नाट्यशास्त्रम् — तृतीयोऽध्याय:

अथ तृतीयोध्यायः

सर्वलक्षणसंपन्ने कृते नाट्यगृहे शुभे ।
गावो वसेयुः सप्ताहं सह जप्यपरैर्द्विजैः ॥

Summary AI When the auspicious playhouse, complete with all its prescribed features, has been built, cows should dwell there for a week along with Brahmins engaged in chanting prayers.

३.२

ततोऽधिवासयेद्वेश्म रङ्गपीठं तथैव च ।
मन्त्रपूतेन तोयेन प्रोक्षिताङ्गो निशागमे ॥

Summary AI Then, at nightfall, the master of the drama, having sprinkled his own limbs with mantra-purified water, should consecrate the playhouse and the stage as well.

३.३

यथास्थानान्तरगतो दीक्षितः प्रयतः शुचिः ।
त्रिरात्रोपोषितो भूत्वा नाट्याचार्योऽहताम्बरः ॥

Summary AI The master of the drama, having fasted for three nights, positioned in the proper place, initiated, self-controlled, pure, and wearing unbleached garments... (continued in the next verse).

३.४

नमस्कृत्य महादेवं सर्वलोकोद्भवं भवम् ।
जगत्पितामहं चैव विष्णुमिन्द्रं गुहं तथा ॥

Summary AI ...having paid homage to Mahadeva, Bhava the source of all worlds, and also to Jagat-pitamaha (Brahma), as well as Vishnu, Indra, and Guha (Kartikeya)... (continued).

३.५

सरस्वतीं च लक्ष्मीं च सिद्धिं मेधां धृतिं स्मृतिम् ।
सोमं सूर्यं च मरुतो लोकपालांस्तथाश्विनौ ॥

Summary AI ...Sarasvati and Lakshmi, Siddhi (Success), Medha (Intellect), Dhriti (Fortitude), Smriti (Memory), Soma, Surya, the Maruts, the Lokapalas (Guardians of the directions), and the two Ashvins... (continued).

३.६

मित्रमग्निं सुरान्वर्णान्रुद्रान्कालं कलिं तथा ।
मृत्युं च नियतिं चैव कालदण्डं तथैव च ॥

Summary AI ...Mitra, Agni, the Suras, the Varnas (social classes), the Rudras, and also Kala (Time), Kali (Strife), Mrityu (Death), Niyati (Fate), and also Kaladanda (the staff of Time)... (continued).

३.७

विष्णुप्रहरणं चैव नागराजं च वासुकिम् ।
वज्रं विद्युत्समुद्रांश्च गन्धर्वाप्सरसो मुनीन् ॥

Summary AI ...the weapons of Vishnu, the serpent-king Vasuki, the Vajra (thunderbolt), lightnings and oceans, the Gandharvas and Apsaras, and the sages... (continued).

३.८

भूतान्पिशाचान्यक्षांश्च गुह्यकांश्च महेश्वरान् ।
असुरान्नाट्यविघ्नांश्च तथाऽन्यान्दैत्यराक्षसान् ॥

Summary AI ...the Bhutas, Pishachas, Yakshas, Guhyakas, Maheshvaras (followers of Shiva), Asuras, the obstacles to the drama, and also other Daityas and Rakshasas... (continued).

३.९

तथा नाट्यकुमारीश्च महाग्रामण्यमेव च ।
यक्षांश्च गुह्यकांश्चैव भूतसङ्घास्तथैव च ॥

Summary AI ...and also the celestial maidens of the drama, the great leader of the Ganas (Mahagramani), the Yakshas, the Guhyakas, and also the hosts of Bhutas.

३.१०

एतांश्चान्यांश्च देवर्षीन्प्रणम्य रचिताञ्जलिः ।
यथास्थानान्तरगतान्समावाह्य ततो वदेत् ॥

Summary AI Then, with hands folded in reverence, after bowing to and invoking these and other divine sages who have returned to their respective places, one should speak.

३.११

भवद्भिर्नो निशायां तु कर्तव्यः सम्परिग्रहः ।
साहाय्यं चैव दातव्यमस्मिन्नाट्ये सहानुगैः ॥

Summary AI "You should accept our offering at night. And you, along with your followers, must also provide assistance in this dramatic performance."

३.१२

सम्पूज्य सर्वानेकत्र कुतपं सम्प्रयुज्य च ।
जर्जराय प्रयुञ्जीत पूजां नाट्यप्रसिद्धये ॥

Summary AI Having worshipped everyone together and having arranged the musical ensemble, one should offer worship to the Jarjara (Indra's banner) for the success of the play.

३.१३

त्वं महेन्द्रप्रहरणं सर्वदानवसूदनम् ।
निर्मितस्सर्वदेवैश्च सर्वविघ्ननिबर्हण ॥

Summary AI "O destroyer of all obstacles! You are the weapon of the great Indra, the slayer of all demons, and you have been created by all the gods."

३.१४

नृपस्य विजयं शंस रिपूणां च पराजयम् ।
गोब्राह्मणशिवं चैव नाट्यस्य च विवर्धनम् ॥

Summary AI "Proclaim the victory of the king and the defeat of his enemies, the well-being of cows and Brahmins, and also the prosperity of the dramatic arts."

३.१५

एवं कृत्वा यथान्यायमुपास्यं नाट्यमण्डपे ।
निशायां तु प्रभातायां पूजनं प्रक्रमेदिह ॥

Summary AI Having thus performed the rites according to the rules and having worshipped in the playhouse, one should then begin the worship here when the night has turned into dawn.

३.१६

आर्द्रायां वा मघायां वा याम्ये पूर्वेषु वा त्रिषु ।
आश्लेषामूलयोर्वापि कर्तव्यं रङ्गपूजनम् ॥

Summary AI The worship of the stage should be performed during the lunar mansions of Ardra, Magha, Bharani (Yamya), or the three Purvas (Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada), or Ashlesha and Mula.

३.१७

आचार्येण तु युक्तेन शुचिना दीक्षितेन च ।
रङ्गस्योद्योतनं कार्यं देवतानां च पूजनम् ॥

Summary AI The consecration of the stage and the worship of the deities should be performed by a qualified, pure, and initiated Acharya (director/teacher).

३.१८

दिनान्ते दारुणे घोरे मुहूर्ते यमदैवते ।
आचम्य तु यथान्यायं देवता वै निवेशयत् ॥

Summary AI At the end of the day, during a fierce and terrible muhurta (time-period) presided over by Yama, one should, after sipping water according to the rules, indeed install the deities.

३.१९

रक्ताः प्रतिसराः सूत्रं रक्तगन्धाश्च पूजिताः ।
रक्ताः सुमनसश्चैव यच्च रक्तं फलं भवेत् ॥

Summary AI Red protective threads, red paste, and worshipped red flowers should be used, as well as whatever red fruit may be available.

३.२०

यवैस्सिद्धार्थकैर्लाजैरक्षतैः शालितण्डुलैः ।
नागपुष्पस्य चूर्णेन वितुषाभिः प्रियङ्गुभिः ॥

Summary AI (The worship should be done) with barley, white mustard seeds, parched grain, unbroken rice grains, rice from Shali paddy, powder of Nagakesara flowers, and de-husked Priyangu seeds.

३.२१

एतैर्द्रव्यैर्युतं कुर्याद्देवतानां निवेशनम् ।
आलिखेन्मण्डलं पूर्वं यथास्थानं यथाविधिः ॥

Summary AI One should perform the installation of the deities accompanied by these materials. First, one should draw a mandala (sacred diagram) in the proper place and according to the prescribed rules.

३.२२

समन्तस्तश्च कर्तव्यं हस्ता षोडश मण्डलम् ।
द्वाराणि चात्र कुर्वीत विधानेन चतुर्दिशम् ॥

Summary AI The mandala should be made sixteen hands (cubits) on all sides. And here, one should make doors in the four directions according to the rules.

३.२३

मध्ये चैवात्र कर्तव्ये द्वे रेखे तिर्यगूर्ध्वगे ।
तयोः कक्ष्याविभागेन दैवतानि निवेशयत् ॥

Summary AI In the middle of it, two lines, one horizontal and one vertical, should be drawn. The deities should be installed in the sections created by their division.

३.२४

पद्मोपविष्टं ब्रह्माणं तस्य मध्ये निवेशयेत् ।
आदौ निवेश्यो भगवान्सार्धं भूतगणैः शिवः ॥

Summary AI In its center, one should place Brahma seated on a lotus. First, Lord Shiva, along with his retinue of Bhutas, is to be installed.

३.२५

नारायणो महेन्द्रश्च स्कन्दः सूर्योऽश्विनौ शशी ।
सरस्वती च लक्ष्मीश्च श्रद्धा मेधा च पूर्वतः ॥

Summary AI In the east, one should install Narayana, Mahendra, Skanda, Surya, the two Ashvins, Shashi (the Moon), Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Shraddha, and Medha.

३.२६

पूर्वदक्षिणतो वह्निर्निवेश्यः स्वाहया सह ।
विश्वेदेवाः सगन्धर्वा रुद्राः सर्पगणास्तथा ॥

Summary AI In the southeast, Vahni (Agni) should be installed along with Svaha. Likewise, the Vishvedevas, the Rudras with the Gandharvas, and the hosts of serpents should be installed there.

३.२७

दक्षिणेन निवेश्यस्तु यमो मित्रश्च सानुगः ।
पितॄन्पिशाचानुरगान्गुह्यकांश्च निवेशयत् ॥

Summary AI In the south, Yama and Mitra with their followers are to be installed. One should also place the Pitris (ancestors), Pishachas, Uragas (serpents), and Guhyakas there.

३.२८

नैॠत्यां राक्षसांश्चैव भूतानि च निवेशयत् ।
पश्चिमायां समुद्रांश्च वरुणं यादसां पतिम् ॥

Summary AI In the southwest, one should place the Rakshasas and the Bhutas. In the west, one should place the oceans and Varuna, the lord of aquatic creatures.

३.२९

वायव्यायां दिशि तथा सप्त वायून्निवेशयेत् ।
तत्रैव विनिवेश्यस्तु गरुडः पक्षिभिः सह ॥

Summary AI Likewise, in the northwest direction, one should install the seven Vayus (winds). There also, Garuda, along with other birds, is to be installed.

३.३०

उत्तरस्यां दिशि तथा धनदं संनिविएशयेत् ।
नाट्यस्य मातॄश्च तथा यक्षानथ सगुह्यकान् ॥

Summary AI In the northern direction, one should install Dhanada (Kubera). Likewise, the Matris (divine mothers) of the drama, and then the Yakshas along with the Guhyakas.

३.३१

तथैवोत्तरपूर्वायां नन्द्याद्यांश्च गणेश्वरान् ।
ब्रह्मर्षिभूतसंघांश्च यथाभागं निवेशयत् ॥

Summary AI Similarly, in the northeast, one should install the Ganesvaras headed by Nandi, and the hosts of Brahmarshis and Bhutas, each in their allotted portion.

३.३२

स्तम्भे सनत्कुमारं तु दक्षिणे दक्षमेव च ।
ग्रामण्यमुत्तरे स्तम्भे पूजार्थं संनिविशयेत् ॥

Summary AI On the southern pillar, one should install Sanatkumara and Daksha. On the northern pillar, one should install Gramani for the purpose of worship.

३.३३

अनेनैअव विधानेन यथास्थानं यथाविधि ।
सुप्रसादानि सर्वाणि दैवतानि निवेशयत् ॥

Summary AI By this very procedure, according to place and rule, one should install all the well-pleased deities.

३.३४

स्थाने स्थाने यथान्यायं विनिवेश्य तु देवताः ।
तासां प्रकुर्वीत ततः पूजनं तु यथार्हतः ॥

Summary AI Having installed the deities in their respective places according to the rules, one should then perform their worship as is befitting for each.

३.३५

देवताभ्यस्तु दातव्यं सितमाल्यानुलेपनम् ।
गन्धर्ववह्निसूर्योभ्यो रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनम् ॥

Summary AI White garlands and ointments should be offered to the deities. Red garlands and ointments should be offered to the Gandharvas, Vahni (Fire), and Surya (Sun).

३.३६

गन्धं माल्यं च धूपं च यथावदनुपूर्वशः ।
दत्वा ततः प्रकुर्वीत बलिं पूजां यथाविधिः ॥

Summary AI Having offered fragrance, garlands, and incense properly and in sequence, the one who knows the rules should then perform the offering (bali) and worship.

३.३७

ब्रह्माणं मदुकर्पेण पायसेन सरस्वतीम् ।
शिवविष्णुमहेन्द्राद्याः सम्पूज्या मोदकैरथ ॥

Summary AI Then, Brahma should be worshipped with 'madukarpa' and Sarasvati with 'payasa' (milk-pudding). Shiva, Vishnu, Mahendra, and others are to be worshipped with 'modakas' (sweet dumplings).

३.३८

घृतौदनेन हुतभुक्षोमर्कौ तु गुडौदनैः ।
विश्वेदेवाः सगन्धर्वा मुनयो मधुपायसैः ॥

Summary AI The Fire-god (Hutabhuk) should be worshipped with ghee-rice, and the Moon and Sun with jaggery-rice. The Vishvedevas, along with the Gandharvas and the sages, should be worshipped with honey-pudding.

३.३९

यममित्रौ च सम्पूज्यावपूपैर्मोदकैस्तथा ।
पितॄन्पिशाचानुरगान्सर्पिःक्षीरेण तर्पयेत् ॥

Summary AI Yama and Mitra are to be worshipped with cakes and sweet dumplings. One should propitiate the ancestors (Pitrs), Pishachas, and Uragas (serpents) with a mixture of ghee and milk.

३.४०

पक्वानेन तु मांसेन सुरासीथुफलासवैः ।
अर्चयेद्भूतसंघांश्च चणकैः पललाप्लुतैः ॥

Summary AI One should worship the hosts of Bhutas (spirits) with cooked meat, wine, rum, fruit-liquors, and also with chickpeas soaked in sesame paste.

३.४१

अनेनैव विधानेन सम्पूज्या मत्तवारणी ।
पक्वामेन तु मांसेन सम्पूज्या रक्षसां गणाः ॥

Summary AI The Mattavarani (a part of the playhouse) is to be worshipped with this very same procedure. The hosts of Rakshasas are to be worshipped with cooked and uncooked meat.

३.४२

सुरामांसप्रदानेअन दानवान्प्रतिपूजयेत् ।
शेषान्देवगणांस्तज्ज्ञः सापूपोत्कारिकौदनैः ॥

Summary AI The expert should worship the Danavas with offerings of wine and meat. The remaining groups of gods should be worshipped with rice, cakes, and 'utkarika' (a type of sweet).

३.४३

मत्स्यैश्च पिष्टभक्ष्यैश्च सागरान्सरितस्तथा ।
सम्पूज्य वरुणं चापि दातव्यं घृतपायसम् ॥

Summary AI Having worshipped the oceans and rivers with fish and flour-based foods, and also having worshipped Varuna, ghee-pudding should be offered.

३.४४

नानाफूलफलश्चापि मुनीन्सम्प्रतिपूजयेत् ।
वायूंश्च पक्षिणश्चैव विचित्रैर्भक्ष्यभोजनैः ॥

Summary AI One should also worship the sages with various flowers and fruits. The winds and birds should be worshipped with diverse and delicious foods.

३.४५

मातॄर्नाट्यस्य सर्वास्ता धनदं च सहानुगैः ।
अपूपैर्लाजिकामिश्रैर्भक्ष्यभोज्यैश्च पूजयेत् ॥

Summary AI One should worship all those mothers of the dramatic arts, and Dhanada (Kubera) along with his attendants, with cakes mixed with parched grain and other eatables.

३.४६

एवमेषां बलिः कार्यो नानाभोजनसंश्रयः ।
पुनर्मन्त्रविधानेन बलिकर्म च वक्ष्यते ॥

Summary AI In this way, the offering (bali) for them, consisting of various foods, should be performed. Now, the procedure for the offering with mantras will be described.

३.४७

देवदेव महाभाग सर्वलोकपितामह ।
मन्त्रपूतमिमं सर्वं प्रतिगृह्णीष्व मे बलिम् ॥

Summary AI O God of gods, O most fortunate one, O grandfather of all worlds (Brahma)! Please accept this entire offering of mine, purified by mantras.

३.४८

देवदेव महाभाग गणेश त्रिपुरान्तक ।
प्रगृह्यतां बलिर्देव मन्त्रपूतो मयोद्यतः ॥

Summary AI O God of gods, most fortunate Ganesha, destroyer of Tripura (Shiva)! O God, may this offering, prepared by me and purified by mantras, be accepted.

३.४९

नारायणामितगते पद्मनाभ सुरोत्तम ।
प्रगृह्यतां बलिर्देव मन्त्रपूतो मयार्पितः ॥

Summary AI O Narayana of immeasurable movement, O Padmanabha, O best of gods! O God, may this offering, offered by me and purified by mantras, be accepted.

Other texts to read

शृङ्गारप्रकाशः

चन्द्रालोकः जयदेवः

About

Resources