Prabōdhācāndrōdaya is an allegorical drama portraying the awakening as a spiritual realisation. Puruṣa (Man), who had forgotten his identity with the Supreme Being, Paramēśvara, and had fallen into a deep slumber, is awakened to realise his identity by Vidyā or knowledge. Puruṣa, the central character in the drama, appears on stage only in the final act. The true self of man, as understood by monistic Vedanta, taken to be identical with the Supreme Self (Paramātman), the Supreme Lord (Paramēśvara), or Brahman, is the spiritual or philosophical sense of the word to which the allegory points. As a result, the Puruṣa of the play is a supreme sovereign, even more dignified than the king.
Illusion is Puruṣa's wife, Māyā, and Manas is their son's name. Manas has two wives, Pārvatī and Nivṛtti, Activity and Resignation. Pārvatī gives birth to Mōha or Delusion, and Nivṛtti gives birth to Vivēka or Discrimination. Puruṣa is enslaved by Manas, whom Ahaṅkāra or Egoism accompanies; delusion and others have strengthened this bond. Puruṣa has succumbed to delusions while under the influence of Ahaṅkāra. ‘He dreams that he is sleeping while Māyā deceives him by creating phantoms. Only the rise of Vidyā, or Knowledge, and Prabodha, or Spiritual Awakening, can restore his true nature.
In six acts, Kriṣṇamiśra's Prabodhacandrodaya is a profound philosophical allegory of man's life. The author successfully portrays in a dramatic form the spiritual struggle between virtue and vice, the two forces of the human mind. There's also some lively satire. On the holy side, an attempt is made to reconcile Advaitik Vedānta and Viṣṇubhakti.
The play is divided into six acts or "Prabodha", each consisting of several scenes. The contents of each act are as follows:
Prathama-Prabodha (First Act): This act introduces the main characters of the play, including King Sudarśana, his minister Subuddhi, and his three sons. The act also features a debate between Subuddhi and a wandering ascetic on the nature of reality.
Dvitīya-Prabodha (Second Act): In this act, the King's eldest son, Vīrasena, falls in love with a woman named Sāgarikā, who is actually a demon in disguise. The act also introduces the character Prince Pṛthvīdhara.
Tṛtīya-Prabōdha (Third Act): The focus of this act is on the character of Pṛthvīdhara, who is deeply in love with a woman named Cintāmaṇi. However, Cintāmaṇi is already betrothed to the King of Kāśī, leading to a conflict between the two kingdoms.
Caturtha-Prabōdha (Fourth Act): This act features a battle between the kingdoms of Kāśī and Ujjayinī, as well as the resolution of the conflict between Pṛthvīdhara and Cintāmaṇi.
Pañcama-Prabōdha (Fifth Act): In this act, Vīrasena is kidnapped by the demon Sāgarikā, leading to a quest by the other characters to rescue him.
Ṣaṣṭhā-Prabōdha (Sixth Act): The final act features the defeat of the demon Sāgarikā and the reunification of the characters. The act also concludes with a message on the nature of reality and the path to spiritual liberation.
Prabodhacandrodaya is a unique Sanskrit play written by Kṛṣṇamiśra in the 11th century, known for its innovative approach to storytelling and its blend of both classical and contemporary themes. It tells the story of Princess Candrāvati, who falls in love with Prince Krīḍāpura, but faces numerous obstacles before they can be together, including an evil sorcerer and a disapproving father. What sets this play apart is its use of dream sequences, flashbacks, and even a play within a play to convey its message, making it a highly experimental work for its time. Additionally, the play explores philosophical concepts such as the nature of reality, the illusion of the material world, and the role of destiny in our lives. Overall, Prabodhacandrodaya is a fascinating example of the innovative and thought-provoking works that emerged from India's rich literary tradition.
Prabodhacandrodaya is considered a significant contribution to Sanskrit literature, both for its innovative storytelling techniques and for its exploration of philosophical themes. The play's use of dream sequences, flashbacks, and a play within a play was highly experimental for its time and influenced later Sanskrit plays. The themes it explores, such as the nature of reality and the role of destiny, are timeless and continue to be relevant even today. Additionally, the play showcases the richness of Sanskrit literature, with its sophisticated language, complex characters, and intricate plot. Overall, Prabodhacandrodaya is a valuable addition to the canon of Sanskrit literature and a testament to the creativity and intellectual depth of its author, Kṛṣṇamiśra.
In addition to its literary and philosophical significance, Prabodhacandrodaya is also notable for its cultural and historical context. The play was written during a time of great intellectual and artistic flourishing period in India, when Sanskrit literature was at its height and new ideas were being explored in a variety of fields, from philosophy to mathematics to astronomy. Kṛṣṇamiśra himself was a renowned scholar and poet. As such, Prabodhacandrodaya represents not only a remarkable work of literature, but also a window into a vibrant and dynamic society, where creativity, learning, and innovation were highly valued. Its enduring popularity and relevance today speak to the enduring legacy of this rich cultural tradition.
1. गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः। उत्पथप्रतिपन्नस्य परित्यागो विधीयते॥ २२॥ [प्रबोधचन्द्रोदयम् - प्रथमोङ्कः - २२] Even a teacher is prescribed to be abandoned, who is proud of wealth and other possessions and does not know his rights as well who has gone astray.
2. सम्मोहयन्ति मदयन्ति बिडम्बयन्ति। निर्भर्त्सयन्ति रमयन्ति विषादयन्ति। एताः प्रविश्य सदयहृदयं नराणाम्। किं नाम वामनयना न समाचरन्ति॥ २७॥ [प्रबोधचन्द्रोदयम् - प्रथमोङ्कः - २७]
Beautiful-looking women, having entered a compassionate man's heart by deception, they hypnotize [him], [they] intoxicate [him], [they] make fun of [him], [they] rebuke [him], [they] delight [him], [they] depress [him].