Simhasanadvatrimshika f3b
English (machine translation) f3b
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f3b.p1
On the face of the earth, no king equalled Vikrama. In the three worlds his fame flowed unhindered like the Gaṅgā. Meanwhile, in the world of the gods, Indra summoned Rambhā and Urvaśī to cause a break in the asceticism of Viśvāmitra, and said: "Whichever of you two is more skilled in dance and song, let her go to Viśvāmitra's penance grove to disrupt his austerities. When Viśvāmitra's asceticism has been destroyed, I will give her a reward." Hearing that, Rambhā said: "O King of the Gods, I am exceedingly skilled in dance." Then Urvaśī said: "Lord, I know dance according to the treatises." As a dispute arose between the two of them, the assembly of gods sat to make a judgment. First was Rambhā's dance. On the second day Urvaśī also danced. Then the entire host of gods, having seen the dancing of both, was delighted, but no one could make a determination, saying, "This one is exceedingly skilled in dance." At that very moment Nārada said: "O King of the Gods, on the surface of the earth there is a king named Vikramāditya; he is an expert in all the arts, and especially proficient in the science of music. He will decide their dispute." Then Mahendra dispatched Mātali to Ujjayinī to summon Vikramāditya. Vikrama too, summoned by him, went to Amarāvatī together with his minister and the vetāla, and having bowed to Indra, was seated with honor by him. Thereafter the occasion for dancing was arranged. First Rambhā took the stage and danced; on the second day Urvaśī mounted the stage and danced according to the treatises. Then Vikramāditya praised Urvaśī and awarded her the victory.
f3b.p2
Indra said: "O king, how was victory given to her?" Vikrama said: "Lord, in dance, bodily grace is paramount first of all. And so it is said in the treatise on dance:
f3b.1
"The limb movements neither too high nor too low, the feet agile,
symmetry in the hips, elbows, head, shoulders, and ears; || 1
f3b.2
A graceful repose of the limbs and the prominence of the chest, / enhanced by practice, those who know dance call [bodily] elegance.”
f3b.p3
And further: a special posture suitable for beginning the dance must be displayed by the dancing-girl. And that special posture is described in the learned treatise on dance:
f3b.3
“Symmetry in the limbs, the feet level, and the arms stretched like creepers / at the beginning of all dances—this is declared to be the common [stance].”
f3b.p4
For indeed her form [is described thus]:
f3b.4
“Long-eyed, her face radiant as the autumn moon, her arms sloping at the shoulders, / her chest compact with firm and uplifted breasts, her flanks as if polished smooth; / her waist measurable by a handspan, her hips broad, her feet with curved toes— / her body is fashioned precisely as if joined to the dancer's own mental fancy.
f3b.p5
The exquisite beauty of her dancing posture [is described thus]:
f3b.5
Placing her left hand on her hip, the bracelet still upon her wrist, / the other limb let fall relaxed like the slender spray of a priyaṅgu creeper; / with eyes cast down upon the pavement of lovely flowers at her big toe, / how exceedingly charming is her posture from the dance, with the upper body erect and extended!
f3b.p6
What more need be said?
f3b.6
The meaning was fully indicated by limbs in which speech was embedded; / the footwork followed the tempo, and there was complete absorption in the aesthetic emotions; / the delicate pantomime originated from the branch movements in following its variations; / one emotion drives out another emotion from its object, yet the continuity of passion remains unbroken.”
f3b.p7
In this manner, Urvaśī was praised by me as a dancing-girl conforming to the learned treatise on dance. Then Mahendra, being pleased, honoured Vikramārka with garments and other gifts, and gave him a throne inlaid with precious, excellent gems. In that throne thirty-two statuettes were inlaid. Setting his foot upon their heads, he was to sit upon that throne. Taking that exceedingly captivating throne by command of Mahendra, Vikramārka went to his own city. Thereupon, at an auspicious moment and an auspicious planetary conjunction, after receiving the blessings of brahmins, he mounted that throne and ruled the kingdom.
Linked texts (1)
- Siṃhāsanadvātriṃśikā — Sanskrit