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Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū – Analysis

By Vijay Pandya

Vol. 352012pp. 178–181English

Summary

This article studies the Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū, a narrative that combines prose and verse to recount the legendary story of King Nala and Princess Damayantī. The campū genre allows the author to shift between descriptive prose and ornate poetry, enriching the storytelling. The study analyses the structure of the narrative, noting how the introduction sets the scene, the central section develops the protagonists’ trials, and the conclusion brings about reunion and moral resolution. It highlights the skilful use of metres, alliteration and rhetorical figures in the verses, as well as the economy of language in the prose portions. Comparisons are drawn with earlier versions of the Nala–Damayantī story in the Mahābhārata and the Nalacampū of Trivikramabhaṭṭa. The author argues that the Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū stands out for its sensitive portrayal of Damayantī’s steadfastness and Nala’s redemption. The article concludes that this work exemplifies the flexibility of the campū form, which could be adapted to various narratives and audiences.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.

Conclusion

By examining structure and style, the article shows how the campū form revitalises classical stories. The Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū’s blend of emotional narrative and poetic embellishment highlights the enduring appeal of the Nala–Damayantī romance.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “We know that the source of the Damayanti - Katha Campith is obviously the Great Epic Mahabharata (Mbh.) which says in the introductory verses Taearrreesrmsrrd agg: | (Mbh. Critical Edition, 1-2-237 a), poets are born from this historical account of the Mahabharata.”
  • “Trivikrama Bhatta has been under the influence of the great prince of prose writers of Sanskrit literature Bana and almost taken one of the images from Bana’s Harsacarita, while describing the pregnancy especially of the queen of Virasena who was carrying Nala in her womb.”
  • “Notwithstanding these minor lapses, the editor Mahopadhyaya Vinayasagara has very meticulously, diligently and with great erudition has edited the commentary by Shri Gunavinayagani on the Damayanti - Katha-Campiih.”

Works cited in this article

  1. Alf Hiltebeitel, Authorial Paths Through the Two Sanskrit Epics, Via the Ramopakhyana, in the Epic Undertakings, Pub. Motilal Banarsidass (MLBD), First Edn. 2009 P. 170
  2. M. Winternitz, History of Indian Literature, Vol.II], MLBD, 1922, First English Edn, 1967, P. 414
  3. A. B. Keith, A History of Sanskrit Literature, MLBD, 2010, P.332.
  4. M. Krishnamachariar, History of Classical Sanskrit Literature, MLBD, First Edn. 1937, here reference is from 2009 p. 497
  5. S. K. De, a History of Sanskrit Literature, Classical Period, University of Calcutta, 1962, p. 435

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In this issue

Vol. 35
1–4Prime Minister’s Address at the World Sanskrit Conference5–10Spirituality in ReligionAcharya Shantideva11–32Early Jainism and Śaivism: Interaction and CounteractionBansidhar Bhatt33–48Earliest Portions of the Daśavaikālika‑sūtraM. A. Dhaky49–57Nishidhis and Muḍinjas RevisitedHampa Nagarajaiah58–70On Some Tīrthas in the Vāmana‑purāṇaSatyavrat Verma71–81Palaeography as Found in BuddhismDinanath Sharma82–89Bhartṛhari’s Approach to Vākya‑ŚaktiGayatri Rath90–94Some Interesting Cultural Data in the Bhuvanasundarī‑KathāM. A. Dhaky95–98Post Independence Activities of B.J. Institute Museum, AhmedabadVibhuti V. Bhatt99–114Jainas’ Epistemic Contribution to Non‑Jaina PhilosophyDyuti Jayendrakumar Yajnik115–123संस्कृत भाषा एवं साहित्य के क्षेत्र में जैन श्रमण परम्परा का अवदानSagarmal Jain124–128अद्वैत वेदान्त एवं शुद्धाद्वैत में तत्त्वमीमांसा : एक दृष्टिNamita Kapoor129–131વૈદિક વ્રતોત્સવમાં વનસ્પતિપૂજાMahendrakumar A. Dave132–148સ્વામિનારાયણ સંપ્રદાયની શિક્ષાપત્રીનો ઈતિહાસSadhu Shrutiprakashdas149–163સોકોત્રા ટાપુ પરથી પ્રાપ્ત ગુજરાતી શિલાલેખો વિ.સં. ૧૭૨૯ (ઈ.સ. ૧૬૬૨) અને વિ.સં.૧૭૭૫ (ઈ.સ.૧૭૧૮)Bharti Shelat164–175Ṛṣidattacaritra SaṃgrahaNarayan M. Kansara176–177Hinduism – An Introduction (Parts 1 & 2) by Sadhu Vivekjivandas – ReviewSadhu Vivekjivandas178–181Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū – AnalysisVijay PandyaCurrent article182Hetubindutīkā by Ārcaṭa Bhaṭṭa – ReviewBalaji Ganorkar183–189परमसुख की साधनाः विपश्यना: कन्हैयालालजी लोढ़ाSagarmal Jain190जैनदर्शन में द्रव्य गुण पर्याय की अवधारणाBalaji Ganorkar191–192શુદ્ધ ઈતિહાસ ગવેષણા અને ગહન અધ્યયનના ક્ષેત્રમાં પ્રો. મધુસૂદન ઢાંકીનું એક વધુ યોગદાનM. A. Dhaky, Upadhyay Bhuvanchandraji M.S.193–205કૌટિલીય અર્થશાસ્ત્ર : દાર્શનિક-સાંસ્કૃતિક પરીક્ષણ (ઈન્દ્રિયજય આધારિત રાષ્ટ્રજીવન) લેખક : નીતીન દેસાઈ (૨૦૧૦)Madhusudan Baxi206–212LDII News in ShortBalaji Ganorkar

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