Hail Vardhaman – Act II
Summary
The article presents a dramatic scene from "Hail Vardhaman – Act II," focusing on the young Prince Vardhaman’s extraordinary feats of bravery. The subject of the text is the narrative of Prince Vardhaman taming a ferocious elephant and a deadly king cobra. The main argument conveyed through the dialogue is that the Prince possesses a divine spark bestowed upon him by Lord Parshvanath, which allows him to subdue the most dangerous creatures without weapons or fear, earning him the title "Vardhaman, the Brave." The evidence for this argument is provided through the testimony of Prince Vijaya, Prince Sumitra, and Commander-in-Chief Girisen. According to Vijaya and Sumitra, while they were practicing marksmanship at the Range with the Prince, an elephant broke loose from the stable and ran north. The Prince, who was practicing in the playground, confronted the elephant. He stood unarmed before the charging beast, placed his foot on its trunk, and climbed onto its brow to control it. He then subdued the elephant with a mysterious tickling gesture and a magic spell, causing it to stand still and raise its trunk in respectful obeisance. Immediately after, a deadly king cobra sprang from a Banyan tree, which the Prince caught by its tail and threw away. The sources discussed in the text are the characters themselves, who recount these events to King Siddhartha. The King, observing the events from his richly-decorated Assembly Hall, attributes his son's abilities to the grace of Lord Parshvanath, whose portrait hangs on the front wall. The dialogue establishes that the Prince's humility and lack of self-praise further highlight his divine nature, as he remains passionless and content even after performing such valiant acts.
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Conclusion
The play establishes Prince Vardhaman as an extraordinary figure endowed with innate bravery and a divine spark, directly attributed to the grace of Lord Parshvanath. His remarkable ability to tame a ferocious elephant and a deadly king cobra demonstrates his inherent spiritual power and fearlessness, setting the stage for his future significance. This early portrayal highlights his detachment from worldly praise and his humble nature, contrasting his public valor with his personal simplicity. The narrative underscores the theme of divine intervention in human affairs, suggesting that Vardhaman’s actions are not merely feats of physical strength but manifestations of a higher spiritual destiny. Ultimately, the act serves to introduce the prince as a pivotal character whose extraordinary qualities and divine connection foreshadow his future role, while reinforcing the central religious motif of Parshvanath’s guiding presence in his life.