A critical study of the influence of Ashwaghosha-thera in Dileepa raja-varnana of Kalidasa.

Abstract

The great poetven.Ashvagosha is hailed as the first poet of the great Sanskrit poetry and the most prominent poet who took subject matters for poetry in Buddhist stories. His second poetic work is Saundarananda poetry collection. Kalidasa is hailed as the poet of the golden era of secular Sanskrit literature. Raghuvansha is considered the masterpiece of kalidasa. The origin and regal existence of sun dynasty and is the thematic concern of Raghuvansha, while much focus is given to the heroic deeds of the noble kings. Saundarananda poetry collection is woven around the legend of the prince Nanda and princess Sundari who were intended to get married. Its second part consists of an appreciation on King Suddhodhana. Raghuvansha also consists of an appreciation on King Dileepa. These two poetic works have influenced from one another. Commenting on it, many Indian Pundits believe that Ashwaghosha has been influenced by kalidasa. However, now it is commonly acknowledged that Kalsidasa had been influenced by Ashwaghosha. The hypotheis of this study is to examine whether the appreciation of King Suddhodana in Saundarananda had influenced the appreciation of king Dileepa in Raghuvansha. Raghuvansha appreciates king Dileepain 18 verses in the first part, whereas AshwagoshaPada appreciates King Suddhodana approximately in 44 verses in the second part. Both these appreciations hail wisdom, awareness and statecraft of these two kings in an identical manner. In addition to that attitudes towards rivals and companion are also identical. Moreover, many similar characteristics can be identified in terms of the presenting facts on moral values and statecraft. Therefore, the objective of this study is to elucidate sources to reinforce the idea that kalidasa had been influenced by Ashvaghosha.