The Sanskrit Drama in its Origin, Development, Theory & Practice c11.s5: 5. The Metres
The Sanskrit Drama in its Origin, Development, Theory & Practice c11.s5
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5. The Metres
c11.s5.1
The author of the *Mṛcchakaṭikā* shows considerable skill in metrical handling; his favourite metre is naturally enough the Çloka, which suits his rapid style and is adapted to further the progress of the dialogue. It occurs 83 times, while the next favourite, the pretty Vasantatilaka, appears 39 times, and the Çārdūlavikrīḍita 32 times. The only other important metres are the Indravajrā (26), with the Vaṃçasthā (9), and the Upajāti combination of both (5). But there occur also the Puṣpitāgrā, Praharṣiṇī, Mālinī, Vidyunmālā,² Vaiçvadevī, Çikhariṇī, Sragdharā, and Hariṇī, and one irregular stanza. Of the Āryā there are 21 cases, including one Gīti, with 30 morae in each half stanza, and there are two instances of the Aupacchandasika. The Prākṛit metres show considerable variety; of the Āryā type there are 53 as against 44 of other types.³
c11.s5.2
² -----, -----. In no other classical drama is it found.
c11.s5.3
³ The apparent occurrence of Māhārāṣṭrī stanzas is in all probability not in accordance with the original text, which knew only the Prākṛits given in § 4; see Hillebrandt, GN. 1905, pp. 436 ff.
Cites (5)
- Mṛcchakaṭika — Śūdraka, Sanskrit
- Vasantatilaka — Sanskrit
- Ērān
- Gīti — Bengali
- Praharṣiṇī — Sanskrit