The Mrichchhakatika of Sudraka

by M. R. Kale

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 in 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.