The Mrichchhakatika of Sudraka: Edited With the Commentary of Prithvidhara

Among the known dramatic composition of ancient India, the Mrichchhakatika occupies a very high and distinguished position. It is a creation of outstanding brilliance. The Mrichchhatika is a drama in ten Acts based on the story of the love of Charudatta, a prominent but poor inhabitant of Ujjayini, and Vasantasena, an exquisitely beautiful but pure-minded courtesan of the city. By virtue of its high dramatic charm and its great literary excellence, it has endeared itself to generations of spectators and readers; the play has been adapted into many Indian vernaculars, and in that modern form still continues to draw admiring crowds. The editor makes this book as comprehensive and useful as possible. To the commentary of Prithvidhara, which is somewhat abrupt and meager in places, he has made considerable additions where he felt them to be necessary for the elucidation of the text. The relation of this play to Bhasa's Charudatta has been fully discussed in the Introduction. The Prakrit passages, which prove a hindrance to the student, have been printed below the text, and along with the text, only the Sanskrit renderings are given above; the utility of this contrivance has been established in actual use.

No a pology is needed for this new edition of the Mrichchhakatika, as there is at present no suitable edition available which satisfies the needs of the University students, who have often to study this play for their examination, I have tried to make this book as comprehensive and useful as possible, inspite of the short time at my disposal, as the edition was undertaken at the urgent request of the publishers somewhat late in the beginning of this year. To the commentary of Prithvidhnra, which is somewhat abrupt and meagre in places, I have made considerable additions where I felt them to he necessary for the elucidation of the text. The relation of this play to Bhasa’s Charudatta has been fully discussed in the Introduction, along with other usual matters. The Prakrit passages, which prove a hindrance to the student in the class, have been printed below the text, as in my other editions of Sanskrit plays, along with the text, only the Sanskrit rendering being given above; the utility of this contrivance has been established in actual use. I have fully availed myself of the labours of my predecessors in this field; but I must make special mention of the editions of Jivanand Vidyasagar and N. B. Godbole, and the scholarly translation of Dr Ryder, as well as his supplementary Notes issued in the Journal of the American oriental Society. To all these my best acknowledgements are due. But I have especially to thank a friend of mine who materi ally assisted me in the preparation of this edition and for whose able help in every way the edition could not have been brought out in the short space of six months. Any suggestions or corrections, &e., that might help to make this edition still more useful, will be most thankfully received.