आश्चर्यचूडामणि:- Ascarya Chudamani (Introduction, Text and Sloka Index)

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About the Book Ascharyachuḍamanih written, by Saktibhadra is accepted as the carlicst of Sanskrit dramas of Southern India. The author is said to be a contemporary of Adiśankara. The drama has the famous story of the Rāmāyaṇa as its theme. It specially deals with those incidents of Räma's life which have been neglected by other dramatists. Through various incidents the author shows predominance of 'Adbhuta Rasa' in the drama. Quick actions and dramatic situations are its outstanding features. The Rāmāyaṇa story beginning with surpanakha episode and ending with the return of Rama, sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhyā ofter Rāvaṇavadha is depicted with great proficiency by the author.

About the Author Dr. (mrs.) Santosh is presently working as Reader in Sanskrit Department, Janki Devi Memorial College (University of Delhi). Her special fields of study are Drama and Epigraphy. She is associated with the research work in the field of epigraphy. She has directed a few Sanskrit damas. She participated in various Seminars and Conferences and presented the research papers there. She is also associated with media and has conducted some programmers for AIR and Doordarshan. She is office bearer of some social organizations.

Preface The Sanskrit dramas occupy a very important position in Sanskrit literature. These dramas cover a variety of themes associated with the milieu of Indian society. It is true that some of the Sanskrit dramas are well known not only in India but, they are very popular even outside India, whereas a good number of them though possessing a great literary merit are still unknown even the in our own country.

Ascharyachudamaṇiḥ of Śaktibhadra is accepted as the earliest Sanskrit drama of southern India. Its author Śaktibhadra is said to be contemporary of Adiśankara. The drama depicts the celebrated story of Rāmāyaṇa. The author specially depicts those incidents in the life of Rama, which have been neglected in the other dramas of Sanskrit literature. So far as the 'Rasa' is concerned, this drama excels in the treatment of the 'Adbhuta Rasa' in particular along with vira and srngara. The wonderful chudmaṇiḥ and the mudrika being presented to sită and Rama by the sages of Dandakāraṇya play a great role in the treatment of 'Adbhuta Rasa'. Another peculiarity of the drama is that it presents the prominent incidents in quick succession, which shows that the author commands a great proficiency in handling the dramatic theme.

**Contents and Sample Pages**