'Kasiraja' of Bhasa - An Appraisal
Summary
Sudarshan Kumar Sharma’s article investigates the enigmatic figure referred to as ‘Kasiraja’ in two plays attributed to the ancient dramatist Bhasa—“Pratijna‑Yaugandharayana” and “Avimaraka”. The term literally means ‘king of Kasi’ (Varanasi), but Sharma argues that its specific referent is not immediately evident. He analyses the dramatic contexts: in Pratijna‑Yaugandharayana, a Kasiraja’s preceptor delivers a message to Mahasena, king of Ujjayini, seeking the hand of Mahasena’s daughter for the Kasiraja. In Avimaraka, references suggest political alliances involving Kasiraja. Sharma surveys historical and Puranic sources to identify plausible kings of Kasi during the relevant period, considering genealogies and inter‑kingdom relations. He also discusses how the epithet might denote not a historical king but a narrative type embodying royal virtues associated with the holy city. The article highlights that Bhasa’s plays, though set in legendary times, embed political realities and contemporary concerns, such as diplomacy, marriage alliances and succession. By scrutinising the term’s uses across the plays and juxtaposing them with known historical figures, Sharma proposes an identification and reflects on why Bhasa might have chosen to obscure the king’s identity. The investigation underscores the need for critical appraisal of seemingly minor details in classical drama and illustrates how literary study can inform historical reconstruction.
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Conclusion
By probing the identity behind ‘Kasiraja’, Sharma opens a window onto the interplay between literature and history in early Sanskrit drama. The article encourages readers to look beyond literal translations and to consider how dramaturges adapted historical references for narrative purposes. Such examinations enrich our understanding of Bhasa’s craftsmanship and the socio‑political milieu reflected in his plays.