नाट्यशास्त्रम् — प्रथमोऽध्याय:

श्रीरस्तु भरतमुनिप्रणीतं नाट्यशास्त्रम्

अथ प्रथमोऽध्यायः

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवौ पितामहमहेश्वरौ ।
नाट्यशास्त्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि ब्रह्मणा यदुदाहृतम् ॥

Summary AI Having bowed my head to the two gods, Brahma and Maheshvara, I will now expound on the Natyashastra, which was articulated by Brahma.

१.२

समाप्तजप्यं व्रतिनं स्वसुतैः परिवारितम् ।
अनध्याये कदाचित्तु भरतं नाट्यकोविदम् ॥

Summary AI Once, during a break from studies, sages approached Bharata, an expert in dramaturgy, who had completed his recitations, was observing vows, and was surrounded by his sons.

१.३

मुनयः पर्युपास्यैनमात्रेयप्रमुखाः पुरा ।
पप्रच्छुस्ते महात्मानो नियतेन्द्रियबुद्धयः ॥

Summary AI In the past, great-souled sages led by Atreya, with their senses and intellect controlled, approached and questioned Bharata.

१.४

योऽयं भगवता सम्यग्ग्रथितो वेदसम्मितः ।
नाट्यवेदं कथं ब्रह्मन्नुत्पन्नः कस्य वा कृते ॥

Summary AI "O Brahman (Bharata), this Natyaveda, which was well-composed by the venerable one (Brahma) and is equivalent to the Vedas, how did it originate, and for whose sake was it created?"

१.५

कत्यङ्गः किंप्रमाणश्च प्रयोगश्चास्य कीदृशः ।
सर्वमेतद्यथातत्त्वं भगवन्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥

Summary AI "How many parts does it have? What is its extent? And what is the nature of its performance? O venerable one, you should explain all this to us in its true essence."

१.६

तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा मुनीनां भरतो मुनिः ।
प्रत्युवाच ततो वाक्यं नाट्यवेदकथां प्रति ॥

Summary AI Then, having heard the words of those sages, the sage Bharata replied with a statement concerning the story of the Natyaveda.

१.७

भवद्भिः शुचिभिर्भूत्वा तथाऽवहितमानसैः ।
श्रूयतां नाट्यवेदस्य सम्भवो ब्रह्मनिर्मितः ॥

Summary AI "Having become pure and with attentive minds, may you listen to the origin of the Natyaveda, which was created by Brahma."

१.८

पूर्वं कृतयुगे विप्रा वृत्ते स्वायंभुवेऽन्तरे ।
त्रेतायुगेऽथ सम्प्राप्ते मनोर्वैवस्वतस्य तु ॥

Summary AI "O Brahmins, formerly, when the Krita Yuga within the Svayambhuva Manvantara had passed, and then the Treta Yuga of Vaivasvata Manu had arrived..."

१.९

ग्राम्यधर्मप्रवृत्ते तु कामलोभवशं गते ।
ईर्ष्याक्रोधादिसंमूढे लोके सुखितदुःखिते ॥

Summary AI ...and the world, given to vulgar ways, had fallen under the sway of desire and greed, and was bewildered by jealousy, anger, and other passions, experiencing both pleasure and pain...

१.१०

देवदानवगन्धर्वयक्षरक्षोमहोरगैः ।
जम्बुद्वीपे समाक्रान्ते लोकपालप्रतिष्ठिते ॥

Summary AI ...and when Jambudvipa, established by the guardians of the world, was overrun by Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, and great serpents...

१.११

महेन्द्रप्रमुखैर्देवैरुक्तः किल पितामहः ।
क्रीडनीयकमिच्छामो दृष्यं श्रव्यं च यद्भवेत् ॥

Summary AI It is said that the gods, led by Mahendra (Indra), spoke to Pitamaha (Brahma): "We desire a plaything that can be both seen and heard."

१.१२

न वेदव्यवहारोऽयं संश्राव्यः शूद्रजातिषु ।
तस्मात्सृजापरं वेदं पञ्चमं सार्ववर्णिकम् ॥

Summary AI "This Vedic practice is not to be heard by the Shudra caste. Therefore, create another, a fifth Veda, that will be accessible to all castes."

१.१३a

एवमस्त्विति तानुक्त्वा देवराजं विसृज्य च ।
सस्मार चतुरो वेदान्योगमास्थाय तत्त्ववित् ॥

Summary AI The knower of truth (Brahma), after saying "So be it" to them and dismissing the king of gods (Indra), entered a state of meditative concentration and recalled the four Vedas.

१.१३b

नेमे वेदा यतः श्राव्याः स्त्रीशूद्राद्यासु जातिषु ।
वेदमन्यत्ततः स्रक्ष्ये सर्वश्राव्यं तु पञ्चमम् ॥

Summary AI "Because these Vedas are not to be heard by castes such as women and Shudras, therefore I will create another, a fifth Veda, which will indeed be audible to all."

१.१४

धर्म्यमर्थ्यं यशस्यं च सोपदेश्यं ससङ्ग्रहम् ।
भविष्यतश्च लोकस्य सर्वकर्मानुदर्शकम् ॥

Summary AI (I will create a Veda that is) conducive to righteousness, wealth, and fame, containing good counsel and a compendium of knowledge, and serving as a guide to all actions for future generations.

१.१५

सर्वशात्रार्थसम्पन्नं सर्वशिल्पप्रवर्तकम् ।
नाट्याख्यं पञ्चमं वेदं सेतिहासं करोम्यहम् ॥

Summary AI "I am creating the fifth Veda, named Natya, which is endowed with the meaning of all scriptures, promotes all arts and crafts, and is accompanied by historical narratives (Itihasa)."

१.१६

एवं सङ्कल्प्य भगवान्सर्ववेदाननुस्मरन् ।
नाट्यवेदं ततश्चक्रे चतुर्वेदाङ्गसम्भवम् ॥

Summary AI Having thus resolved, the venerable Lord (Brahma), while contemplating all the Vedas, then created the Natyaveda, which originated from the elements of the four Vedas.

१.१७

जग्राह पाठ्यमृग्वेदात्सामभ्यो गीतमेव च ।
यजुर्वेदादभिनयान्रसानाथर्वणादपि ॥

Summary AI He took the recitative text (pathya) from the Rigveda, the song (gita) from the Samaveda, the histrionic representation (abhinaya) from the Yajurveda, and the sentiments (rasas) from the Atharvaveda.

१.१८

वेदोपवेदैः सम्बद्धो नाट्यवेदो महात्मना ।
एवं भगवता सृष्टो ब्रह्मणा सर्ववेदिना ॥

Summary AI Thus, the Natyaveda, connected with the main Vedas and the subsidiary Vedas, was created by the great-souled, venerable, and all-knowing Brahma.

१.१९

उत्पाद्य नाट्यवेदं तु ब्रह्मोवाच सुरेश्वरम् ।
इतिहासो मया सृष्टः स सुरेषु नियुज्यताम् ॥

Summary AI Having created the Natyaveda, Brahma then spoke to the lord of the gods (Indra): "This historical work has been created by me. Let it be employed among the gods."

१.२०

कुशला ये विदग्धाश्च प्रगल्भाश्च जितश्रमाः ।
तेष्वयं नाट्यसंज्ञो हि वेदः संक्राम्यतां त्वया ॥

Summary AI "Let this Veda, known as Natya, be passed on by you to those who are skillful, clever, bold, and have overcome fatigue."

१.२१

तच्छृत्वा वचनं शक्रो ब्रह्मणा यदुदाहृतम् ।
प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा प्रत्युवाच पितामहम् ॥

Summary AI Having heard those words which were spoken by Brahma, Shakra (Indra), with folded hands and bowing down, replied to Pitamaha (Brahma).

१.२२

ग्रहणे धारणे ज्ञाने प्रयोगे चास्य सत्तम ।
अशक्ता भगवन्देवा अयोग्या नाट्यकर्मणि ॥

Summary AI "O best of beings, O venerable one, the gods are incapable of grasping, retaining, understanding, and performing this. They are unfit for the task of dramaturgy."

१.२३

य इमे वेदगुह्यज्ञा ऋषयः संशितव्रताः ।
एतेऽस्य ग्रहणे शक्ताः प्रयोगे धारणे तथा ॥

Summary AI "These sages, who know the secrets of the Vedas and are of sharpened vows, they are capable of grasping, performing, and retaining it."

१.२४

श्रुत्वा तु शक्रवचनं मामाहाम्बुजसम्भवः ।
त्वं पुत्रशतसंयुक्तः प्रयोक्ताऽस्य भवानघ ॥

Summary AI (Bharata says:) "Then, having heard Shakra's words, the lotus-born (Brahma) said to me: 'O sinless one, you, along with your hundred sons, be the performer of this (Natyaveda).'"

१.२५

आज्ञापितो विदित्वाऽहं नाट्यवेदं पितामहात् ।
पुत्रानध्यापयामास प्रयोगं चापि तत्त्वतः ॥

Summary AI Having been commanded by and having learned the Natyaveda from Pitamaha (Brahma), I taught my sons its practical application in its true essence.

१.२६

शाण्डिल्यं चैव वात्स्यं च कोहलं दत्तिलं तथा ।
जटिलम्बष्टकौ चैव तण्डुमग्निशिखं तथा ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Shandilya, Vatsya, Kohala, and Dattila, as well as the pair Jatila and Ambastha, and also Tandu and Agnishikha.

१.२७

सैन्धवं सपुलोमानं शाड्वलिं विपुलं तथा ।
कपिञ्जलिं वादिरं च यमधूम्रायणौ तथा ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Saindhava, Sapuloman, Shadvali, and Vipula, as well as Kapinjali, Vadira, and the pair Yama and Dhumrayana.

१.२८

जम्बुध्वजं काकजङ्घं स्वर्णकं तापसं तथा ।
कैदारिं शालिकर्णं च दीर्घगात्रं च शालिकम् ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Jambudhvaja, Kakajangha, Svarnaka, and Tapasa, as well as Kaidari, Shalikarna, Dirghagatra, and Shalika.

१.२९

कौत्सं ताण्डायनिं चैव पिङ्गलं चित्रकं तथा ।
बन्धुलं भल्लकं चैव मुष्ठिकं सैन्धवायनम् ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Kautsa and Tandayani, as well as Pingala and Chitraka, and also Bandhula, Bhallaka, Mushtika, and Saindhayana.

१.३०

तैतिलं भार्गवं चैव शुचिं बहुलमेव च ।
अबुधं बुधसेनं च पाण्डुकर्णं सुकेरलम् ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Taitila and Bhargava, as well as Shuchi and Bahula, and also Abudha, Budhasena, Pandukarna, and Sukerala.

१.३१

ऋजुकं मण्डकं चैव शम्बरं वञ्जुलं तथा ।
मागधं सरलं चैव कर्तारं चोग्रमेव च ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Rijuka and Mandaka, as well as Shambara and Vanjula, and also Magadha, Sarala, Kartri, and Ugra.

१.३२

तुषारं पार्षदं चैव गौतमं बादरायणम् ।
विशालं शबलं चैव सुनामं मेषमेव च ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Tushara and Parshada, as well as Gautama and Badarayana, and also Vishala, Shabala, Sunaman, and Mesha.

१.३३

कालियं भ्रमरं चैव तथा पीठमुखं मुनिम् ।
नखकुट्टाश्मकुट्टौ च षट्पदं सोत्तमं तथा ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Kaliya and Bhramara, as well as Pithamukha and Muni, and also the pair Nakhakutta and Ashmakutta, Shatpada, and Sottama.

१.३४

पादुकोपानहौ चैव श्रुतिं चाषस्वरं तथा ।
अग्निकुण्डाज्यकुण्डौ च वितण्ड्य ताण्ड्यमेव च ॥

Summary AI (I taught) the pair Paduka and Upanah, as well as Shruti and Chashasvara, and also the pair Agnikunda and Ajyakunda, Vitandya, and Tandya.

१.३५

कर्तराक्षं हिरण्याक्षं कुशलं दुस्सहं तथा ।
लाजं भयानकं चैव बीभत्सं सविचक्षणम् ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Kartaraksha, Hiranyaksha, Kushala, and Dussaha, as well as Laja and Bhayanaka, and also Bibhatsa and Savichakshana.

१.३६

पुण्ड्राक्षं पुण्ड्रनासं चाप्यसितं सितमेव च ।
विद्युज्जिह्वं महाजिह्वं शालङ्कायनमेव च ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Pundraksha and Pundranasa, and also Asita and Sita, Vidyujjihva, Mahajihva, and Shalankayana.

१.३७

श्यामायनं माठरं च लोहिताङ्गं तथैव च ।
संवर्तकं पञ्चशिखं त्रिशिखं शिखमेव च ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Shyamayana and Mathara, and also Lohitanga, as well as Samvartaka, Panchashikha, Trishikha, and Shikha.

१.३८

शङ्खवर्णमुखं शण्डं शङ्कुकर्णमथापि च ।
शक्रनेमिं गभस्तिं चाप्यंशुमालिं शठं तथा ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Shankhavarnamukha, Shanda, and Shankukarna, and also Shakranemi, Gabhasti, Anshumali, and Shatha.

१.३९

विद्युतं शातजङ्घं च रौद्रं वीरमथापि च ।
पितामहाज्ञयाऽस्माभिर्लोकस्य च गुणेप्सया ॥

Summary AI (I taught) Vidyut, Shatajangha, Raudra, and Vira. This was done by us at the command of Pitamaha (Brahma) and out of a desire for the good of the world.

१.४०

प्रयोजितं पुत्रशतं यथाभूमिविभागशः ।
यो यस्मिन्कर्मणि यथा योग्यस्तस्मिन्स योजितः ॥

Summary AI The hundred sons were employed according to their respective roles and divisions. Whoever was suited for a particular task was assigned to that very task.

१.४१

भारतीं सात्वतीं चैव वृईत्तिमारभटीं तथा ।
समाश्रितः प्रयोगस्तु प्रयुक्तो वै मया द्विजाः ॥

Summary AI O Brahmanas, the performance based on the styles (vrittis) of Bharati, Sattvati, and Arabhati was indeed staged by me.

१.४२

परिगृह्य प्रणम्याथ ब्रह्मा विज्ञापितो मया ।
अथाह मां सुरगुरुः कैशिकिमपि योजय ॥

Summary AI Then, after accepting and bowing, Brahma was informed by me. Then the preceptor of the gods (Brahma) said to me, "Incorporate the Kaishiki style as well."

१.४३

यच्च तस्याः क्षमं द्रव्यं तद्ब्रूहि द्विजसत्तम ।
एवं तेनास्म्यभिहितः प्रत्युक्तश्च मया प्रभुः ॥

Summary AI (Brahma said,) "O best of Brahmanas, tell me what suitable material is required for it." Thus I was addressed by him, and I, in turn, replied to the Lord.

१.४४

दीयतां भगवन्द्रव्यं कैशिक्याः सम्प्रयोजकम् ।
नृत्ताङ्गहारसम्पन्ना रसभावक्रियात्मिका ॥

Summary AI (I replied,) "O Lord, let the material required for performing the Kaishiki style be provided. This style is rich in dance and graceful movements (angaharas) and is characterized by the actions of sentiments (rasa) and emotions (bhava)."

१.४५

दृष्टा मया भगवतो नीलकण्ठस्य नृत्यतः ।
कैशिकी ष्लक्ष्णनैपथ्या शृङ्गाररससम्भवा ॥

Summary AI I have seen the Kaishiki style, which involves delicate costumes and arises from the erotic sentiment (shringara rasa), in the dance of the blessed Nilakantha (Shiva) as he was dancing.

१.४६

अशक्या पुरुषैः सा तु प्रयोक्तुं स्त्रीजनादृते ।
ततोऽसृजन्महातेजा मनसाऽप्सरसो विभुः ॥

Summary AI But that style cannot be performed by men without women. Therefore, the all-powerful and greatly effulgent Lord (Brahma) created Apsaras from his mind.

१.४७

नाट्यालङ्कारचतुराः प्रादान्मह्यं प्रयोगतः ।
मञ्जुकेशीं सुकेशीं च मिश्रकेशीं सुलोचनाम् ॥

Summary AI He (Brahma) gave to me, for the purpose of performance, Apsaras who were skilled in the embellishments of drama: Manjukeshi, Sukeshi, Mishrakeshi, and Sulochana.

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