The Priceless Rāghava 3

3

(At the end of the benediction.) / Stage-manager: Enough of excessive elaboration. O noble spectators assembled at the festival of the Blessed Puruṣottama—he who is a shoot of the tamāla tree along the forest edge of the salt-sea shore, the great sapphire ornamenting the crest of the triple world, the musk-leaf drawing traced in play upon the pitcher-like breasts of Kamalā! An actor named Kalahakandala, arrived from some island, performing a composition dominated by the furious, loathsome, terrifying, and marvelous sentiments, has reportedly kept these people constantly distressed. / Therefore, grant me favor with permission for the staging of a play endowed with pleasing sentiments and emotions—me, a native of Madhyadeśa named Sucarita, an actor and disciple of Bahurūpa, teacher of the dramatic art. For: / The delight of the audience is indeed dear to those who live by the stage; / having vanquished him who stole it away, I shall now bring it back. (3)