The Sanskrit Drama in its Origin, Development, Theory & Practice c7.s3.45

c7.s3.45

Definite support for this view of the origin of drama may be found in the accounts of dramatic performances which are given in the *Harivaṅça*, the supplement of the *Mahābhārata*. That work cannot, as has been mentioned, be dated with any certainty or probability earlier than the dramas of Açvaghoṣa, and, therefore, it cannot be appealed to as the earliest mention now extant of the dramatic art. But it is of value as showing how closely connected the drama was in early times with the Kṛṣṇa cult, thus supplementing the conclusions to be derived from the *Mahābhāṣya*, and falling into line with the evidence of Bhāsa.