Daśakumāracarita is a prose written to acknowledge the fact that the life is not a plain river, but it has waves of ups and downs in each one’s lives. The story Daśakumāracarita written by Daṇḍīn narrates the stories of ten princes, who have had different opinions and views about the kingdom and its management. The first two stories of Daśakumāracarita, narrates the stories of king’s leadership. First story is about the prince Rājavāhana who fights to throw against a man who deliberately contested to assume his throne with wicked intentions. The second story is about the hard king who was brutally killed by an enemy and took over his land and lady, in order to sustain the kingship. The themes of the stories are identically similar, which deals with the different kinds of kingships. The third story revolves round a careless king who was tricked by a magician only to be sent out of the kingdom with nothing in his hands. The fourth tale deals with the king named Apaharavarman, who was judgemental in his views and a sage who lived his life for his pleasure. They ultimately lose their power and position owing to their weaknesses, which was warned by a thief to the king.
There is a similarity in the stories of five and six, where the kings have their own weaknesses. Due to which both the kings loses their kingdom to the well-deserved princes. It is harder to be weak, but it is hardest to be irresponsible. The seventh tale speaks about a king named Pramati, who although had potential to be victorious, loses his daughter to a shrewd courter. The eighth story is all about the conflict between the co-brothers, who fight to gain the power of kingdom. Although the prince has the right to rule, he is defeated by his co-brother who is resilient and adroit. The ninth story is about the prince who is good at heart and helpful to plenty. But the clutches of the magician who was immoral could not bear any fruit of justice to himself, who ends up giving away his kingdom.
As a result, a feudatory king named Vasantabhānu, leader of the Aśmaka, took advantage of the situation by pretending to exile his own son, who then sought refuge at Anantavarman's palace, where he exploited the king's weaknesses. Meanwhile, Vasantabhānu made secret alliances with the other feudatories and complained about Anantavarman's inappropriate behaviour. The Bhoja king was then attacked and conquered the realm when he was completely unprepared. Although the story's conclusion may have been written in a different hand, it is widely accepted that the story concludes with the restoration of Bhoja control of the region and the overthrow of the Agmaka forces by the virtue of Viśruta's cleverness, and valour. The Adventures of the Ten Princes was the title of a 1927 translation of the Daśakumāracarita.
Pūrvapīṭikā, Daśakumāracarita
Uttarapiṭikā
Padadīpikā
Padacandrikā
Bhūśaṇā
Laghudipikā
Daśakumāracarita, a prose work by Daṇḍi, is considered one of the most significant contributions to Sanskrit literature. Here are some of its contributions: 1. Literary excellence: The work is noted for its literary excellence and stylistic virtuosity. Its intricate plot, vivid characterization, and engaging narrative style continue to inspire admiration and study among scholars and enthusiasts of Sanskrit literature.
2. Influence on later works: The influence of Daśakumāracarita can be seen in later works of Sanskrit literature, particularly in the realm of narrative storytelling. Its sophisticated use of language, structural complexity, and exploration of human emotions and relationships set a high standard that later writers sought to emulate.
3. Depiction of women: The work is notable for its progressive depiction of women, who are portrayed as intelligent, independent, and strong. The female characters challenge the traditional gender roles of ancient Indian society, and their portrayal has had a lasting impact on subsequent literary works.
4. Cultural significance: The work provides valuable insights into the social and cultural practices of ancient India, particularly with regards to courtly life and the education of princes. It offers a window into the intellectual and cultural milieu of its time and provides a rich source of information for scholars of Indian history and culture.
5. Contribution to the Sanskrit language: Daśakumāracarita is a remarkable example of the use of Sanskrit language, showcasing the language's flexibility, versatility, and expressive power. It has been studied for centuries as a prime example of the highest standards of Sanskrit prose, and has contributed significantly to the development of the Sanskrit literary tradition.