INTRODUCTION

The ultimate aim of human life is to achieve four means of life,

[Link], Artha, Kāma and Mokṣa. This can be achieved by enjoying

the dṛśya and śravya kāvyas which stand very equivalent to the darśanas.

The dṛśyakāvya enriched the literature of Sanskrit language. On the basis

of the plot, hero and sentiment the dramas can be classified in to ten

types. Even though visual art forms are called as dramas generally in

Sanskrit the ten rūpakas technically differ from one another. Among the

rūpakas of Bhāsa the dramas are more popular and outstanding in

Sanskrit literature through which he has proved his dramatic skills and

artistic conviction of a poet.

Research Problem
Problem,
roblem, Aim and Objectives
Objectives

As per the direction of scholars of Sanskrit, poetic elements for

drama have to be derived either from epics and puraṇas or famous folk

lore. Sanskrit literary creations are formed by using the emotional conflict

in it. Bhāsa recreated the characters and events to prove his mastery in

the creation of Rūpakas. It seems that while conceiving the war and its

situations also Bhāsa very much differs from other poets. This research

thesis emphasises the picturisation of war and its human circumstances,

in the works of Bhāsa how it is narrated, the style of Bhāsa, difference in

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his vision from other poets, specialities in narration, expertise in selecting

such stories from epics and to choreograph it fruitfully and effectively,

different war situations described in each works, its effect such as

physical, psychological and social effects in characters are the subject of

this study.

Scope of the study

For what purpose war is conducted? A question that should be

essential thought about. From ancient period, human beings fought

against each other for his survival and to protect his dwellings. Kings tried

to expand his kingdom and to protect it through [Link] wars resulted

in psychological and physical effects in human beings in many forms. The

story of the emperor of Ashoka is well-known that he changed his mind

after seeing the effects of war and miseries. Epics prove that war is

essential in many occasions. Dramas of Bhāsa also illustrate this. This

research examines the possibilities of war, why characters fought with

each other and its circumstances etc. in the dramas of Bhāsa.

The dramas of Bhāsa are well studied by many scholars. But a

study of this kind is for the first time. Which will be of great use for the

upcoming scholars who wished to go deep in to the works of Bhāsa.

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Hypothesis

Bhāsa successfully came out with popular dramas which captured

the whims of the spectators. War was one of the important topics handled

by him. The selection of plots, character sketches, presentations etc. of all

his dramas were quite novel and unique with a totally different and

unexpected point of view. It has been endeavored in the present research

work to bring out the peculiarities of the dramas ascribed to Bhāsa with

special emphasis on war and human situations in relation to war.

Review of literature

For a long time nothing was known about the versatile and

celebrated dramatist Bhāsa and his works for a long time other than

through references made by many poets, critics and commentators. It was

thought that Bhāsa's works were lost in an irretrievable manner. T.

Gaṇapati Śāstri of Trivandrum Manuscript Library succeeded in locating

and publishing the plays of Bhāsa(1909-10). A number of serious studies

took place on the various aspects of the dramas. Among them a very

important work which draws attention due to the gravity of the subject

handled is 'Bhāsa a Study' authored by Pusalker A.D. (1968). This work

augments the arguments of Gaṇapati Śāstri and goes further and

criticises staunchly the attribution of the drama named Yajñaphala as

Bhāsa's play by a few scholars. He asserts after raising his strong and

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valid points of his criticism that the drama Yajñaphala was authored after

Kāḷidāsa and is only an imitation of Bhāsa. After about sixty eight years

from the date of publication of the Bhāsa plays by Gaṇapati Śāstri,

Dr. N.P. Unni authored a book named 'New problems in Bhāsa plays'

(1978). He raises questions about the findings of Śāstri on the common

authorship of the thirteen dramas and the ascription of them to Bhāsa. In

the year 1985, Woolner, A.C. and Lakshman Sarup translated the thirteen

dramas into English in the name 'Thirteen Plays of Bhāsa'. 'A Critical

Survey of Bhāsa’s Mahābhārata Plays' written by Biswanath Bhattacharya

(1991) analyses the six Mahābhārata plays. This work mainly analyses

the non- Bharatan features of the dramas. Later, many scholars who

delved into the issue of Bhāsa, came with their own thoughts and

comments on the points raised by Dr. N. P. Unni, This prompted Dr. N.P.

Unni for the republication of his book 'New Problems in Bhāsa Plays' in

the name 'Bhāsa Afresh - New Problems in Bhāsa plays' (2000) with

further explanations and defenses on his assessment. 'Psychology and

Sociology as revealed in the Plays of Bhāsa' (2000) is a doctoral thesis

submitted by Rajagopalan, K. Department of Sanskrit, University of

Calicut, under the guidance of K. H. Subramanian. This work critically

analyses the plays of Bhāsa. 'Dramatic Techniques of Bhāsa' (2003) is a

doctoral thesis submitted by Vijayalakshmy Sivasanthiran, University of

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Sri Jayevardenapura under the guideship of Prof. Marasinge. This

categorically explains the daśarūpakas and the various techniques

employed by Bhāsa. 'Dramas of Bhāsa' (2005), a collection of scholarly

discussions, mainly carry the view of Vijayan, K where the assessments

of Dr. N.P. Unni, are vehemently criticised. The article concludes stating

that the plays exhibit a family likeness and the position of Gaṇapati Śāstri

regarding the authorship stands un-assailed. The thesis titled 'Bhaskī

Rāmāyaṇā śritkṛtiyomka Nāṭyaśāstrīy Adhyayan' submitted by Sobhit

Sarma under the supervision of Hira Vallabh Kothari (2009) in the Kumau

University is an analysis of the Rāmāyaṇa plays with the rules of

Nāṭyaśāstra. 'Female Characters in the dramas of Bhāsa - A Study' is a

doctoral thesis by Roy Rangmala submitted to the Gauhati University

(2011). It gives an insight into the female characters in the dramas of

Bhāsa. 'A Critical Study of Love Stories in the plays of Bhāsa, Kāḷidāsa,

Bhavabhūti and Śūdraka' is a doctoral thesis submitted in the University of

Lucknow by Manavendra Pandey under the supervision of Professor

Ayodhyadas Srivaishnav (2013). It analyses the plays in the view point of

love stories. It mainly deals with the matter how the poets depict love in

their works. 'Bhasa’s Drama: A Socio-Cultural Study' is a thesis submitted

to Assam University by Chitrita Choudhary under the guidance of

Dr. Bhagirathi Biswas (2013). This work chiefly analyses the social

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aspects such as family, court life, caste system, stages of life, marriage,

education, religion, position of woman and philosophical out look and

cultural aspects namely festival, dance, music, language, fine arts food

and drink, dress and ornaments etc., reflected in the plays of Bhāsa.

'Bhāsa’s Legendary Plays: A Critical Study' is yet another thesis

submitted to Assam University by Profulla Borah under the supervision of

Dr. Bhagirathi Biswas (2013). It critically analyses the dramas viz.,

Svapnavāsavadatta, Pratijñāyaugandharāyaṇa, Avimāraka, and

Cārudatta has been recognized by the scholars as legendary plays. The

doctoral thesis entitled 'Aucitya in the Mahābhārata plays of Bhāsa' is a

thesis work which is submitted by Renjith Rajan under the guidance of Dr.

Thankamoni P. K. in the University of Kerala in year 2015.

Statement of the problem

Since the majority of the dramas ascribed to Bhāsa are based on

epics, there exist references to war quite obviously. The rules of

dramaturgy forbid presentation of war on stage. Given this type of

restriction, the manner in which war is presented in the dramas ascribed

to Bhāsa, the extent to which war influences the characters of these

dramas and the immensity of such influence in the characters form the

subject matter of the present research work. The questions delved into in

depth and answers provided in detail include:

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1. Do the dramas ascribed to Bhāsa refer to wars?

2. If yes, which are such dramas? What is the extend of war in them?

3. The cause of war

4. The extend of influence exerted on the characters of the mentioned

dramas in which wars exist.

Methodology

Methodology adopted in the present research work is analytical in

nature. This is done from the point of view of war. Some dialogues are

quoted where required since they are found to be apt to fulfill the

requirement of the context. Translations are also provided wherever

necessary. Origin, nature, characteristics and other details of the drama in

general are given in a descriptive narration so that one could have a

grasp of the concept of drama in all perspectives.

The present research work is divided into four main chapters. It

starts with an introduction. Chapter I is devoted to the detailed study of

war and human situations in general. Chapter II describes the portrayal of

war in Sanskrit literature beginning from the Vedas to Purāṇas, Epics,

Mahākāvyas and others. Chapter III is an exposition of war and human

situation in Sanskrit dramas. Origin and development of Sanskrit drama,

types of Sanskrit drama, characteristics of Sanskrit drama, war and

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Sanskrit drama, war dealt with in other Sanskrit dramas, depiction of

different human situations related to war in Sanskrit drama etc. are dealt

with extensively. Chapter IV is a detailed study of the dramas ascribed to

Bhāsa. The plots of the dramas are given in detail as well as the war and

human situation related to war faced by the characters of the dramas.

Chapter V is devoted to observations and conclusion.