(6) 'Dambha' (Hypocrisy) enters the stage

SECOND ACT OF THE PLAY

प्रवेशक/PRAVESHAKA

{PRAVESHAKA is ‘The Introducer’ an interlude acted by the inferior charecters such as servants, buffoons etc, for the purpose of acquainting the audience with events not represented on the stage, but a knowledge of which is essential for the proper understanding of what follows.}

{Enters Dambha (Hypocrisy)}

DAMBHA-

“I have been ordered by King MahaaMoha like this-

‘Child! Dambha! That Viveka along with his minister has vowed that he will get enlightenment! Shama, Dama and others have been allotted their proper posts.

The ruin of our family which is predicted to happen in the future should be somehow stopped by you all by acting vigilantly.

In the earth, there is a sacred city named Vaaraanasee which bestows liberation to all. You go there and try to create obstacles for the fulfillment to be attained in the four stages of life (Brahmacharya/ celibate student, Gaarhastya/ householder, Vaanaprastha/retirement to the forest, and Sannyaasa/life of compete renunciation).’

Now I have taken over this Vaaraanasee. I have completed the orders of my Master.

{Men dominated by ‘Dambha’ act like saints and Sages in the day-time and cheat the people. At nights they are engaged in enjoying women and wine.}

Now those who are under my control-

वेश्यावेश्मसु सीधुगन्धिललनावक्त्रासवामोदितै-

र्नीत्वा निर्भरमन्मथोत्सवरसैरुन्निद्रचन्द्राः क्षपाः

सर्वज्ञा इति दीक्षिता इति चिरात्प्राप्ताग्निहोत्रा इति

ब्रह्मज्ञा इति तापसा इति दिवा धूर्तैर्जगद्वन्च्यते [1]

 - spend the moonlit nights, sleepless and

continuously enjoying the amorous sports,

tasting the juicy lips of the ladies, fragrant with wine,

 in the prostitute’s houses;

and cheat the world in the morning

parading as highly learned, as conductors of Sacrificial rites,

as worshippers of fire from a long time,

as knowers of Brahman, as performers of penance and so on.

(observing)

Some traveler is coming right this way after crossing River Bhaagirathi.”

{When hypocrisy is there, naturally ego has to make an entrance!}

DAMBHA- 

“He appears -

ज्वलन्निवाभिमानेन ग्रसन्निव जगत्त्त्रयीं

भर्त्सयन्निव वाग्जालैः प्रज्ञयोपहसन्निव [2]

as if burning with arrogance;

as if swallowing the three worlds;

as if reproaching all with his oratory power;

as if sneering at everyone with his wisdom.

I think he must be coming from the southern Raadda (राढा) country situated on the other side of the River Ganges. I will find out from the other traveler the news about this Ahamkaara.”

{People of Gouda country (Raadda) are supposed to be highly arrogant and egoistic by nature)

(Dambha moves away)