TRANSLATIONS

 

SRI AUROBINDO

 

Contents 

 

 

I. FROM SANSKRIT

   

 

 

 

BHAGAVAD GITA

 
 

Chapter One

 
 

Chapter Two

 
 

Chapter Three

 
 

Chapter Four

 
 

Chapter Five

 
 

Chapter Six

 

 

 

KALIDASA

 
 

The Birth of the War-God

 Canto One:

 
 

The Birth of the War-God, Canto Two

 
 

Malavica and the King

 
 

The Line of Raghu

 

 

 

 

Sankaracharya

 
 

Bhavani

 

 

 

 

III FROM TAMIL

 

 IV. FROM GREEK AND LATIN

 
 

The Kural

 

Odyssey

 
 

Nammalwar’s Hymn of the Golden Age

 

On A Satyr and Seeping Love

 
 

Love-Mad

 

A Rose of Women

 
 

Refuge

 

To Lesbia

 
 

To the Cuckoo

     
 

I Dreamed a Dream

     
 

Ye Others

     

 

 

MALAVICA  And  the  king 

A Play by Kalidasa in Five Acts

(Rough Draft) 

 

scene:  the palace IN vidisha

PERSONAGES

 

AGNIMITRA :                                    King of Vidisha, son of Pushpamitra, Commander-in-chief and afterwards supplanter of the Maurya Dynasty in Vidisha

VAHATAKA :                                     Prime Minister of Vidisha

GAUTAMA                                         The Brahmin Buffoon, companion of the King

GANADASA , HARADUTTA            Ministers of acting, drama and opera, the one entertained by Queen of Vidisha

DHARINIE :                                        Queen of Vidisha

IRAVATIE :                                         Second queen and hitherto fafourite wife of Agnimitra

MALAVICA ;                                     A handmaid of Queen Dharinie

 

COMUDICA :                                     Her friend

COUSHIQUIE :                                  Widow of the Vidurbhan minister, become a religious mendicant

JAYASENA :                                      Keeper of the door in the royal seraglio

NIPOUNICA :                                    Handmaid and companion of Iravatie

Page – 135

 

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

The Palace Grounds. Outside the Hall of Music. 

 

         INVOCATION

The One who is Almighty, he who showers

Upon his worshippers all wealth, all joy,

Yet wears himself a hide, nought richer; who

With his beloved is one body, and yet

The first of passionless ascetics stands;

Who in his eightfold form bears up the world,

Yet knows not egoism, he from you

Remove your darkness and reveal the light,

The paths of righteousness to reillume.

After the invocation the Manager speaks Enter Assistant-Manager.

manager

Here, friend.

assistant-manager

Behold me!

manager

By the audience I am bid

To stage this high Mayday carnival to stage

The drama of Malavica and the King

Plotted by Kalidasa. Therefore begin

The overture.

assistant-manager

Why, sir, this is most strange!

   Are there not classics old, are there not works

   Of Bhasa and Saumilla, famous plays,

   Great Kaviputra's name and others many 

Page – 137


That thus the audience honours, all these scorned,

A living poet's work?

manager

Not well hast thou

Spoken in this, nor like a judging man.

For think, not all that's old is therefore good,

Nor must a poem straightway be condemned

Because 'tis new. The critic watches, hears,

Weighs patiently, then judges, but the fool

Follows opinion's beaten way and walks

By other's seeing.

assistant-manager

Well, sir, you are the judge.

manager

(Haste then, for ever since with bended head 

The learned audience will I have accepted,

I have no ease till 'tis performed, but my mind

Haste like yon maiden's, Dharinie's attendant

Light-footed to her royal mistress' will.)1

Exeunt. Enter Vacoolawlica.

 vacoolavalica

My lady bids me seek out Ganadasa

(Her Master of the Stage, from him to learn

How in the Dance of Double Entendre progresses

Our Malavica, a recent scholar yet)2

Here in this Hall of Music.

Enter another handmaid with a ring in her palm

¹ Being to the audience' will already pledged,

                      To absolve me, even as yonder maidens are,

                              Attendants of Queen Dharinie to do her will.

 

                                 2 Her Master of the Stage and know from him

                                   How Malavica in her recent study   

                              Progresses of the dance called Mime fatigue

Page – 138


comudica

What, have you taken to religion then

Or why do you sail past me with an eye

Abstracted, not one glance for me ?

comudica

Forgive me,

(Vacoolavalica! I was absorbed

In this delightful jewel—on this ring

Fresh from the jeweller's hands for our great lady

Look'tis a Python seal!)1

Therefore I have offended.

 vacoolavalica

0 Heavens, how lovely!

Well might you have no eyes for aught else, look!

Your fingers are all blossoming with the jewel!

The rays of light are golden filaments

Just breaking out of bud.

comudica

Whither bound?

 vacoolavalica

To our stage master. Our lady seeks to know 

What sort of pupil Malavica proves,

How quick to learn.

comudica

Oh! is it true, the rumour

That Malavica by this study kept

Far from his eye, was by our lord the King

Seen lately?

 

¹ I was absorbed in the delightful jewel —

Look! 'tis a Python seal! here on this ring

Just ready from the jeweller's for the Queen.

Page – 139


 vacoolavalica

Seen —but in a picture, close

Beside my lady.

comudica

How did it chance ?

 vacoolavalica

I will tell you.

My lady in the painting-school was seated

Studying the marvellous colours that enhue

The Master's great design — when suddenly

My lord comes on her. 

 comudica

Well, what followed? 

 vacoolavalica

Greeting.

Then sitting down by her he scanned the painting,

There saw of all the attendants Malavica

Nearest the Queen and asked other.

comudica

His words ?

 vacoolavalica

"This face the like of which I not remember,  

And yet she stands just by you — who is she?"

comudica

Beauty's indeed a magnet to the affections

And seizes at first sight. My lady?

 vacoolavalica

Made

No answer: he in some astonishment

Urged her with questions. Then my lady's sister 

Page - 140


The princess Vasouluxmy all in wonder

Breaks out "Why, brother, this is Malavica!"

comudica

Oh, good! How like the child's sweet innocence!  

Afterwards? 

 vacoolavalica

Why, what else? Since then still more

Is Malavica from the royal eye

Kept close secluded.

comudica

Well, I should not stop you

Upon your errand. I too will to my lady

Carry this ring.                                                                         

Exit.

 vacoolavalica

Who comes out from the Hall 

Of Music? Oh 'tis Ganadasa himself.

I will accost him.                                                                      

  Enter Ganadasa

Ganadasa

Each worker, doubtless, his own craft exalts

Practised by all his sires before him: yet not

A mere vainglory is the drama's praise

For drama is to the immortal Gods

A sacrifice of beauty visible.

The Almighty in his body most divine

Where Male and Female join, disparted it

Twixt sweet and terrible. Drama unites

In one fair view the whole conflicting world,

Pictures man's every action, his complex

Emotions infinite makes harmony;

So that each temperament in its own taste

Howsoever various, gathers from the stage, 

Page - 141


Rapt with some pleasing echo of itself,

Peculiar pleasure. Thus one selfsame art

Meets in their nature's wants most various minds. 

 vacoolavalica

Obeisance to the noble Ganadasa! 

Ganadasa

Live long, my child.

 vacoolavalica

         My lady sent me, sir,

To ask how Malavica makes progress.

Sir, Does she learn quickly yet?

Ganadasa

Tell my lady,

No swifter brain, no apter delicate taste

Has ever studied with me. In one word,

Whate'er emotion to the dance translated

I show the child, that she improvising seems

To teach the teacher. 

 vacoolavalica (aside)              

Victory! I foresee

Iravatie already conquered! (aloud) Sir,

That pupil gains the very aim of study

Of whom her master says so much.

Ganadasa

                                                     Vacoola,

Because such genius is most rare, I ask thee:

Whence did my lady bring this matchless wonder? 

 vacoolavalica

The brother of my lady in a wom 

Less noble got, who for my lord commands

His watchful frontier fortress by the stream 

Page - 142


Mundaquinie, Virasena to his great sister,

For mistresshood and office in the Arts

Deemed worthy, sent her. 

Ganadasa  (aside) 

So rare her form and face,

Her nature too so modest and so noble,

I cannot but conceive that of no mean

Material was composed this beauty, (aloud) Child,

I shall be famous by her! The Master's art

Into a brilliant mind projected turns

To power original, as common rain

Dropping into the ocean-harboured shell

Empearls and grows a rareness.  

 vacoolavalica

Where is she, sir ?

Ganadasa

Tired with much study in the five parts of gesture 

She rests yonder enjoying the cool breezes

Beside the window that o'erlooks the lake.

Seek for your friend.

 vacoolavalica

                            Sir, will you permit me

To tell her how much you are pleased with her?

Such praise will be a spur indeed.

Ganadasa

Go, child.

Embrace your friend. I too will to my house

Taking the boon of this permitted leisure.

Exuent. 

Page - 143


SCENE TWO

A room in the palace. The King seated with the minister Vahataka in atten­dance on him. Vahataka reading a letter. The King's attendants stand apart at one side.                         

 

agnimitra (seeing that the Minister has finished reading the letter}

Well, Vahataka, what answers the Vidurbhan?

 

vahataka

His own destruction! 

agnimitra

I would hear the letter. 

vahataka

Thus runs his present missive: — In these terms

Your Highness has sent to me; "Madhavasena,

Thy father's brother's son, bound to my court

For the fulfilment of contracted bonds,

Within thy dungeons lies: for by the way

The governor of thy frontiers leaped on him

And harried. Therefore if thou regardest me,

Him with his wife and sister straight unbind."

To which I answer thus; "Your Highness knows

What conduct kings should use to princes born

Their equals. In this quarrel then I look

From your great name for just neutrality.

Touching his sister, she in the quick scuffle

Of capture disappeared, whom to seek out

I shall not want in my endeavours. But if

Your Highness must indeed release my cousin,

Then hear my only terms. First from your dungeons

The Premier of the Maurya princes loose

And brother of my queen; this done, at once

Are Madhavasena's farther bonds excused." 

agnimitra(enraged)

How! dares the weakling trade with me in favour? 

Page - 144


Knows he himself so little ? Vahataka,

Command towards Vidurbha the  division

That under Virsena new-mobilized

Stands prompt to arms. I will exterminate

This man who rises up my enemy.

Vidurbha was my natural foeman first,

Now he grows such in action. 

vahataka

As my lord wills. 

 agnimitra

Vahataka, but what thinkst thou of it? 

vahataka

Your Highness speaks by the strict rule of statecraft:1

Then is a foeman easiest to pluck out

When new upon his throne; for then his roots

Have not sunk deep into his people's hearts,

And he is like an infant shooting tree

Loose in its native earth, soon therefore uprooted.

agnimitra

Wise is the Tantra's author and his word

A gospel. Let us seize this plea to set

Our war in motion.

vahataka

I will so give order.

Exit Vahataka, the attendants take their places

according to their offices; enter Gautama.

gautama (to himself)

Now can I tell the King that not in vain

He sought for my assistance: "Gautama." he said

Calling me, "know you not some exquisite cunning

By which the face of Malavica seen 

' Your Highness speaks within the roles of policy: or by the rule politic:  

Page - 145

 

 

MALAVICA  And  the  king

 

 At first by chance on a dumb counterfeit

With the dear life may bless my vision?" Well,

By this I have planned somewhat worth the telling.

 agnimitra

Here comes my Premier in another field

Of policy.

 gautama

         Hail to the King.

 agnimitra

Be seated. Well,

Gautama, and has your eye of wisdom  

Caught sight of any plan

 gautama

Ask me, my lord, About the accomplishment.

agnimitra

How!

 gautama

In your ear, Sir.

agnimitra 

0 admirable! Thou hast indeed devised  

The cunningest adroitness! Now I dare

To hope for things impossible, since thou  

Art of my counsels part. In difficulty

How necessary is a helpful friend; 

For when one is befriended, ever hindrance

Is turned to ease. Even so without a lamp  

The eye beholds not in night's murky glom

Its usual objects.

           

            voice (within)

Enough, enough, thou braggart.

 Page - 146


Before the King himself shall be decision

Of less and greater 'twixt us twain. 

agnimitra

Listen!

This is the flower of your good tree of counsel! 

 gautama 

The fruit's not far behind.

Enter Maudgalya.

maudgalya 

The Premier, Sire,

Announces that Your Highness' will ere this

Is put in motion. Here besides the great

Stage-Masters, Haradutta and Ganadasa,

Storming with anger, mad with emulation,

Themselves like two incarnate passions, ask

To see Your Highness. 

agnimitra                    

Admit them. 

maudgalya

;                              "Tis done, my lord.

Exit and re-enter with Haradutta and Ganadasa

 This way, this way, noble and worthy signiors.

ganadasa

How quelling-awful in its majesty

Is the great brow and aspect of a King! 

For nowise unfamiliar is this face

Of Agnimitra, no, nor stern, but full

Of beauty and kindness, yet with awe I near him.

Ocean in his vast unresting surge

Stales never, but each changing second brings

Vew aspects of his grandeur to the eye

That lives with waves even as this kingly brow does

Each time I see it. 

Page - 147


         haradutta

 For 'tis no mortal greatness

But God's own glory in an earthly dwelling.

Lo, I admitted by the janitor

Of princes, led to the foot of his great throne

By one that ever moves near to his lustre,

Feel yet forbidden by his silent glories

That force me to avert my dazzled gaze. 

maudgalya

Here is my lord. Approach him, worthies.

both

Hail,

 Our sovereign! 

agnimitra 

Welcome to both. Chairs for these signiors?

What brings into the presence at this hour

Usual to study both the high stage-Masters? 

ganadasa

Sir, hear me! from a great and sacred teacher

My craft was studied. I have justified

My genius in the scenic pomps of dance.

The King and Queen accept me. 

agnimitra

Surely I know it.

ganadasa 

Yet being what I am, I have been taxed, 

Insulted, censured by this Haradutta:

"You are not worth the dust upon my shoes",

Before the greatest subject in the land

Thus did he scorn me.

haraduttA

He first began detraction

Page - 148


Crying to me, "As well, sir, might your worship

Compete with me as one particular puddle

Equal itself to Ocean." Therefore, my lord,

Judge twixt my art and his as well in science

As in the execution. Than Your Highness

We cannot ask a more discerning critic

Or just examiner. 

gautama

A good proposal.

ganadasa

First-class, And now, my lord, attend and judge.

agnimitra

A moment's patience, gentlemen.

The Queen Might tax our verdict as a partial judgment.

Therefore in all ways it were better far

She too should watch this trial, Caushiquie

Will give her learned aid.

gautama

Well urged, my lord. 

GANADASA AND haradutta

 Your Highness’ pleasure shall command our patience.

agnimitra

Then go, Maudgalya, let Her Highness know

All that has chanced and call her to us here

With Caushiquie. 

maudgalya  

I go, my lord.  

Exit and re-enter with the Queen and Caushiquie.  

This way,

My Lady Dharinie.                 

Page - 149


dharinie

Good mother, tell me

What do you think of this so sudden passion

Twixt Haradutta and Ganadasa?

caushiquie

Idly

You fear your side's defeat, since in no point

Is Ganadasa less than his opponent.1

dharinie 

'Tis so, but the King's favour weighs him down

And wrests pre-eminence to the other.

caushiquie

Forget not

That you too bear the style of majesty.

Think2 that you are an Empress! If fire

From the sun's grace derives his flaming glories,

Night too the imperial darkness solemnises

The moon with splendour. 

gautama

Hawk, hawk,3 my lord!

Here comes the Queen and with her our own

Back-scratcher in Love's wrestling match, the learned

Dame Caushiquie.

agnimitra

 I see her. How fair, how noble

My lady shines adorned with holy symbols

And Caushiquie before her, anchorite.

Religion's self incarnate so might look

When high philosophy comes leading her

Into the hearts of men.

1 Is Ganadasa second to his rival.     2 Remember     3 'Ware, 'ware, 

Page - 150


caushiquie

                                          Greeting Your Highness

agnimitra

Mother, I greet thee. 

caushiquie 

Live a hundred years

Blessed with two queens alike in sweet submission

And mothers of heroic births, the Earth

That bears thy nation and the wife who loves thee. 

dharinie

Victory to the King!

agnimitra 

Welcome, my Queen.

Pray you sit down, good mother. In this collision

Of two great masters, it is just that you

Should take the critic's chair. 

caushiquie (smiling) 

Your Highness seeks

To laugh at me. For who is that mad man

Would leave behind his great metropolis

To test his jewels in some petty village ?

agnimitra 

No, no! You are the learned Caushiquie,

Then too the Queen and I are both suspect

As partial judges, 

ganadasa AND haradutta 

This is no less than truth.

Unbiassed is the learned mother's mind.

Her judgment shall, by merit only swayed,

Leave no reserve behind. 

Page - 151


agnimitra

Begin debate.

caushiquie

Not thus, my lord.

The soul of drama is in its performance,

And not for tilting theories is a. field. What says my lady? 

dharinie

If I have any voice,

I say I do mislike the whole debate.

ganadasa 

Her Highness must not dwarf me in her thinkings,

Misdeeming me inferior to my equal.

gaUtama

Come, come, my lady, do not let us lose

The sport of these great rams butting each other.

Why should they draw their salaries for nothing?

dharinie

You always loved a quarrel.

gautama

Good mouse, no.

Rather I am your only peacemaker.

When two great elephants go mad with strength

And counter, until one of them is beaten

There's no peace in the forest.

agnimitra

But surely, mother,

You have already seen cither's performance,

Judged of their action's each particular

And studied grace in every movement. 

Page - 152


caushiquie

Surety.. 

AGNIMITRA

What else is't then of which yet uninstructed

You need conviction ?

caushiquie 

This. One man has art,

Other but science; performance admirable

Distinguishes the first, but in himself

Is rooted and confined, the other's skill

Ranging in swift transmission lightens forth,

(At home inapt and poor: who perfect in both

Him at the head we put of art's instructors.)1

gautama

Sirs, you have heard the mother's argument,

The brief and marrow being this that judgment

Goes by your visible proof of good instruction

To shape the pupil in her art 

haradutta

This test

We both approve.

           ganadasa

So then it stands, my lady?

dharinie

Thus if a pupil, brainless or inapt

Blur in the act the Master's deft instruction,

Rests then the blot upon the Teacher ?

 

' Dark at home; but him who is in both

Perfect, to do and teach, we count alone

A master and the head of all his craft.

Page - 153


agnimitra

Madam,

So still 'tis judged. He who a block unworthy

Accepts to hew from it a masterpiece

Shows well the lightness of his wit.

dharinie

What more now?

Too much already have, I given my lord the rein,

Feeding his eagerness with my indulgence.

Desist, desist; this is an idle movement

And shapes to nothing good.

gautama

Well said, my lady.

Come, Ganadasa, eat in peace your sweetmeats

Upon the Muses' day, a safe renown

Enjoying while you teach our girls to dance.

But in this path of rugged emulation

To stumble's easy and disgrace expects you.

Caution were good.

ganadasa 

Indeed my lady's words

Lend themselves to no other fair construction

 

                                                            (Incomplete)  

Page - 154