s
mythology, but is based on a historical or epic tradition, v|
which recurs in a somewhat different form in Soraadeva's ^|
Kathasarit-sagara. As concerned with the second marriage of |
the King, it forms a sequel to the popular love-story of Vasava- |
datta. It is impossible to say whether the poet modified the d
main outlines of traditional story, but the character of a 1
magician who conjures up a vision of the gods and a conflagra- ' tion is his invention, as well as the incidents which are entirely -of a domestic nature."
The Nagananda, in four acts, describes the story of Jimutavahana, a prince of the Vidyadharas, who, swayed by sentiments of universal love, relinqyishes his kingdom to serve his parents in the forest. There in the Malaya mountain he falls in love with the daughter of the Gandharva King; and roaming about by chance, fresh from the wedding, he hears that the King of Serpents has made peace with Garuda and stipu- • lated to offer a serpent each day to the kite. The heart of the prince is moved. He resolves to save the life of that day's victim even at the risk of his own. Garuda finds out that by mistake he has harmed the disguised prince and overpowered with grief learnt that abstinence from cruelty is the highest virtue o% earth. The play ends with the appearance of the 'Goddess Gauri, who revives the prince to life. It is a sensational piece, says Mac Doneli u with a Buddhistic colouring, the hero being a Buddhist and Buddha being praised in the introductory benedictions." That the play seeks to illustrate a Buddhistic doctrine cannot be conceded. This idea of •self-sacrifice is not the tenet solely of the religion of Buddha without any recognition in the religion of the Vedas. Compassion to all is the highest doctrine inculcated both in the Ramayana and in the Mahabharata—decidedly pre-Buddhistie 6hat the Puranas weres weji-known by that day and that the poet might have preferred the account pf,the Matsya finding it., more, suitable for drama-tisation? ' . • • • . /•;-.: ". ... -' '-•• ..;-• ' . ' . f,/: \\