ACT X

The Conclusion

Scene 1

(Enter Charudatta followed by the two Chandalas, or executioners)

CHANDALAS:

Well then! Let us not ponder why.

The two of us, who are experts at binding and leading

The newly condemned to the gallows;

Skilled are we at impaling him on the stake

Or cutting off his head, double quick.

Move out of the way, gentlemen! This is the noble Charudatta,

Invested with a karavira¹ garland,

And held by us, his executioners;

Like the fading flame of a lamp with depleting oil,

He too fades away, little by little.

CHARUDATTA: (In distress)

My limbs are drenched in tears and grainy with dust;

My body is encircled with garlands of cemetery flowers

And smeared with red sandalwood paste.

Taking it for a sacrificial offering.²

The crows cry raucously, wanting to feast on it.

CHANDALAS:

Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

Why do you gape at a worthy man being cut down

By the sharp edge of the axe of fate?

He has been the refuge of good men,

Like a tree that shelters countless birds.

Come on, Charudatta, come now.

CHARUDATTA: Unpredictable are the twists and turns of Fate! That is why I find myself in this state.

All my limbs bear hand marks in red sandalwood paste;

Pounded rice has been thrown on them as well.

Thus, I, a man, have now been transformed into a beast

To be sacrificed.

(Looking ahead) How uneven are the fortunes of men!

(Piteously) The townspeople see this deadly calamity that has befallen me

And they swear: ‘Curse upon this mortal world.’

With eyes filling with tears, but powerless to save me,

They cry out: ‘May you attain heaven.’³

CHANDALAS: Make way, gentlemen, make way! What are you gaping at?

Indra’s flagpole being carried away, the cow giving birth to a calf,

The falling of a meteor⁴ and the death of a good man—

Are four events

That ought never to be witnessed.

CHANDALA 1: Hey, Ahinta, look, look!

Does the sky weep,

Or does lightning strike without clouds

When one of the finest of the city

Is condemned to death by the decree of fate?

CHANDALA 2: Hey, Goha!

The sky does not weep, nor does lightning strike

Without the clouds;

The crowd of women is the massed clouds,

Their falling tears, the copious showers.

When the condemned is led to the gallows,

The tears shed by men and women

Wet the streets,

And the dust never rises.

CHARUDATTA: (With sorrow)

Here are more women, in their mansions,

Leaning out of half-opened casements.

They lament: ‘Ha Charudatta, ha Charudatta!’

And their tears flow like veritable waterways.

CHANDALAS: (Together) Come on, Charudatta, come on! This is the place for making an announcement. Beat the drum, proclaim the news!

Gentlemen one and all, listen now to the announcement. This is Charudatta, grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta, and son of Sagaradatta. He, the perpetrator of base deeds, has been proven guilty of enticing the courtesan Vasantasena to the lonely old Pushpakarandaka Garden and strangling her to death for the sake of the few ornaments she had on her body. The stolen goods were found in his possession and he too has subsequently confessed to his crime. King Palaka has ordered us to put him to death. Let this be a warning to others who may be tempted to commit as heinous a crime as this, condemned in this world and the next, that they too shall be punished with equal severity if proven guilty.

CHARUDATTA: (To himself in distress)

My lineage is one that has been rendered pure

By the performance of a hundred sacrifices

And has been exalted in times past in the assemblies of the brahmanas,

Wherever they gathered in great numbers to chant the Vedas,

Without cease.

Now as I stand on the verge of death

That very name is being cried out

But alas, by unworthy sinners in their own announcements.

(Closing his ears in agony)

O my darling Vasantasena!

With teeth that dazzle like the flawless rays of the moon,

With the lower lip like the lovely red coral!

Having tasted the nectar of your mouth, how shall I,

A captive, drink of the poison of infamy?

CHANDALAS: Move away, gentlemen, move away.

This treasure-house of virtues,

This bridge for good people to cross over a sea of trouble,

Adorned with ornaments, but not of gold,

Is now being led away from the city.

There are many in this world to worry about those

In comfortable circumstances.

But rare is it to find any that would care

For those fallen upon bad times.

CHARUDATTA: (Looks all around)

Behold, these friends of mine, hurrying away from me,

Covering their faces with the ends of their garments!

To the well placed in life even strangers act like kinsmen,

To the one in trouble, alas, there is no friend at all.

CHANDALAS: The crowds have been cleared away. The king’s highway is now empty. Let us bring him over to the highway, having invested him with all the marks of the condemned.

(Charudatta sighs and laments, calling out to Maitreya)

(From behind the stage a voice cries out)

VOICE: Ah, my father, my dear friend!

CHARUDATTA: (Listens and cries out to the Chandalas) O noblemen of your caste, I beg a favour of you.⁵

CHANDALAS: What? Will you accept a favour from us?⁶

CHARUDATTA: No! No! But all the same Chandalas are not wicked like King Palaka who has acted so thoughtlessly. For the sake of the hereafter I’d like to see the face of my son.

CHANDALAS: All right.

(From behind stage, the same voice cries out again)

VOICE: Ah my father, ah my papa!

CHANDALAS: You citizens, please give way a little; let Arya Charudatta look at his son. Good sir, this way, this way. Come on, lad, come.

Scene 2

(The Chandalas are leading Charudatta to the execution ground. Enter Vidushaka leading the boy.)

VIDUSHAKA: Hurry, hurry, my blessed child, your father is being taken to be killed.

CHILD: Papa, papa!

VIDUSHAKA: Alas! My dear friend, where shall I see you again?

CHARUDATTA: (Looks at his friend and child) Ah my child! Ah! Maitreya! Alas! Alas!

Thirst will long afflict me in the other world;

For exceedingly meagre

Would be the libation of water,

My sole sustenance,

Offered by these tiny hands.

What shall I now give my child as a parting gift?

(He glances over himself and sees the sacred thread)

Ah, yes, there is this and it is all mine too.

This ornament of the brahmanas,

Made not of pearls nor of gold

Yet by whose power alone is offered,

The oblation to the gods and ancestors.⁷

(He gives his sacred thread to the child)

CHANDALA 1: All right now, come along, Charudatta.

CHANDALA 2: How dare you address Charudatta without his honorific! Listen to me.

In prosperity and in decline, day and night,

Destiny marches on, her path unimpeded, trampling upon men

Like a spirited young mare.

True, titles are of no use to him now;

Yet should we not bend our heads in his honour?

Is the moon not worthy of men’s worship

Even when it is in the clutches of Rahu?⁸

CHILD: Hey you two Chandalas, where are you taking my father?

CHARUDATTA: My child,

Bearing the karavira garland around my shoulders

The stake on my back and sorrow in my heart,

I make my way now to the execution ground,

Like a goat being led to immolation at the sacrifice.

CHANDALAS: My lad,

We are not really Chandalas although born in the Chandala caste.

The sinners who harass the good, they are the real Chandalas.

CHILD: Then why are you killing my father?

CHANDALAS: May you live long! It is the king’s orders; we are not responsible.

CHILD: Kill me and release my father!

CHANDALA 1: For my sake may you live long for saying this!

CHARUDATTA: (Embracing his son tearfully)

This brimming tenderness is the same for the rich and the poor.

Not made of sandalwood nor of ushira⁹ paste,

Yet a soothing ointment,

A balm for the sore heart.

VIDUSHAKA: Good sirs, please release my dear friend Charudatta, kill me instead.

CHARUDATTA: God forbid!

CHANDALA 1: Make way, gentlemen, make way!

Why do you gape at a man in the clutches of infamy,

Who is going under, all hope of living lost,

Like a golden pot¹⁰ that, with its rope snapped,

Sinks in the waters of the well.

CHANDALA 2: Hey, announce once again! (The chandala announces once more)

CHARUDATTA:

I have reached such an ignoble state,

Enfeebled by this calamity,

That an end to my life

Would indeed be a reward.

But this proclamation does wound my heart!

Need I hear it said that she was killed by me?

Scene 3

(The palace of Shakara. Sthavaraka Cheta is seen on the terrace, bound.)

STHAVARAKA: (Hears the proclamation in distress) How is it that Charudatta, who is innocent, is being executed? . . . My master has bound me with a chain . . . All right, let me shout: My good sirs! Please listen to me! Please listen to me! As the carriages got exchanged, sinner that I am, I was the one who took Vasantasena to the old Pushpakarandaka Garden. There she was strangled by my master in a rage because Vasantasena did not desire him. She was not killed by this gentleman . . . Alas! No one can hear me. They are too far away. What shall I do now? . . . Shall I throw myself down! Perhaps, if I do that, Arya Charudatta will not be killed. Yes, let me jump down from the small terrace in the front through this old window. Better that I die than this great tree which is the refuge of noble birds, the well born of the city. Besides, if I do die I shall certainly attain heaven. (Throws himself down) Wonder of wonders! I am not dead and my chain has come undone as well! Let me now look for the place from where the Chandalas are making the announcement. O Chandala, please make way for me, please make way for me!

CHANDALAS: Who is asking to be heard?

(Cheta repeats what he shouted earlier)

CHARUDATTA:

Who could this be,

Risen like dronamegha¹¹ over parched crops,

To save me in this critical hour,

Caught as I am in the coils of death?

Gentlemen, you heard him!

It is not death that I am afraid of,

Only of ill repute;

But now that my name is cleared

Death would be like the birth of a son!

I have no enmity for him,

Wicked as he is, ignorant and silly;

Yet he has now contaminated me,

Like an arrow dipped in venom.

CHANDALAS: Sthavaraka, are you speaking the truth?

STHAVARAKA: It is the truth. My master bound me with punitive chains and cast me in the small front terrace so that I would not reveal the truth to anyone.

(In another part of the stage. Enter Shakara, on his way to the terrace of his house.)

SHAKARA: (Pleased)

I have dined at my house

On meat prepared spicy and sour,

With vegetables, soup and fish

And boiled shali,¹² and rice with molasses!

(Listening to the Chandalas) I hear the Chandalas’ nasal voices sounding like cracked copper! The resounding beats of the dindima and pataha can also be heard. I assume that the beggar Charudatta is being led to the place of execution. Let me go and watch. I am thrilled that my enemy is about to be destroyed. I have heard it said that anyone who watches the execution of his enemy is freed of all eye diseases in his future births. Like an insect caught inside the knot of a poisonous herb, I have extricated myself from a tough situation, bringing on at the same time the destruction of that beggar Charudatta. Let me now climb up to the small terrace in the front of my house and witness the result of my great powers. (Climbs up) . . . Hey, hey! Such a large crowd has assembled to watch the penniless Charudatta being led to his execution! How many more will turn out when a great person, a superior individual like me, for instance, is led to the execution ground! Here he is, decked like a young bull, being taken in a southerly direction . . . Why was the proclamation issued and then abruptly stopped right near the front terrace of my house? . . . How come Sthavaraka Cheta is not here? Heaven forbid he should go and blurt out the truth! Let me go and look for him. (He descends from the terrace)

STHAVARAKA: My sirs, here he comes!

CHANDALAS:

Move away, give way.

Close your doors and be quiet.

For here comes the wicked bull

With his sharp horns of insolence.

SHAKARA: Hey, hey! Give me room! Ah, my son, Sthavaraka, Cheta, come let us go.

STHAVARAKA: Ha! Ha! You villain! You are not content with killing Vasantasena. Now you are trying to destroy this good man Charudatta.

SHAKARA: I am like a pot of gems; why would I kill women?

ALL TOGETHER: You were the one who killed Vasantasena, not Arya Charudatta here!

SHAKARA: Who says that?

ALL TOGETHER: This good man here.

SHAKARA: (To himself in fear) Damn it! Why didn’t I tie up Cheta properly? He is the only witness to my crime . . . All right, let me do it this way. (Aloud) I swear he is talking like this because I caught him stealing gold, and I thrashed him and tied him up. He has become my enemy now and is telling all these lies about me. (He slips his armlet surreptitiously into Cheta’s hands and whispers to him) My son, Sthavaraka, Cheta, take this and say something else.¹³

STHAVARAKA: (Takes the armlet) Look, gentlemen, he tries to tempt with gold!

SHAKARA: (Snatching back the armlet) This is the stolen jewel for which he was beaten and tied up. I had appointed him to guard the treasure. If you do not believe me, just inspect his back.

(The Chandalas inspect Cheta’s back and find it full of the marks of lashings)

CHANDALAS: What he says is true! In his torment Cheta seems to be saying anything that comes to his mind!

STHAVARAKA: Alas! Such is the degradation of servitude that no one believes a servitor’s words. Arya Charudatta, this is the extent of my power to save you! (He falls at Charudatta’s feet)

CHARUDATTA:

O you who are compassionate to the innocent fallen upon evil days,

Do rise! You are indeed a true friend with no ulterior motives, O righteous one!

You did your utmost to free me, but alas! Fate has decreed otherwise.

You left nothing untried!

CHANDALAS: Master, thrash this Cheta and throw him out!

SHAKARA: Hey, get out of here. (He drives Cheta out) You two Chandalas, why do you delay? Kill him now!

CHANDALAS: If you are in such a hurry, you kill him yourself.

CHILD: Hey, Chandala, kill me but release my father.

SHAKARA: Kill him along with his son.

CHARUDATTA: Everything seems possible to this villain. My son, go to your mother.

CHILD: What should I do after going away from here?

CHARUDATTA:

You must go at once, this very day, to a hermitage

Taking your mother with you;

God forbid, my child, that my crime

Should drag you too to a similar fate.

Maitreya, take the child and go away at once.

VIDUSHAKA: My friend, you do know this . . . Can I support life without you?

CHARUDATTA: It is not right for one who lives in freedom to give up his life.

VIDUSHAKA: (To himself) What he says is right indeed. Yet it is not possible for me to live on separated from my dear friend. I shall first take the child to his mother; then I shall end my life so that I may follow my friend on his journey. (Aloud) I shall take this little one back immediately. (He embraces Charudatta and falls at his feet. The child too falls down crying.)

SHAKARA: Arre, I am telling you—kill the man along with the child!

(Charudatta shows fear when he hears this)

CHANDALAS: The king has not ordered us to kill the child with the father . . . Go away from here, my lad, go away . . . This is the place for the third announcement. Beat the drums. (They announce Charudatta’s sentence for the third time)

SHAKARA: (To himself) How come these citizens are still not convinced about his guilt? (Aloud) Hey you, Charudatta! These citizens do not believe in your guilt! Tell them yourself, with your own tongue, that you killed Vasantasena. (Charudatta remains silent)

SHAKARA: You Chandala fellows, this Charudatta brat is not admitting to his crime. Take this broken bamboo piece, this drumstick of yours and keep thrashing him until he accepts his guilt.

CHANDALAS: (Raising their sticks) Say it, Charudatta.

CHARUDATTA:

Having fallen into this ocean of misery

I have neither alarm nor dejection in my mind;

But I do fear

The fire of infamy that’d burn me

Were I to say here

That my beloved was killed by me.

(Shakara keeps insisting that Charudatta admit his guilt in so many words)

CHARUDATTA:

Cruel as I am with total disregard for the future world,¹⁴

I have . . . by me . . . a woman,

No different from Rati herself . . . has been

. . . the rest shall be told by this one here.

It is by me, pitiless as I am,

And unmindful of the consequences in the two worlds

That this woman, a rare jewel among women,

. . . the rest will be told by this man

SHAKARA: . . . Was killed.

CHARUDATTA: So be it!

CHANDALA 1: (To the second Chandala) It is your turn to carry out the execution in this case.

CHANDALA 2: No, it is your turn.

CHANDALA 1: Let us draw lots then. (They draw lots many times in many ways) If it is going to be my turn then let matters wait a while.

CHANDALA 2: Why?

CHANDALA 1: My father advised me thus on his deathbed: ‘My son Goha, if it falls to your lot to be executioner, never be in a haste to kill the condemned.’

CHANDALA 2: Why?

CHANDALA 1: For various reasons. Some good man may turn up and pay money to secure the release of the prisoner. A son may be born to the king at that very moment and in that great celebration all the condemned may be freed. Once in a while a rogue elephant may break free and in the confusion the prisoner may be able to escape. Or there may even be a political revolution with a change of kings and then all the prisoners are freed.

SHAKARA: What? Can there be a change of kings?

CHANDALA 1: Let us decide now who is to be the executioner.

SHAKARA: Hey, kill Charudatta quickly. (Takes Cheta and goes and stands on the side)

CHANDALAS: Noble Charudatta, it is the king’s order that is at fault, not the two of us Chandalas. Try to meditate on what is appropriate at such a time.

CHARUDATTA:

Slandered though I am by the words of those with influence,

No doubt due to the perversity of Fortune,

If my righteousness has any power,

Then let Vasantasena herself, wherever she may be,

—In Indra’s heaven or anywhere else—

Remove this stain on me in her own way.

Now where do you want me to go?

CHANDALA 1: (Points ahead) This is the southern cemetery, the mere sight of which is enough to make the condemned drop dead. Look! How the jackals are stretching their bodies to pull away the lower parts of the corpse while the rest of it is still sticking to the stake like a grinning death mask.

CHARUDATTA: (Sits down shaken) Alas! I am done for!

SHAKARA: I won’t go away now. I shall wait and see the fellow executed . . . Why has he sat down now?

CHANDALAS: Charudatta, are you afraid?

CHARUDATTA: (Springs up quickly) You fool! I have no fear of death; I have only fear of ill repute.

CHANDALAS: Noble Charudatta, bad times strike even the sun and the moon that reside in the heavens; how can we mere humans be spared the fear of death then? In the world people who have risen, fall, and the fallen rise again.

As the corpse rises and falls

The clothes get cast away.

Bear this in your mind

And steady yourself.

This is the place for the fourth announcement. (Repeats the announcement)

CHARUDATTA:

O my darling Vasantasena,

With teeth that dazzle like the flawless rays of the moon!

Having tasted the nectar of your mouth

With its lovely coral-red lower lip

How shall I, a captive now,

Drink of the poison of infamy?

Scene 4

(Enter Vasantasena and the Monk in a hurry on their way into the city)

MONK: How wonderful! Thanks to my monkish status I have been able to take care of this girl Vasantasena who was lying helpless in a strange place and bring her back to the city. Upasike, where should I take you?

VASANTASENA: To the house of Charudatta, of course. By enabling me to see him, may you make my heart happy, just as the sight of the deer-marked one gladdens the white lily.

MONK: (To himself) What route should I take . . . It is good that I go by the royal highway. Come, upasike, here is the highway . . . (Listens) How come one hears such commotion on the highway?

VASANTASENA: (Looking ahead) Why is there such a big crowd gathered here, ahead of us? Sir, do find out what is happening. Ujjayini appears tilted as though the earth here has been unevenly loaded!

(At the scene of the execution)

CHANDALA 1: This is the place for the last announcement. Beat the drums! Shout out the proclamation. O Charudatta, wait for a little while; do not be afraid, you will be killed quickly.

CHARUDATTA: O gods in heaven!

MONK: (Hearing the announcement and in agitation) Upasike, Charudatta is being led to his death on the charge that he has killed you.

VASANTASENA: What! What! Arya Charudatta being executed because of me, the luckless one! Oh my God! Please take me there quickly, sir!

MONK: (Pushing his way through the crowds) Hurry, hurry, upasike, Charudatta may be comforted by you! Make way, gentleman, make way.

VASANTASENA: Let me pass, let me pass, please.

(At the place of the execution)

CHANDALA 1: The king’s order is responsible for this misdeed. Try to think thoughts suitable to a time such as this.

CHARUDATTA: What more do I need to say?

Slandered though I am by the words of those with influence,

No doubt due to the perversity of Fate,

If my righteousness has any power,

Then let her, wherever she¹⁵ may be,

—In Indra’s heaven or anywhere else—

Remove this stain on me, by her own pure nature.

CHANDALA 1: (Drawing his sword) Lie down flat and remain still. With just one swish we will send you to heaven.

(Charudatta lies still)

CHANDALA 1: (As he tries to strike the sword falls from his hand) How is this?

Pulled out with force, grasped in one fist held in the other,

Why has this sword, cruel and lightning swift,

Slipped,

And fallen on the ground?

It is clear from this that the noble Charudatta shall not be killed. Goddess of the Sahya Mountain! Have mercy on us! If Arya Charudatta is freed, then all the Chandala people will consider themselves blessed by you!

CHANDALA 2: No, we will do what we have been ordered to.

CHANDALA 1: All right, let us do it.

(The Chandalas now want to nail Charudatta to the stake. At this moment the Monk and Vasantasena rush in, breaking through the crowds.)

MONK AND VASANTASENA: Gentlemen, gentlemen! No, no, don’t do it!

VASANTASENA: I am the wretched woman for whose sake this man is being killed!

CHANDALA 1:

Who is this woman hurrying here,

Her open curly hair falling heavily on her shoulders,

Her hands raised in protest,

And crying out, ‘No, no’?

VASANTASENA: Arya Charudatta, what is the meaning of this? (She falls on his chest)

MONK: What on earth is this? (He falls at Charudatta’s feet)

CHANDALAS: (Drawing back in fear) This is indeed Vasantasena! Thank God, an innocent man has not been killed by us!

MONK: Is Charudatta alive?

CHANDALAS: He will live for a hundred years!

VASANTASENA: (With joy) I have been given a fresh lease of life!

CHANDALA 1: The king is in the pavilion for sacrifices. Let us go and report these happenings to him.

SHAKARA: (Who has stood on one side watching eagerly, is now filled with fear) Who could have revived this whore-by-birth? I am done for! Let me flee from here! (Runs away)

CHANDALAS: (Following him) The king’s orders for us were that he who was responsible for the attack on Vasantasena was to be put to death. Let us go after the king’s brother-in-law now.

(Exit all)

Scene 5

(The place of the execution)

CHARUDATTA: (In wonder)

I was already in the jaws of death

With the weapon raised against me

When this woman—who could she be?—came to my rescue,

Like copious showers on rain-starved crops?

(Looks at her)

Is this yet another Vasantasena,

Or the same one come down from the heavens?

Could this be a mere apparition seen by my confused mind,

Or the real one who never did die at all?

Of course she has come down from heaven,

To bring me back to life!

Or . . . is she altogether another woman,

Who merely looks like her?

VASANTASENA: (Gets up with tears in her eyes and falls at his feet) Arya Charudatta, it is the same Vasantasena, the wretched sinner, because of whom you have been brought to this abominable condition.

(From behind the stage many voices are heard)

VOICES: Wonder of wonders, Vasantasena is alive!

CHARUDATTA: (Listens and springs up to embrace Vasantasena, his eyes closed in the enjoyment of that touch, the intensity of his joy choking his words) My darling Vasantasena, it really is you!

VASANTASENA: Yes, I am that very same unfortunate woman.

CHARUDATTA: (Scrutinizes her with joy and says) Wonder! Vasantasena herself!

Copious showers of tears drenching her breasts,

From where has she come

To rescue me, already in the clutches of death,

Like a veritable spell of magic?

My darling Vasantasena,

This body of mine that was to be felled for your sake,

Has now been saved by none other than you!

Such is the power of the bond of love!

How else can a man already dead be brought back to life?

Behold, my beloved, how by your arrival,

This red cloth of death and this garland of cemetery flowers

Change into the vestments of the groom!

And these beats

Of the executioners turn into

The rhythms of wedding drums!

VASANTASENA: What on earth were you trying to do, led on by your extraordinarily generous nature?

CHARUDATTA:

By a long-standing foe, one with power and influence,

One about to fall into hell,

I came to within a breath

Of being put to death myself.

VASANTASENA: (Closing her ears) God forbid! I was attacked by that brother-in-law of the king.

CHARUDATTA: (Looking at the Monk) Who is this one here?

VASANTASENA: I was struck by that villain, and this good man brought me back to life.

CHARUDATTA: Who are you, such a disinterested friend?

MONK: Noble sir, do you not recognize me? I am Samvahaka who used to work as the shampooer of your feet. Once, I got into the clutches of gamblers and this good lady, upon learning that I used to be in your service, secured my freedom by giving away a piece of jewellery in repayment of my debt. Disgusted with my dice habit I became a Buddhist monk. Madam Vasantasena, by stepping into the wrong carriage which actually belonged to the king’s brother-in-law, ended up in the old Pushpakarandaka Garden and fell into the hands of Shakara. When she refused his advances he flew into a rage and struck her down with the strength of his arms, and left her for dead. And there I found her.

(There is commotion behind the stage and a voice is heard)

VOICE:

Victorious was Shiva, the one with the bull emblem,¹⁶

As he destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha!

Victorious was the six-faced one, the enemy and breaker of the Krauncha Mountains!¹⁷

Now it is Aryaka who, having destroyed his all-powerful enemy,

Is victorious over the whole wide earth,

With the Kailasa as its white banner.

Scene 6

(The highway in Ujjayini. Enter Sharvilaka in a hurry.)

SHARVILAKA: O people of Ujjayini!

The tyrant Palaka is killed

And in his place is forthwith installed Aryaka!

Carrying the new king’s orders on my head,

Like a garland removed from an idol,¹⁸

I am here to rescue Arya Charudatta

From the great calamity about to overtake him.

The king with no army and no ministers is killed

And the people have been fully reassured.

The enemy power has been conquered

And with it has been won the overlordship of the whole earth

Like the reign of Indra, the foe of the demon Bala.¹⁹

(Looking ahead) I see a crowd of people over there and he must be there in their midst. May this effort of King Aryaka to save the life of Arya Charudatta bear fruit! (Hurries on) Get away, get away, you fools! (Sees Charudatta and says happily) Charudatta is alive! And there is Vasantasena with him! Our king’s hopes are entirely fulfilled!

How fortunate for me to see Arya Charudatta

Rising out of a boundless sea of troubles after such a long time

By the virtue and nobility of his beloved

—who is like a boat,

Built strong and tied with good ropes—²⁰

And now shining like the lustre-rich moon just released from an eclipse.

I did him a great disservice then; how shall I approach him now? Well, it is best to be truthful at all times. (Approaches Charudatta with folded hands) Arya Charudatta!

CHARUDATTA: But I do not know you.

SHARVILAKA:

I am the one that broke into your house

And made away with what was placed in your safe custody;

For that dire offence, I now place myself

Under your mercy alone.

CHARUDATTA: (Embracing him) No, no, my friend, it was really an act of kindness on your part.

SHARVILAKA: Further,

Aryaka of noble conduct, upholder of lineage and self-respect

Has killed the villain Palaka, like an animal offering, right in the pavilion for sacrifices.

CHARUDATTA: What?

SHARVILAKA:

It is the one who rode away in your carriage,

Under your protection

Who has now killed King Palaka,

Very like a ritual victim, in the midst of a sacrifice.

CHARUDATTA: Sharvilaka, is this the one who was picked up from the village by Palaka, bound and put in prison for no reason at all and then freed by you?

SHARVILAKA: Yes, that is the one.

CHARUDATTA: I am pleased, so pleased about it.

SHARVILAKA: Having established himself, Aryaka has endowed you with the governorship of the kingdom of Kushavati²¹ on the banks of the Vena,²² in the province of Ujjayini. Do please honour this first token of friendship on the part of the king by accepting it. (He turns around and says to someone) Hey you! Go and bring that villain, the brother-in-law of the dead king.

(From behind the stage, a voice answers)

VOICE: As Sharvilaka commands.

SHARVILAKA: Arya, King Aryaka sends this message to you: ‘I won this kingdom by the help of your virtues; therefore you have a right to enjoy it.’

CHARUDATTA: This kingdom won through our virtues?

(From behind the stage the clamour of people is heard)

CLAMOURING VOICES: Hey you! King’s brother-in-law, come on, come on, suffer the consequences of your wickedness!

(Enter Shakara held by the guards with his hands tied behind his back)

SHAKARA: I can’t believe it!

Although I’d run far away like an unrestrained donkey

I am now bound and brought back here, like any old mad dog!

(Looks around) The king’s brother-in-law is surrounded on all sides! Whom shall I approach for help? (Thinks) Who else but he who always protects those who seek his help! Arya Charudatta, please save me! Please save me! (Falls at Charudatta’s feet)

(From behind the stage, voices are heard)

VOICES: Arya Charudatta, leave him alone, leave him alone. We shall finish him off now!

SHAKARA: (To Charudatta) I have no one to help me! Please save me!

CHARUDATTA: (With pity) Alas! Do not fear, do not fear! I shall protect you!

SHARVILAKA: (Impatiently) Oh, take him away from near Charudatta! (Turning to Charudatta) Now tell us sir, what should be done with him?

Would you rather he is bound and left

To be dragged away and eaten by a pack of dogs?

Or, should he be nailed to the stake,

Or be cut to shreds by a saw?

CHARUDATTA: Would my instructions really be carried out?

SHARVILAKA: Of course, what doubt could there be about that?

SHAKARA: My lord Charudatta, I seek refuge in you. Please save me, please save me! Please do what befits you. I shall never again do such things.

(From behind the stage, voices are heard)

VOICES: Citizens! Kill him! Why does the sinner still live?

(Vasantasena removes the garland of death from Charudatta’s neck and puts it around the neck of Shakara)

SHAKARA: Daughter of a born-whore! Forgive me, forgive me. I shall never strike you again. Please save me.

SHARVILAKA: Hey, take him away! Arya Charudatta, now give me your orders. What should be done with the villain?

CHARUDATTA: Would my words be put into action?

SHARVILAKA: What is the doubt here?

CHARUDATTA: Do you give your word on it?

SHARVILAKA: I give my word.

CHARUDATTA: In that case let him quickly be . . .

SHARVILAKA: . . . killed?

CHARUDATTA: . . . released.

SHARVILAKA: Whatever for?

CHARUDATTA: The enemy, the guilty one who falls at your feet and seeks refuge ought not to be killed with weapons . . .

SHARVILAKA: Then let the dogs eat him.

CHARUDATTA: . . . but with kindness.

SHARVILAKA: Ah! How amazing! So what should I do, please tell me.

CHARUDATTA: Let him go.

SHARVILAKA: Right, he is released.

SHAKARA: I can’t believe it! I have been brought back to life! (He goes out with the guards)

(Once again there is commotion backstage)

VOICE: Arya Charudatta’s wife, Dhuta, pushing away her little son who clings to the edge of her garment, is trying to jump into a raging fire even as people with tear-filled eyes are trying to pull her back.

SHARVILAKA: (Listens to the voice and turns and looks backstage) How come Chandanaka is here? What is this I hear, Chandanaka?

Scene 7

(The same setting as before. Enter Chandanaka.)

CHANDANAKA: Does not the noble Sharvilaka see the great crowd of people collected to the south of the king’s palace? I told her not to do anything rash because Arya Charudatta was alive; but when overcome with sorrow does one listen to anyone, leave alone believe in what anyone says?

CHARUDATTA: (In agitation) My beloved, while I live why have you decided upon this course of action? (Looks up and sighs deeply)

O my lady of charm and elegance!

Even if you find this earthly life

Too incompatible with your virtuous ways,

Is it proper, O chaste one, for you, a loyal wife,

To leave your husband in order to enjoy the bliss of heaven? (Faints)

SHARVILAKA: What a calamity!

One has to rush there quickly,

But here the noble one has fainted!

Alas! I see futility stalking

Earnest efforts all around!

VASANTASENA: Arya, do compose yourself. Go to the lady and save her. Succumbing to weakness will lead to disaster.

CHARUDATTA: (Collects himself and rises quickly) O my darling, where are you? Please answer me!

CHANDANAKA: This way, sir, this way.

(Exit all)

Scene 8

(Enter Dhuta with Rohasena holding on to the end of her garment; Maitreya and Radanika follow her.)

DHUTA: (With tears) Dear child, let me go! Please don’t come in my way. I am frightened of hearing dreadful news about my husband. (She pulls the end of her garment away from the child and approaches the fire)

ROHASENA: Mother, mother, wait for me. I cannot live without you. (He runs to his mother quickly and catches hold of her garment again)

VIDUSHAKA: The rishis say that it is sinful for a brahmana woman to ascend the funeral pyre without her husband.

DHUTA: It is better to be sinful than having to hear that dreadful news about my husband.

SHARVILAKA: (Peering ahead from the other side of the stage) The lady has reached the fire. Please do hurry, sir!

(Charudatta hurries on)

DHUTA: Radanika, please hold the child, so that I can carry out my wish.

RADANIKA: (Piteously) But I too shall follow the example of my mistress!

DHUTA: (Looks at Vidushaka) Then let Arya Maitreya hold him.

VIDUSHAKA: (In agitation) In the execution of any desired project the brahmana ought to act first. Therefore I shall go ahead of you.

DHUTA: (Embraces the child) Alas! Both have turned down my request! Dear child, now you have to take care of yourself so that you can perform the last rites for us by giving away sesame and water. (Sighing) What is the point of entertaining desires that have gone beyond one’s reach? My child, your father, the noble one will not look after you.

(Charudatta hears these words and rushes in)

CHARUDATTA: I shall take care of my child myself!

(He lifts the child into his arms and hugs him)

DHUTA: (Looks around) Wonder of wonders! I hear my husband’s voice! (She then looks at Charudatta again and again to make sure it is really her husband) And here he is himself! I am happy, so happy!

ROHASENA: (Looks at Charudatta and says happily) Mother, papa himself is holding me! Now he can look after me himself! (He hugs his father in return)

CHARUDATTA:

O my love, while your beloved husband still lives

Why this terrible decision?

Will the lotus close its petal eyes

When the sun has still not set?

DHUTA: For that very reason she is kissed, as she is inanimate!²³

VIDUSHAKA: (Happily) How wonderful! I now look at my dear friend with these very same eyes of mine that saw him in that terrible state! Behold the power of the chaste woman! By merely seeking to enter the fire she has attained union with her husband. May my friend prosper! May he prosper!

CHARUDATTA: Come here, Maitreya. (Embraces him)

RADANIKA: How well things have turned out! I salute you, my noble sir! (Falls at Charudatta’s feet)

CHARUDATTA: (Placing his hand on her) Rise, Radanika, rise! (He raises her)

DHUTA: (Sees Vasantasena) Thank God my sister is well.

VASANTASENA: It is only now that I have become truly well.

(The two women embrace each other)

SHARVILAKA: Thank God all the friends of the noble one are alive and well.

CHARUDATTA: By your kindness!

SHARVILAKA: Madam Vasantasena, the king who is very pleased with you now honours you with the title of Vadhu.²⁴

VASANTASENA: All my wishes have now been fulfilled.

SHARVILAKA: (Places the veil on Vasantasena and addresses Charudatta) What shall we do for the monk?

CHARUDATTA: O monk! What is your wish?

MONK: Having seen such impermanence in all worldly affairs, I am determined twice as earnestly as before to continue in the path of renunciation.

CHARUDATTA: (To Sharvilaka) Friend, he is of firm resolve; let us therefore make him the head of all the monasteries of the world.

SHARVILAKA: Arya’s wish shall be fulfilled.

MONK: I am pleased, truly pleased.

VASANTASENA: Now I am truly returned to life.

SHARVILAKA: What about Sthavaraka?

CHARUDATTA: Let the good man be freed. Make these Chandalas the heads of all the Chandalas of the world. Appoint Chandanaka the Chief of Police of the whole country. As for the brother-in-law of the king, let him continue to do whatever he was doing earlier on.

SHARVILAKA: Just as you wish. Let him go, let him go. I would kill him though.

CHARUDATTA: One who surrenders must be protected.

SHARVILAKA: What else could we do to please you, sir?²⁵

CHARUDATTA: Are there still any more agreeable things left?

My character has been cleared;

This man, the enemy who fell at my feet seeking refuge,

Has been freed.

My dear friend Aryaka, all his foes uprooted,

Now rules the earth.

My beloved is mine once again,

And you, united with your friend Aryaka

I have now gained as my friend as well.

What else can remain unattained beyond all this,

That I should now ask you for it?

Some are emptied, and some filled,

Some are raised up, and some swung down,

And yet others plunged into anxiety;

Making everyone understand that the world is truly a mixture of opposites,

Fate plays on,

Exemplifying the maxim of the ‘Waterwheel and the Pots’.²⁶

The benediction of all the actors

May the cows brim with milk,

And the earth be prosperous with plentiful corn.

Let the rain god send timely showers;

Let the breeze blow delighting the hearts of one and all.

May all living beings be happy,

May the brahmanas be always revered, and good men be blessed with wealth,

And the kings devoted to righteousness protect the earth.

With all their enemies vanquished.²⁷

(Exit all)