Passages and Explanation of the play ‘The Envoy’

         1.      Don’t speak like that, Badarayana! Is that servant of your Kansa your best of men? Is that herder of cows your best of men? Is that your best of men who was deprived by Jarasandha of his lands and reputation? Is this the way the King’s servant should behave? With such insolent words? You-------------

Reference to the context:- These lines are taken from the play ”The Envoy” written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa. These words are uttered by Duryodhana who chides his servant for speaking noble words about Krishna who has come in his court as a messenger.

Explanation:- Duryodhana rebukes Badarayana who is his servant. In an authoritative tone, Duryodhana reprimands his servant for his way of speaking. The passage reveals that the Duryodhana’s servant must have used ‘Best of men’ or’’ the best men for Krishna. Adjectives such as” the best of men” infuriate Duryodhana. The degree of Duryodhana’s anguish for Krishna becomes auto-reflexive in the following rhetorical questions that the scoldingly poses to Chamberlain: 1. Is that servant of Kansa your best of men? 2. Is that herder of cows your best of men?

 

2.      Worthily spoken. A son of Gandhari, indeed they are all well. And they have also required about your welfare and that of your kingdom. Yudhisthira and his brothers also want to inform you that they have suffered many sorrows. The time has now come. So let the inheritative be divided, and the due share given to them.

Reference to the Context:- These lines have been taken from the play” The Envoy” written by Bhasa. The Pandavas and Kauravas are ready to fight for the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna visits Kuru camp with a peace proposal. But Duryodhana has made up his mind for the war.

Explanation:- In these lines, Duryodhana asks about the welfare of pandavas. Krishna tells him that they are alright and praises him for asking well-being of the pandavas. He tells Duryodhana that they, too , have asked about the welfare of the kauravas and their kingdom. He also informed him that they also want to convey the message that they have suffered a lot. So they want the inheritance to be divided.

 

3.      This is a picture worth seeing there is Dukshasana, holding Draupadi by the hair. Here is Draupadi , seized by Duhshasana and wide-eyed with terror, she looks like a digit of the moon in eclipse. And here is that wrethched Bhima, sizing up the pillars of the hall as he angrily watches Draupadi being humiliated before all the princes. Here is Yudhisthira quietening Bhima with sidelong looks. Here is the righteous and truthful one, stupefied by the game of dice. And here now is Arjuna, eyes filled with rage, lips trembling. He has such contempt for his enemies. He slowly draws the string of his bow, as if he would destroy them all, but Yudhisthira stops him. And here are Nakula, Sahadev, faces flushed, swords in hand, ready to fight. Recklessly they attack my brother, like two calves against a tiger.

Reference to the Context:- These lines are taken from the play entitled : The Envoy written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa. These words are uttered by Duryodhana who is commenting on the pathetic picture of Draupadi as a part of his strategy to tease Krishna.

Explanation:- Before Krishna’s entry into the council chamber, Duryodhana commands chamberlain to bring the “paining which shows Draupadi being dragged by hair”. Taking an aside Duryodhana speaks that he will look at the painting at the time when Krishna enters and will not get up for keshava. Duryodhana commands chamberlain to unfold the painting before him. Mockingly he comments on the painting and compares helpless and hopeless Draupadi with “ a digit of the moon in eclipse”. He also ridicules the pandavas. He calls Bhima a” wretched” and compares Nakula and Sahadev with “ claves” in comparison to his brother whom Duryodhana calls “ lion”.

 

4.      Moreover, if anyone gets upto receive Keshava, he will be fined twelve gold coins by me. So, don’t forget that gentlemen. Now, what should be the reason for my not getting up? Ah, that it Badarayana! Bring me that painting which shows Draupadi being dragged by her hair and her garments. I will look as it and not get up for Keshava,

 

Reference to the Context:- These lines are taken from the play entitled: The Envoy written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa. These words are uttered by Duryodhana who warns the present gathering not to stand up in honour of Krishna.

Explanation:- Duryodhana plans to arrest Krishna instead of welcoming him in his court. Duryodhana says to the princes that the idea of receiving Keshava with honour does not appeal to him. He plans to arrest Krishna because his arrest will result in deprivation of direction and advice for Pandavas. This way Duryodhana gloats the idea of being the owner of ‘ the whole earth’! He warns the present gathering not to stand honour of Keshava. He also declares that the violation of the warning will result in the penalty of twelve gold coins. Before Krishna’s entry into the council chamber Duryodhana commands the chamberlain to bring the “painting “which shows Draupadi being dragged by the hair. Taking an aside Duryodhana speaks that he will look at the painting at the time when Krishna enters and will not get up for Keshava.

 

5.      When did you say? The Pandavas will seize it? Let the wind- god in the shape of Bhima attacks us in battle. Let the king of gods himself strike us in the person of Arjuna. Not a blade of grass will I give of this kingdom, held and protected by my forefathers, not for all your harsh words, ambassador.

Reference to the context:- These lines are taken from the play entitled.” The Envoy” is written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa. These words are uttered by Duryodhana who fundamentally denies the very proposal to divide the inheritance.

Explanation:- Duryodhana in a deficient manner asks Krishna whether the Pandus will grab his kingdom. Giving an open challenge to Krishna, Duryodhana asks Krishna that let the ‘The Wind god’ Bhima attack Kurus in battle. Duryodhana is not fearful of Arjuna too. He says that let the king of gods himself attack Kurus. Duryodhana bluntly states that he will not give even a “ Blade of grass” out of his kingdom.

 

6.      Since, you know History, Sir let me also ask you. Vichitravirya was addicted to pleasures and died of wasting sickness. Your father Dhritarashtra was born to Ambika from Vyas. Then how did he succeed to the kingdom? No, no sir. By this way of mutual confrontation, the Kuru clan may soon become just a name. It is better to give up anger and accept that Yudhisthira and the others have lovingly requested.

Reference to the context:- These lines are taken from the play entitled. The Envoy written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa . These words are spoken by Krishna. Here he uses the shared family history of both the kurus and Pandus as the basis of his argument.

Explanation:-  Pandu had no progeny. Keeping this family history in his mind, Duryodhana asks.” How can a patrimony go to the sons of others?” Making history itself as the base of his argument Krishna tells Duryodhana that his father Dhristarastra was born to Ambika Vyasa. Therefore, Krishna posits a counter-question:” Then how did he succeed to the kingdom? “ Krishna warns Duryodhana that the growing conflict will result in destruction of the Kuru clan. Therefore, Krishna advises Duryodhana to give up anger and to agree to what Pandus are lovingly requesting.

 

7.      How can Krishna leave? He has transgressed the proper conduct of envoys? Dushasana! Durmashana! Durmukha! Durbuddhe! Dushteshara! Arrest him! What? You cannot? Dushasana? You are not able! This Krishna has no strength or power. He is at fault by his own mouth in front of princes. He should be arrested immediately. But you cannot! Uncle, arrest Krishna! What? He turns his face and falls! Very well, I will arrest him myself.

Reference to the context:- These lines are taken from the play entitled: The Envoy written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa. These words are spoken by Duryodhana who gives his command to arrest Krishna.

Explanation: - In a taunting tone, Duryadhana utters that how Krishna can leave his court. He accuses of Krishna of disobeying the proper demeanor of a messenger. Duryodhana calls Duhshahsana ,Durmeshana, Durmukh, Durbuddhi and Dushteshvara to arrest Krishna. Motivating Dushasana, Duryodhana tells him that it is easy to arrest Krishna as Krishna has no power. Justifying his arrest, Duryodhana tells the gathering that Krishna has committed the mistake of going beyond the limits of a messenger in front of princes. Therefore, Duryodhana feels that Krishna should be immediately arrested. Surprisingly he tells that uncle you cannot arrest Krishna. Thus he makes a loud claim that he will himself arrest Krishna.

 

8.      You are not worthy of being spoken with. I bear the royal white umbrella. My head is anointed with water from the hands of high priests. You are no better than a follower of my vassal kings. I do not speak with the likes of you. I tell them.

Reference to the context:- These lines are taken from the play entitled: The Envoy written by a prominent classical Sanskrit literary figure Bhasa. These words are spoken by Duryodhana who stops his dialogue with Krishna.

Explanation- Duryodhana clinches the very possibility of dialogue by calling Krishna unworthy of being spoken to. He boasts of his royalty by mentioning that he bears the kingly white umbrella. Taking pride in himself, he tells that his head has been rubbed with water by the hands of priests of high rank. Duryodhana finds Krishna worse than his dependent kings. Making a statement full of arrogance, Duryodhana declares that he does not talk to the people of Krishna’s category.