Unto my body, whence the life was fleeting,

And all for thee, thou knewest life to give.

Oh, magic wonderful in lovers' meeting!

What power besides could make the dead man live ? 42

170 ACT THE TENTH [TO.ITS.

But see, my belov&d!

My blood-red garment seems a bridegroom's cloak,

Death's garland seems to me a bridal wreath;

My love is near.

And marriage music seems the fatal stroke

Of drums that heralded my instant death ;

For she is here. 43

Vasantasena. You with your utter kindliness, what can it be that

you have done?

Charudatta. My beloved, he said that I had killed you.

For ancient hatred's sake, my mighty foe,

Hell's victim now, had almost laid me low. 44

Vasantasena. {Stopping her ears.] Heaven avert the omen ! It was

he, the king's brother-in-law, who killed me.

Charudatta. [Perceiving the monk.} But who is this?

Vasantasen^. When that unworthy wretch had killed me, this

worthy man brought me back to life.

Charudatta. Who are you, unselfish friend?

Monk. You do not remember me, sir. I am that shampooer, who

once was happy to rub your feet. When I fell into the hands of

certain gamblers, this sister in Buddha, upon hearing that I had

been your servant, bought my freedom with her jewels. Thereupon

I grew tired of the gambler's life, and became a Buddhist

monk. Now this lady made a mistake in her bullock-cart, and so

came to the old garden Pushpakaranda. But when that unworthy

wretch learned that she would not love him, he murdered her by

strangling. And I found her there.

Loud voices behind the scenes.

Unending victory to Shiva be,

Who Daksha's offering foiled;

And victory may Karttikeya see,

Who Krauncha smote and spoiled;

P.283.il] THE END 171

And victory to Aryaka the king

His mighty foe he kills

Far over all the earth's expansive ring,

That earth her joyous flag abroad may fling,

The snowy banner of Kailasa's hills. 45

[Enter hurriedly Sharvilaka.]

Sharv. Yes, Palaka, the royal wretch, I slew,

Anointing Aryaka good king and true ;

And now, like sacrificial flowers, I wed

The king's commandment to my bended head,

To give sad Charudatta life anew. 46

The foe whose powers and friends had fled, he slew,

Consoled and comforted his subjects true ;

And earth's broad sovereignty has gladly wed

His power, and bent to him her lowly head,

Who toward his foe plays Indra's part anew. 47

[He looks before him.] Ah! There he will be found, where the

people are thus gathered together. Oh, that this deed of King

Aryaka might be crowned with the rescued life of noble Charudatta

! [He quickens his steps.] Make way, you rascals ! [He discovers

Charudatta. Joyfully.] Is Charudatta yet living, and Vasantasena?

Truly, our sovereign's wishes are fulfilled.

Now, thanks to heaven, from sorrow's shoreless sea

I see him saved by her he loved, set free

By that sweet bark, that knew her course to steer

With virtue's tackle and with goodness' gear.

He seems the moon, whose light shines clear at last,

When all the sad eclipse is overpast. 48

Yet how shall I approach him, who have so grievously sinned

against him? But no! Honesty is always honorable. [He approaches

andfolds his hands. Aloud.] O noble Charudatta!

Charudatta. Who are you, sir?

172 ACT THE TENTH [m.i3S.

Sharvilaka. 1 forced your house in manner base,

And stole the gems there left behind;

But though this sin oppress my mind,

I throw myself upon your grace. 49

Charudatta. Not so, my friend. Thereby you showed your faith

in me. [He embraces him.]

Sharvilaka. And one thing more:

The very noble Aryaka,

To save his family and name,

Has slain the wretched Palaka,

A victim at the altar's flame. 50

Charudatta. What say you?

Sharvilaka. 'T was your cart helped him on his way,

Who sought the shelter of your name ;

He slew King Palaka to-day,

A victim at the altar's flame. 51

Charudatta. Sharvilaka, did you set free that Aryaka, whom Palaka

took from his hamlet,and confined without cause in the tower ?

Sharvilaka. I did.

Charudatta. This is indeed most welcome tidings.

Sharvilaka. Scarcely was your friend Aryaka established in Ujjayini,

when he bestowed upon you the throne of Kushavati, on

the bank of the Vena. May you graciously receive this first token

of his love. [He turns around.] Come, lead hither that rascal, that

villain, the brother-in-law of the king!

Voices behind the scenes. We will, Sharvilaka.

Sharvilaka. Sir, King Aryaka declares that he won this kingdom

through your virtues, and that you are therefore to have some

benefit from it.

Charudatta. The kingdom won through my virtues?

Voices behind the scenes. Come on, brother-in-law of the king, and

p. 285.18] THE END 173

reap the reward of your insolence. {Enter Sansthanaka, guarded,

with his hands tied behind his back.]

Sansth&naka. Goodnessh gracious !

It came to pass, I ran away

Like any ass, and had my day.

They drag me round, a prishoner,

As if they 'd found a naughty cur. 52

{He looks about him.] They crowd around me, though I 'm a relative

of the king's. To whom shall I go for help in my helplesshnessh?

[He reflects] Goodl 1 11 go to the man who gives help and

shows mercy to the shuppliant. [He approaches] Noble Charudatta,

protect me, protect me ! [Hefalls at hisfeet]

Voices behind the scenes. Noble Charudatta, leave him to us! let

us kill him!

Sansthanaka. [To Charudatta] O helper of the helplessh, protect

me!

Charudatta. [Mercifully] Yes, yes. He who seeks protection shall

be safe.

Sharvilaka. {Impatiently] Confound him! Take him away from

Charudatta! [To Charudatta] Tell me. What shall be done with

the wretch?

Shall he be bound and dragged until he dies?

Shall dogs devour the scoundrel as he lies?

If he should be impaled, 'twould be no blunder,

Nor if we had the rascal sawn asunder. 53

Charudatta. Will you do as I say?

Sharvilaka. How can you doubt it?

Sansthanaka. Charudatta! Mashter! I sheek your protection. Protect

me, protect me ! Do shomething worthy of yourshelf. 1 11

never do it again!

Voices of citizens behind the scenes. Kill him! Why should the

wretch be allowed to live?

174 ACT THE TENTH iwss.

[Vasantasena takes the garland of death from Charudatta's neck,

and throws it upon Sansthanaka.]

Sansthanaka. You shlave-wench, be merciful, be merciful! I'll

never murder you again. Protect me!

Sharvilaka. Come, take him away! Noble Charudatta, say what

shall be done with the wretch.

Charudatta. Will you do as I say?

Sharvilaka. How can you doubt it?

Charudatta. Really ?

Sharvilaka. Really.

Charudatta. Then let him be immediately

Sharvilaka. Killed?

Charudatta. No, no ! Set free.

Sharvilaka. What for?

Charud. The humbled foe who seeks thine aid,

Thou mayst not smite with steely blade

Sharvilaka. All right. We will have the dogs eat him alive.

Charudatta. No, no!

Be cruelty with kindness paid. 54

Sharvilaka. Wonderful! What shall I do? Tell me, sir.

Charudatta. Why, set him free.

Sharvilaka. It shall be done.

Sansthanaka. Hooray ! I breathe again. \Eotit, with the guards.

Sharvilaka. Mistress Vasantasena, the king is pleased to bestow

upon you the title "wedded wife."

Vasantasena. Sir, I desire no more.

Sharvilaka. [Places tJw veil 1 upon Vasantasena. To Charudatta.']

Sir, what shall be done for this monk ?

Charudatta. Monk, what do you most desire?

Monk. When I see this example of the uncertainty of all things,

1 A token of honorable marriage. Compare page 66.

P.m.w] THE END 175

I am twice content to be a monk.

Ch&rudatta. His purpose is not to be changed, my friend. Let him

be appointed spiritual father over all the monasteries in the land.

Sharvilaka. It shall be done.

Monk. It is all that I desire.

Vasantasena. Now I am indeed brought back to life.

Sharvilaka. What shall be done for Sthavaraka?

Charudatta. Let the good fellow be given his freedom. Let those

headsmen be appointed chiefs of all the headsmen. Let Chandanaka

be appointed chief of all the police in the land. Let the brotherin-

law of the king continue to act exactly as he acted in the past.

Sharvilaka. It shall be done. Only that man leave him to me,

and 1 11 kill him.

ChUrudatta. He who seeks protection shall be safe.

The humbled foe who seeks thine aid,

Thou mayst not smite with steely blade.

Be cruelty with kindness paid. (54)

Sharvilaka. Then tell me what I may yet do for you.

Charudatta. Can there be more than this?

I kept unstained my virtue's even worth,

Granted my enemy his abject suit;

Friend Aryaka destroyed his foeman's root,

And rules a king o'er all the steadfast earth.

This dear-loved maiden is at last mine own,

And you united with me as a friend.

And shall I ask for further mercies, shown

To me, who cannot sound these mercies' end ? 58

Fate plays with us like buckets at the well,

Where one is filled, and one an empty shell,

Where one is rising, while another falls ;

And shows how life is change now heaven, now hell. 59

Yet may the wishes of our epilogue be fulfilled.

176 ACT THE TENTH [m.9S.

EPILOGUE

JVlAY kine yield streaming milk, the earth her grain,

And may the heaven give never-failing rain,

The winds waft happiness to all that breathes,

And all that lives, live free from every pain.

In paths of righteousness may Brahmans tread,

And high esteem their high deserving wed ;

May kings in justice' ways be ever led,

And earth, submissive, bend her grateful head. 60

[Exeunt omnes.']

A LIST OF PASSAGES

IN WHICH THE TRANSLATION DEPARTS FROM PARAfi's TEXT

35.15 : Here nirmitah is apparently a mere misprint for nirjitah.

45.11 : The addition of uttlwdha tti seems almost necessary.

53.10; 54.9; 55.11; 62.7; 66.7 : In these passages I have substituted "shampooer"

for "gambler," to prevent confusion of the shampooer with the unnamed

gambler.

57.13 : I have added the stage-direction dyutakaramandalim krtvd.

67.5 : Read kam for kirn.

72.9 : Read ajjo bandhuanam samassasidum for Parab's ajja bandhuano samassasadu.

73.5 : We should probably read blhaccham (blbhatsam) for vlhattharii.

87.3 : The words cikitsdni krtvd seem to be part of the text, not of the stagedirection.

97.13 : I regard nayasya as one word, not two (na yasya).

100.12 : Read rahxan for raksyan.

114.5 : Read naaranari- for naranari-.

125.8-11 : These lines I have omitted.

126.4 : Read accharla- (fycarya-) for accharidi-.

170.8 : Read eka- for eka-.

178.11 : Read vaddhamdnao for vaddhamdnaa.

184.9 : Read a (ca) for ka.

217.15 : Whatever favodiam may be, I have translated it in accordance with

Lalladiksita's gloss, savestikam.

226.2 : Apparently khala- is a misprint for khana-.

238.10 : Read -ruciram for -racitam.

259.16 : Read udvlksya for iidvyya.

262.4 : Read -bhajanam for -bhqjanam.

262.14 : Read padicchidam (prafiftam) for padicchidum.

265.6 : Read tvaya for maya.

284.14 : The words atha vd plainly belong to the text, not to the stage-direction.

287.2 : I take paurdh as part of the stage-direction.

288.3-292.9 : This passage I have omitted: compare page xii.

Harvard Oriental Series

EDITED, WITH THE COOPERATION OF VARIOUS SCHOLARS, BY

CHARLES ROCKWELL LANMAN

PROFESSOR OF SANSKRIT IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Published by Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

United States of America

%* A copy of any one of these volumes, postage paid, may be obtained directly anyiohere vrithin

the limits of the Universal Postal Union by sending a Postal Order for the price as given below,

to The Publication Agent of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

of America.

%* The price per volume of the royal octavos is one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50 ) = 6 shillings

and 2 pence = 6 marks ana 27 pfennigs = 7 francs or Lire and 70 centimes = 5 kroner and 58

ore = $ florins and 70 cents Netherlandish, brom this, the approximate equivalents of the other

prices may be estimated. The precise equivalents may be learned at any post-office that issues

money-orders.

VOLUME I. The Jataka-mala: or Bodhisattva-avadana-mala, by

Arya-^ura ; edited by HENDRIK KERN, Professor in the University of Leiden,

Netherlands. 1891. Royal 8vo, bound in cloth, xiv + 254 pages, price $1.50.

This is the editio princeps of a collection of Buddhist stories in Sanskrit. The text is printed in

Nagari characters. An English translation of this work, by Professor Speyer, has been published

in Professor Max Muller's Sacred Books of the Buddhists, London, Henry Frowde, 1895.

VOLUME II. The Samkhya-pravacana-bhasya: or Commentary

on the exposition of the Sankhya philosophy, by Vijnana-bhiksu : edited by

RICHARD GARBE, Professor in the University of Tubingen. 1895. Royal 8vo,

bound in buckram, xiv + 196 pages, price $1.50.

This volume contains the original Sanskrit text of the Sankhya Aphorisms and of Vijftana's

Commentary, all printed in Roman letters. It is of especial interest in that Vijfiana, not accepting

the atheistic doctrine of the original Sankhya, here comes out as a defender of downright

theism. A German translation of the whole work was published by Professor Garbe in

the Abhandlungen fur die Kunde des Morgenlandes, vol. ix., Leipzig, Brockhaus, 1889. "In

spite of all the false assumptions and the errors of which Vijnana-bhiksu is undoubtedly guilty,

his Commentary ... is after all the one and only work which instructs us concerning many

particulars of the doctrines of what is, in my estimation, the most significant system of philosophy

that India has produced.

1 ' Editor's Preface.

VOLUME III. Buddhism in Translations. By HENRY CLARKE

WARREN. 1896. 8vo, buckram, xx + 520 pages, price $1.20.

This is a series of extracts from Pali writings, done into English, and so arranged as to give

a general idea of Ceylonese Buddhism. The work consists of over a hundred selections, comprised

in five chapters of about one hundred pages each. Of these, chapters ii., iii., and iv. are

on Buddhist doctrine, and concern themselves respectively with the philosophical conceptions

that underlie the Buddhist religious system, with the doctrine of Karma and rebirth, and with

the scheme of salvation from misery. Chapter i. gives the account of the previous existences

of Gotama Buddha and of his life in the last existence up to the attainment of Buddhaship ;

while the sections of chapter v. are about Buddhist monastic life.

VOLUME IV. Raja-^ekhara's Karpura-maiijari, a drama by the

Indian poet Raja-cekhara (about 900 A.D.): critically edited in the original

Prakrit, with a glossarial index and an essay on the life and writings of the

poet, by Dr. STEN KONOW, of the University of Christiania, Norway; and translated

into English with notes by Professor LANMAN. 1901. Royal 8vo, buckram,

xxviii +^89 pages, price $1.50.

Here for the first time in the history of Indian philology we have the text of a Prakrit play

presented to us in strictly correct Prakrit. Dr. Konow is a pupil of Professor Pischel of Berlin,

whose Prakrit grammar has made his authority upon this subject of the very highest. The

proofs have had the benefit of Professor Pischel's revision. The importance of the play is primarily

linguistic rather than literary.

VOLUMESV. AND VI. The Brhad-Devata, attributed to (^aunaka,

a summary of the deities and myths of the Rig-Veda: critically edited in the

original Sanskrit with an introduction and seven appendices, and translated

into English with critical and illustrative notes, by ARTHUR A. MACDONKLL,

Boden Professor of Sanskrit in the University of Oxford, and Fellow of Balliol

College. 1904. Royal 8vo, buckram, xxxvi + 198 andxvi + 334 pages, price per

volume $1.50.

Volume V. (or Part I.) contains the introduction and text and appendices. Volume VI. (or Part

II.) contains the translation and notes. The arrangement of the material in two volumes is such

that the student can have the text of any given passage, together with the translation of that

passage and the critical apparatus and the illustrative notes thereto appurtenant, all opened

out before his eyes at one time, without having constantly to turn from one part of the volume

to another, as is necessary with the usual arrangement of such matter.

VOLUMES VII. AND VIII. Atharva-Veda Saihhita, translated,

with a critical and exegetical commentary, by WILLIAM DWICJHT WHITNEY, late

Professor of Sanskrit in Yale University. Revised and brought nearer to completion

and edited by CHARLES ROCKWELL LANMAN, Professor of Sanskrit in

Harvard University. 1905. Royal 8vo, buckram, clxii-f-1044 ( = 1206) pages,

price of the two volumes $5.00.

This work includes, in the first place, critical notes upon the text, giving the various readings

of the manuscripts, and not alone of those collated by Whitney in Europe, but also of those

of the apparatus used by S. P. Pandit in the great Bombay edition. Second, the readings of

the Paippalada or Cashmere version, furnished by the late Professor Roth. Further, notice of

the corresponding passages in all the other Vedic texts, with report of the various readings.

Further, the data of the Hindu scholiast respecting authorship, divinity, and meter of each

verse. Also, references to the ancillary literature, especially to the well-edited Kaucika and

Vaitana Sutras, with account of the ritualistic use therein made of the hymns or parts of hymns,

so far as this appears to cast any light upon their meaning. Also, extracts from the printed

commentary. And, finally, a simple literal translation, with introduction and indices. Prefixed

to the work proper is an elaborate critical and historical introduction.

[ 2]

VOLUME IX. The Little Clay Cart (Mrcchakatika), a Hindu

drama attributed to King Shudraka, translated from the original Sanskrit and

Prakrits into English prose and verse by ARTHUR WILLIAM RYDER, Ph.D.,

Instructor in Sanskrit in Harvard University. 1905. Royal 8vo, buckram, xxx

-fl 77 pages, price $1.50.

VOLUME X. A Vedic Concordance: being an alphabetic index

to every line of every stanza of every hymn of the published Vedic literature,

and to every sacrificial and ritual formula thereof. By MAURICE BLOOMFIELD,

Professor of Sanskrit and Comparative Philology in Johns Hopkins University.

The work, with which Bloomfield has been busy for over a dozen years, will form a royal

quarto of about 1100 pages. Of these, fully 800 are already printed (June, 1905); the completely

revised manuscript of the remainder is at the press ; and it is hoped that the printing

will be finished soon after Jan. 1, 1906. For an account of the work, see the last page of vol. iv.

of this Series. The Concordance will serve as a register of the varietas lectionis for the texts

of the Vedic literature, and thus prove to be an auxiliary of the very first importance in the

work of making new editions of the Vedic texts ; and many subsidiary uses of BloomfiekTs collections

will suggest themselves to scholars.

IN PREPARATION

No promise of a definite time for the completion and appearance of any of the following

works mil under any circumstances be given ; they are nevertheless in such a state of advancement

that some public announcement concerning them may properly be made.

Buddha-ghosa's Way of Purity ( Fwuddhi-magga), a systematic

treatise of Buddhist doctrine by Buddha-ghosa (about 400 A. D.): critically

edited in the original Pali by the late HENRY CLARKE WARREN, of Cambridge,

Massachusetts.

The "Way of Purity," which has been for fifteen centuries one of the " books of power" in

the East, is, as Childers says,

** a truly great work, written in terse and lucid language, and showing

a marvelous grasp of the subject.

1 ' Mr. Warren published an elaborate analysis of the entire

treatise in the Journal of the Pali Trjct Society for 1891-93, pages 76-164. His plan was to

issue a scholarly edition of the Pali text of the work, with full but well-sifted critical apparatus,

a complete English translation, an index of names, and other useful appendices, and to trace

back to their sources all the quotations which Buddha-ghosa constantly makes from the writings

of his predecessors. The text, it is hoped, may be published without too much further

labor on the part of the editor of the Series.

Mr. Warren died in January, 1899, in the forty-fifth year of his age. Accounts of his life and

work may be found in the (New York) Nation for Jan. 12, 1899; in the Harvard Graduates'

Magazine for March, 1899; in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society for April, 1899 (with a

list of his writings) ; in the (Chicago) Open Court for June, 1899 ; or in the Journal of the American

Oriental Society, vol. xx., second half.

Buddha-ghosa's Way of Purity, a systematic treatise of Buddhist

doctrine, translated into English from the original Pali of H. C. Warren's

edition, by the late HENRY CLARKE WARREN and CHARLES ROCKWELL LANMAK.

Mr. Warren had made a large part (about one third) of the translation. With this part as a

help and guide, the editor of the Series hopes to complete the version and to publish it as soon

as is feasible. The text and translation will perhaps take three or four volumes.

The Pancha-tantra, according to the recension of the Jaina monk

Purna-bhadra (about 1200 A.D.), critically edited in the original Sanskrit by

Dr. JOHANNES HERTEL, of the Royal Gymnasium of Doebeln in Saxony, and

Dr. RICHARD SCHMIDT, of the University of Halle.

The basis of Doctor Schmidt's excellent version of the Pancha-tantra was a text prepared by

him from several European manuscripts. In the meantime, Doctor Hertel has procured a very

large amount of manuscript material from India, chiefly from Poona, has subjected the same

to searching critical study, and is embodying his results, so far as they concern the actual

readings, in a thorough revision of the printer's copy of the text. The other results of his

labors have been published in several periodicals, especially the BerichU der Kon. Sdchaischen

Qesellschaft der Wissenschaften for April, 1902, and in recent volumes of the Zeitschrift der

Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gestllschaft (Ivi., Ivii., Iviii., lix.). Thearada-MS., numbered viii.

145 in the Catalogue of the Deccan College MSS. and containing the Tantra-akhyayika or

Kashmirian recension of the Pancha-tantra, has proved to be of such great importance for

the history of this branch of Sanskrit literature that Doctor Hertel has published it (Abhandlungenof

the Saxon Society, vol. xxii., 1904), not as a definitive text-edition, but as part of

a literary-historical investigation and as one of the essential preliminaries for the edition of

Purna-bhadra's recension to be issued in the Harvard Series. It appears that the last-named

recension is a fusion of the Tantra-akhyayika and the so-called Textus Simplicior of the Panchatantra.

The Pancha-tantra, translated into English from the original

Sanskrit of the recension of Purna-bhadra, by PAUL ELMER MORE, sometime

Assistant in Sanskrit in Harvard University, now of the Editorial Staff of the

New York Evening Post.

This version, prepared several years ago from Doctor Schmidt's manuscript copy by Mr. More,

has yet to be so revised as to bring it into conformity with the meantime thoroughly revised

text of Purna-bhadra's recension. Apart from the intrinsic interest and merit of the stories of

which the Pancha-tantra consists, this translation makes an especial appeal to students of

Indian antiquities, of folk-lore, and of the history of popular tales.

History of the Beast-fable of India, with especial reference to the

Pancha-tantra and to the related literature of Southwestern Asia and of Medieval

Europe, by Dr. JOHANNES HERTEL of the Royal Gymnasium of Doebeln

in Saxony.

Although this volume is primarily designed to be an introduction to Purna-bhadra's Panchatantra,

its scope is nevertheless such that it may with propriety be entitled a History of the

Beast-fable of India. The definitive arrangement of the material is not yet settled, but the general

plan may be given under six headings.

I. Brief outline of the incidents of each story, together with a reference for each story to its

precise place in the original Sanskrit text, the method of citation to be such that the same

reference will apply with equal facility to either the text or the translation or the apparatus

criticus or the commentary.

II. Tabular conspectus of strophes and stories contained in forms of the Pancha-tantra

anterior to Purna-bhadra.

III. Apparatus criticus. 1. Account of the MSS. collated. 2. A piece of the text printed in

several parallel forms side by side (Tantra-akhyayika, Simplicior, Ornatior) as a specimen,

to illustrate the relative value of the several MSS. and Purna-bhadra's way of constructing his

recension. 3. Readings of the MSS. Bh, bh, A, P, p, etc.

[4]

IV. Introduction to the text of Purna-bhadra. A. First part, extending to the death, in 1881,

of Benfey. 1. Editions: Kosegarten's ; Kielhorn-Biihler's ; other Indian editions. 2. Translations:

of Benfey, Lancereau, Pavolini, Fritze, Galanos. 3. Semitic recensions and their effluxes.

4. Benfey's results as contained in his Pantachatantra of 1859 and his Introduction to BickelFs

Old Syriac Kalilag und Damnag of 1876. B. Second part, from the death of Benfey. 5. Bibliography

of the various treatises. 6. History of the Sanskrit Pancha-tantra. Form, age, and name

of the original Pancha-tantra. 7. The Brahmanical recensions of the work: Gunadhya, Nepalese

fragment, etc.; Tantra-akhyayika; Southern Pancha-tantra. 8. Jaina recensions: so-called

Simplicior, its age, etc.; so-called Ornatior, author, age, etc.; Megha-vijaya ; later recensions;

mixed recensions. 9. Buddhist recension, Tantra-akhyana.

V. Notes to the several stories of Purna-bhadra's text. Parallels in the Jataka, etc. References

to Benfey.

VI. Indices. 1. Of names. 2. Of things. 3. Of verses. 4. Of meters.

The (^akuntala, a Hindu drama by Kalidasa: the Bengali recension

critically edited in the original Sanskrit and Prakrits by RICHARD PISCHEL,

Professor of Sanskrit in the University of Berlin.

Thirty years ago Pischel made his first edition of this master-piece of the Hindu drama. Meantime

he has published, as a very important part of the Buhler-Kielhorn Orundriss der Indo-

Arinchm Philologie^ his elaborate Orammatik d*r Prakrit Sprachen. In the way of experience

and study, therefore, his equipment as an editor of this play is peculiarly complete. As for the

externals of paper and print and binding, it is intended that this edition shall be got up in a

manner to correspond with its scholarly character and with the intrinsic merit of the play; and

it is to be sold at a very moderate price.

The Qakuntala, translated into English from the edition of Professor

Pischel, with an exegetical and illustrative commentary, by ARTHUR WILLIAM

RYDKR.

Whereas Dr. Ryder's version of The Little Clay Cart (vol. ix. of this Series) was primarily a

literary one and aimed to avoid technicalities, his work upon the Qakuntala is primarily philological,

and of it the technical commentary is an essential part. In this comment he hopes to

include the most or all that is of substantive importance in the observations of his predecessors

whether Occidental or Hindu ; to treat the relation of the subject-matter of the play to the

older forms thereof as seen in the Epos and the Jataka ; to bring out the double meanings and

the various other Hindu embellishments" of the play; to note the parallelisms in poetic

thought or diction or technique between the Qakuntala and the other works of Kalidasa and

of the Indian literature ; to illustrate the allusions to the mythology and antiquities of India by

citations translated from the best native authorities ; to show, throughout, the relation of this

play as a work of art to the Hindu canons of dramaturgy ; and at least to assemble the data

for the solution of the important critical question whether the akuntala may not have served

as the model play upon which the earlier of those canons were based.

The Commentary (Yoga-bhashya) on Patanjali's aphorisms of the

Yoga philosophy, translated from the original Sanskrit into English, with indices

of quotations and of philosophical terms, by Dr. JAMES HAUGHTON WOODS,

Instructor in Philosophy in Harvard University.

Of the six great philosophical systems of India, we can hardly say that more than two, the

Sankhya and the Vedanta, have been made accessible to Occidental students by translations

of authoritative Sanskrit works. For Shankara's Comment on the aphorisms of the Vedanta

system, we have Deussen's translation into German and Thibaut's into English. For the Sankhya,

we are indebted to the labors of Wilson and Garbe and Ganganath Jha for versions of

the Karika and of the Tattva-kaumudl. The Yoga system is confessedly next in importance ;

and the Yoga-bhashya, ascribed to Vyasa, is the best and most thorough exposition of its fun- m

damental doctrines. It is also the oldest ; Garbe refers it to the seventh century of our era, and

the evidence adduced by Takakusu of Tokyo may prove it to be considerably earlier.

In the preparation of his translation, Dr. Woods has had the benefit of Deussen's criticism ;

and he has revised his work under the oversight of Gangadhara Shastrin and of his pupils in

Benares ; and he has constantly consulted Vachaspatimi<;ra's sub-comment on the Yoga-bhashya,

and, as occasion required, the Yoga-varttika of Vijftana-bhikshu and other works of

more modern scholiasts. It is hoped that this work will throw light upon the early history of

the Maha-yana school of Buddhism.

The Talavakara or Jaimimya Brahmana of the Sama Veda: critically

edited in the original Sanskrit, with a translation into English, by HANNS

OERTEL, Professor of Linguistics and Comparative Philology in Yale University.

In 1877, A. C. Burnell brought this Brahmana to the notice of European scholars. Soon after,

he procured manuscripts, and turned them over to Professor Whitney. With the aid of pupils,

Whitney made a transliterated copy of one, and himself collated the copy with the others.

Since 1891, off and on, Oertel has been at work upon the restoration of the corrupt text of this

Brahmana, and has published considerable parts of it in the Journal of the American Oriental

Society (vol's xv., xvi., xviii., xix., xxiii., and xxvi.) and elsewhere. It is his intention to add

to his translation systematic references to the parallel passages from the other Brahmanas.

Books for the Study of Indo-Iranian Languages

(Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Avestan)

Literatures, Religions, and Antiquities

Published by Messrs. Ginn & Company

Boston, New York, Chicago, and London

Whitney's Sanskrit Grammar. A Sanskrit Grammar, including

both the classical language, and the older dialects, of Veda and Brahmana. By

WILLIAM DWIGHT WHITNEY, [late] Professor of Sanskrit and Comparative Philology

in Yale University. Third (reprinted from the second, revised and extended)

edition. 1896. 8vo. xxvi + 552 pages. Cloth: Mailing price, $3.20.

Paper: $2.90.

Cappeller's Sanskrit-English Dictionary. A Sanskrit-English Dictionary.

Based upon the St. Petersburg Lexicons. By CARL CAPPELLER, Professor

at the University of Jena. Royal 8vo. Cloth, viii-f-672 pages. By mail, $6.25.

Lanman's Sanskrit Header. A Sanskrit Reader: with Vocabulary

and Notes. By CHARLES ROCKWELL LANMAN, Professor of Sanskrit in Harvard

University. For use in colleges and for private study. Royal 8vo. Complete:

Text, Notes, and Vocabulary, xxiv-f-405 pages. Cloth: Mailing price, $2.00.

Text alone, for use in examinations, 106 pages. Cloth: Mailing price, 85 cents.

Notes alone, viii + 109 pages. Cloth: Mailing price, 85 cents.

This Reader is constructed with special reference to the needs of those who have to use it without

a teacher. The text is in Oriental characters. The selections are from the Maha-bharata,

Hitopadeya, Katha-sarit-sagara, Laws of Mann, the Rigveda, the Brahmanas, and the Sutras.

The Sanskrit words of the Notes and Vocabulary are in English letters. The Notes render

ample assistance in the interpretation of difficult passages.

Sanskrit Text in English Letters. Parts of Nala and Hitopadeya

in English Letters. Prepared by CHARLES R. LANMAN. Royal 8vo. Paper, vi + 44

pages. Mailing price, 30 cents.

The Sanskrit text of the first forty-four pages of Lanman's Reader, reprinted in English characters.

Perry's Sanskrit Primer. A Sanskrit Primer: based on the Lcitfadenfur

den Elernentarcursus des Sanskrit of Prof. Georg Biihler of Vienna.

By EDWARD DELAVAN PERRY, Professor of Greek in Columbia University, New

York. 1885. 8vo. xii-f 230 pages. Mailing price, $1.60.

Kaegi's Rigveda. The Rigveda:the Oldest Literature ofthe Indians.

By ADOLF KAEGI, Professor in the University of Zurich, Authorized translation

[from the German], with additions to the notes, by ROBERT AEEOWSMPTH, Ph.D.

1886. 8vo. Cloth, viii + 198 pages. Mailing price, $1.65.

Hopkins's Religions of India. The Religions of India. By EDWARD

WASHBURN HOPKINS, Professor of Sanskrit in Yale University, 1895. 12mo.

Cloth, xvi + 612 pages. Mailing price, $2.20.

This is the first of Professor Morris Jastrow's Series of Handbooks on the History of Religions.

The book gives an account of the religions of India in the chronological order of their development.

Extracts are given from Vedic, Brahmanic, Jain, Buddhistic, and later sectarian literatures.

Jackson's Avesta Reader. Avesta Reader : First Series. Easier texts,

notes, and vocabulary. By A. V. WILLIAMS JACKSON. 1893. 8vo. Cloth, viii + 112

pages. Mailing price, $1.85.

The selections include passages from Yasna, Visparad, Yashts, and Vendidad, and the text

is based on Geldner's edition. The book is intended for beginners.

Om Tat Sat

End

(My humble salutations to Brahmasri Sudrakah and  greatfulness to Sreeman William Ryder

 for the collection)