Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study)
by G. D. Jayalakshmi | 2019 | 58,344 words
This page relates ‘Analysis of Vicara (Nagarika)’ of the study on the Jivanandana (in English) which is a dramatic play written by Anadaraya Makhin in the 18th century. The Jivanandana praises the excellence of Advaita Vedanta, Ayurveda (medical science) and Dramatic literature as the triple agency for obtaining everlasting bliss.
Analysis of Vicāra (Nāgarika)
Vicāra is the name of the city policeman termed Nāgarika[1] of the hero’s team. Kiṅkara is his servant. Vicāra is specially instructed by Vijñāna Śarmā to be very strict about the safety measures of the capital city. This is due to the visit of the royal couple to Puṇḍarīkapura and also the impending invasion of the enemy team.
He was personally chosen by Vijñāna Śarmā as somebody equal to himself in thought and action and had been specifically ordered by him to guard the city (III.11/12; p.141):
tatra tatra vyāpṛtena mayā puraguptyai matsadṛśa eva ko'pi viniyukto vicāranāmā nāgārikaḥ |
Hence when the third Act opens Vicāra is seen capturing Gada (heart disease) a spy from the enemy king prowling in the capital city of Jīva at midnight. After due enquiry, since Gada accepted his crime and has given them a word of promise not to tell anybody, or return, he is released by Vicāra.
Again, the efficiency of Vicāra is seen in the fifth Act when Matsara reports to Pāṇḍu, the fate of the six in-born enemies whom Pāṇḍu had sent to disturb the mind of king Jīva.
Vijñāna Śarmā expecting such an attack had warned Vicāra to be on the alert and catch them, says Matsara (p.265):
svanāgarikāya vicārāya nagaraparyaṭanamapahāya tatraiva kāmādibhedane sāvadhānena stheyamiti vijṣānamantriṇā samādiṣṭam |
Executing the orders of the minister to perfection, Vicāra stood in protection of Jīva in Samādhi; when Kāma, Krodha, Lobha, Dambha, Mada and Mātsarya approached the place they were ably incapacitated by Vicāra with the exception Mātsarya, whom the minister sends away from the city to report to Pāṇḍu.
Vicara’s role as a vigilant and loyal policeman with high intelligence has been, thus, well portrayed by the dramatist.