१
प्रथमोऽङ्कः
A minister vows to rescue his captured king.
Summary
AI
:
Minister Yaugandharāyaṇa receives news that King Vatsarāja has fallen into the hands of his rival, Mahāsena. Fetters now bind the King’s arms, which were once accustomed to the weight of a bow and the embrace of friends. To counter this humiliation, the minister vows to release his master just as the moon escapes the shadow of Rāhu. He prepares a rescue strategy involving a madman disguise, confident that disciplined effort can extract fire from wood and water from the parched earth.
२
द्वितीयोऽङ्कः
Mahāsena seeks a son-in-law and hears of Udayana's capture.
Summary
AI
:
Mahāsena weighs the merits of kings from Magadha and Kāśī while seeking a husband for his daughter. He looks for noble lineage and valor, waiting specifically for news of the defiant Vatsarāja. A messenger reports Udayana’s capture, comparing the king to a lion bound for sacrifice. Though the captive famously charmed elephants with his vīṇā, he now faces imprisonment. Mahāsena’s victory turns to concern for his rival's safety, while his sons, Gopālaka and Anupālaka, practice statecraft and martial exercises.
३
तृतीयोऽङ्कः
A minister plans to rescue a captured king.
Summary
AI
:
A captive king bows to the gods while metal fetters, or nigala, clank in place of royal drums. He rests on a simple mat, his mind diverted from his chains by passion for Princess Vāsavadattā. Watching the night pass, his minister prepares a rescue. He vows to retrieve the king, the princess, the royal elephant, and the vīṇā. Like Arjuna seizing Subhadrā, he resolves to lead his master out of the enemy city or forfeit his own name and honor.
४
चतुर्थोऽङ्कः
Minister Yaugandharāyaṇa is captured while the king escapes.
Summary
AI
:
Yaugandharāyaṇa discards his rags to reveal a sharp sword and golden shield. He fights against an army, slaying elephants until his weapons break and he is captured. He rejoices because King Vatsarāja has already escaped on the elephant Bhadravatī. Confronting the enemy minister, he justifies his strategic deceptions and accepts his capture as a victory. The palace women perform the kautuka-kriyā ceremony for the king's safety, and the act concludes with a benediction for the kingdom’s prosperity.
॥ इति प्रतिज्ञायौगन्धरायणम् ॥
Other texts to read
About
Sanskrit Sahitya is a free, open-access digital library of classical Sanskrit literature with AI-powered tools and translations.