The
Curse of Urvasi
(A Play in One Act)
BY G. DHARMA RAO, M.A.
(A bower in Nandana, the Garden of Swarga. A strange light pervades
all–a light like that of Virtue. The trees in the garden glisten in a soft
mellow light of their own. Round the bower are spread artfully laid out plants
bearing flowers of every season, and a mild breeze flutters through the leaves
wafting around their honeyed fragrance. At a distance stands the majestic Kalpaka
Tree like the Queen of the Nandana, with its luscious fruit-laden branches
waving in the breeze and throwing chequered patterns of light and shade on the
emerald grass. The deep murmur of the Ganges is heard from near-by.
Seated on a shady couch in the bower, Chitrasena, King of the
Gandharvas–and master of the arts of music and dance–is conversing with Haha,
another Gandharva.)
Chitrasena: I don’t think
so. It is true the son of Pandu looked with a steadfast gaze at Urvasi when she
danced with the other Apsarasas at Indra’s Court, but not with eyes of lust.
Haha: You have been his
friend, O Gandharva King, for some years, but I wonder whether you have
understood him well. After all, he is a man, and, as you know, men are
intensely prone to passion.
C: Yes, he is a man;
but a man among men. I have known him intimately for some years as my pupil. He
has seen many Apsarasas dance, but not once did he show any carnal desire, nay,
not even a desire make their acquaintance!
H: Do you mean he has
conquered sex?
C: Yes; in a way some
gods have not. Do you know,–he told lndra when he met him in Indraloka: “I
desire not regions of bliss, nor objects of enjoyment, nor the state of
celestials. I desire to learn from thee the use of all the military weapons with
which I may take vengeance on the foe.”
That is Arjuna!
H: May be true. For
aught know, he may take with him back to his own world all the weapons granted
by Indra, Yama, Varuna and Kubera, and also a beautiful Apsarasa into the
bargain.
H: Why? Because he is
Indra’s son! But tell me, is he superior to Viswamitra? Viswamitra who, in
spite of his penances, fell a prey to the wiles of Menaka?
C: Surely, have you not
seen how his matted locks shine like lightning? An unusual radiance surrounds
his face. This is not common to men who become slaves to their lust.
H: I don’t understand
you. Is it possible for one who has married many wives–Draupadi, Subhadra,
Ulupi, and Chitra, can such a one conquer his weakness for woman?
C: For that very
reason, just because he has had the companionship of such noble women, he has
known what love is! By his subsequent penance, he has controlled it by the
power of his will. To my mind, he is more perfect than Viswamitra, for he has
harmonised the discords of sex by subordinating them to his will–the one will
of his days–the will to conquer the Kauravas.
H: Yes, my king–for he
rarely mixes with the Apsarasas though he watches them dance and sing. By the
bye, if you would pardon me for my curiosity, how does he fare as your pupil in
the Gandharva arts?
C: Splendidly. He seems
to care more for instrumental than vocal music, for the instruments we have
here exist not in the world of men. He was greatly interested in the dance of
Tumburu’s band of Apsarasas at Indra’s court held in honour of his arrival at
Amaravati, and since then, at the suggestion of his father, he has been taking
lessons from me almost daily. But he often tells me that he has no peace of
mind and that it torments him to think of his exiled brothers leading an
obscure life in the Kamyaka forest. The unfair play with dice of Sakuni, and
Dushasana’s insult to Draupadi are rankling in his soul. Probably the errand on
which I now go to him will gladden his heart.
H: What’s that?
C: Indra observed Arjuna
gazing at Urvasi on that day and he now thinks that perhaps he is yearning
after her. Yesterday he called me to him and smilingly bade me tell her that
she should wait upon that hero among men. I don’t know his purpose, but I must
obey.
H: Let me give you a
tip. Varudhini told me the other day that from the time Urvasi saw Arjuna in
the court hall, she is enamoured of him. Since the way is thus clear, you can
work upon her mind by extolling to her the virtues of Arjuna.
C: Ah, Urvasi also
pining! Then our task is easy. Thank you for this good news, Haha! (Exeunt)
(A room in Urvasi’s pleasure-house overlooking the Mandakini.
Well-furnished, with walls of crystal, and the floor inlaid with precious
stones of various colours harmonising with one another, the room has in one
corner an alcove containing musical instruments. From the wall hangs a picture
of the ancient King Pururavas, dominating the whole.
On a divan Urvasi is seated with Varudhini. Sorrow and anxiety are on
Urvasi’s face; and from Varudhini’s sitting close to her and looking around
furtively, and from their occasional whispers, it is evident they are
exchanging confidences.)
Varudhini: This
heart-ache is quite unworthy of one of our tribe, sister. We should be more
cautious and never give ourselves away. Men are our toys, and we should play
with them. Coquetry is our weapon.
Urvasi: True, but I
wonder why I am yielding to passion. That body-less god Cupid was ever my
accomplice, but in the case of Arjuna, he has turned traitor.
V: You are the foremost
of Apsarasas, and this pining after a human being on your part must lower your
reputation.
U: This is not the
first time I loved a man; I was once the Queen of Pururavas. See, see him
yonder. Is it not a picture as great as the man? I painted it myself. It is
hanging there proudly, not because I care for him now, but because it reminds
me of my triumph over a man. Pururavas, a mere man–but a man who had the
courage to fly up to heaven to take back to earth the sacred fire for
sacrificial altars! A mighty man! But I made him love-mad!
From the time I set eyes on Arjuna in Indra’s
court, a strange unrest has taken possession of me. He shared Indra’s throne,
and, as he sat by his father’s side, he looked like the moon himself. His
matted locks shone with unusual effulgence. A sacred fire gleamed in his lotus-red
eyes. I have tried many a time to entice him in the hall of Chitrasena, where
he watches us dance and sing. But I always found him too absorbed in the dances
and songs to pay any heed to my amorous looks. His form flits before me and
keeps me awake every night. Oh, my unfulfilled desire makes me ashamed of
myself! Can you not tell me of some art or wile whereby I can trap him into my
net?
V: It is a pity we
women want to be loved instead of being content merely with loving. Your wish
may come to naught. Walking along the banks of the Bhagirathi one evening, I
met the attendant of this Arjuna casually questioned him, “How fares your
Lord?” He said, “From time he obtained the mighty war weapons from Indra, he is
panting for home. He is sleeping less, eating less and abjuring all company.”
What does that mean, Urvasi? He is tired of the joys of heaven!
U: Then, there is no
time to lose. He may quit at any moment, Varudhini. A thought strikes me. Why
not I run to Chitrasena and seek his advice? He has become a bosom friend of
Arjuna. They say there is no secret of the latter that the former does not
know.
V: Look, Urvasi, he
comes. Yes, Chitrasena. Tell him all and take his advice, if it suits you! (Exit)
(Enter Chitrasena)
U: You are thrice
welcome, King. I was just now planning to go to your mansion.
C: Well met, then! May
our meeting end as propitiously! May I know why you wanted to meet me?
U: It is a matter which
touches me most intimately.
C: What is that?
U: (Blushing) A man
stole my heart without his knowing it. And I can’t get his love. My pride as
the captivator of men is laid low. My charms have lost their power.
C: (Smiling) Who is he
that hath so afflicted the foremost of our celestial beauties?
U: (Stutters)
Phal-gu-na!
C: Don’t grieve, O lady
of faultless features. I come to you from the King of Heaven to help you out of
this distress of thine!
U: Am I so fortunate?
C: Yes, Indra has heard
with joy that Arjuna cast long lingering looks on you, when you danced in his
presence.
U: Indra knows! O,
King, your news is balm to my oppressed heart. I am so happy already.
C: And I too am glad
that your choice has fallen on one who is acclaimed the greatest among all
mankind. He is handsome, virtuous, ready-witted, withal a man of great might.
He is admired in heaven and on earth alike. Entirely free from malice, and of a
forgiving temper, he is kind to those devoted to him. The Lord of Heaven being
highly pleased with him, has granted him many kinds of war implements to
protect him against his foes.
U: Your recitation of
my lover’s virtues only fans the flame of my passion for him.
C: (To himself) My work
is half-done, in that the flame is already there. (Aloud) But, O lady, there is
a snag.
U: Ah, what?
C: His body is here,
but all his thoughts are with his brothers. Having secured the weapons he
wanted from Indra, he is eager to go back to earth! Moreover, through his
penances and austerities he has acquired such power of self-control that even
the angels regard him as a Rishi. Though he gladly learnt all the secrets of
the fine arts from me, he has scrupulously kept aloof from damsels like you.
You know this yourself.
U: Yes, I tried many a
time to attract his attention, but he seems to be heavily armoured against the
blandishments of woman.
C: Indra thinks that
his son should be not only perfect in War and in the Arts but also in Love,–in
the supremely delicate art of acquitting one-self gloriously in the company of
women. You are the only woman that can teach him this!
U: I shall be doubly
happy if I succeed, for, in serving the Lord of Heaven, I serve myself.
C: Then I will leave
you to your plans and devices. Before I leave, may I give you one bit of
advice? If I have studied the son of Kunti aright he cannot be won by wiles and
blandishments. Lay bare your heart before him. Tell him that his virtues have
made you his vassal. Rouse his pity. That is the only way! Success attend on
you! (Exit)
(Arjuna’s mansion. It is a wing of Indra’s palace and stands
over-looking the celestial Ganga. The Pandava hero, whose body is blue like a
mass of blue clouds, sits brooding over the future, in the main hall of the
mansion. Idle and limp hang his long arms scarred by the bowstring. His curly
hair, matted in many places owing to his long fasts and the rigorous penances
he practised for meeting Shiva; is loose and uncombed, but shines with a bright
lustre. His eyes have a dreamy look. Though a prince and a guest of the Lord of
Heaven, he is not clad in costly attire but in the very simple raiment worn by
him when an exile with his brothers in Kamyaka forest. He is homesick; the
sight of the beautiful Apsarasas bathing in the waters of the celestial stream,
clad in gossamer costumes, attracts him not.)
Arjun: (To himself) The
gods are kind to me. With their help, I have obtained arms of various kinds
with which I can give a good account of myself on the day of reckoning. How can
I be sufficiently grateful to Indra for the Asani and the Vajra? And how can I
forget Chitrasena for the arts of music and dance he so kindly taught me? No
father has made his son’s life sweeter than Indra has during these five years.
Five years! Methinks they have glided by like five hours. They say there is
nothing a man lacks while in heaven. But the joys of these delightful realms
are already palling on me. The music of heaven fills me with a strange
discontent. The food of the immortals no longer delights my palate. I dream of
my brothers and of Draupadi–ah! The noblest of women! Would that I could rejoin
them at once and show them all my weapons and my arts!
(Enter Chitrasena)
Welcome, friend. (Arjuna offers him a seat.)
C: I bring you good
news, O son of Kunti!
A: Your very coming is
good news; any news about Kunti, my mother?
C: I come from Indra.
He is greatly pleased with your bearing and your devotion.
A: I rejoice he thinks
well of me. What more?
C: He thinks so well of
you–that he will at last grant you your wish to return to your maudlin earth!
A: Happy tidings,
indeed!
C: Why? Are you so soon
disgusted with this heaven-world?
A: The Earth calls me,
and my brothers and sweet Draupadi! The mighty powers gathered in me, through
the grace of the Lord of the Celestials, are waiting for fulfillment. Destiny
wills that I should play my part in the fight against the powers of evil
unleashed by Duryodhana.
C: May you fulfil your
purpose! I have, however, one thing to tell you as my pupil.
A: I am ready to obey
you.
C: When you go back,
teach your fellow mortals the Gandharva arts, for it is by these men will get a
foretaste of the divine bliss even while they dwell on earth.
A: I shall do your
behest. As my ancestor Pururavas brought the sacrificial fire from heaven to
earth, so it shall be said of me that I bore Sama and Gita to my fellow-men as
a boon from the gods.
C: Your name shall
become a legend as one whose Brahmacharya was blessed by the gods. Armed with
the powers of the spirit, may you avoid temptation and use the divine weapons
to strike down unrighteousness! Success attend you! (Exit)
A: I can never forget
the kindness of this friend.
(Enter an attendant)
Attendant: My Lord!
Urvasi, the foremost of Apsarasas, craves to be admitted into your presence.
A: Ask her to come in.
Attendant: She has
already entered! (Exit)
(Urvasi looks fresh after a bath. Decked and toileted in her best, with
her crisp long plaits twined with bunches of flowers, and with only a thin
veil, she walks glamorously forward with graceful steps. Her heart inflamed
with desire, she seems to spread a sensation of delight all round. A breath of
wind in the cool moonlight bears towards Arjuna the aroma of her perfumed
body.)
A: (Eyeing her from a
distance) Ah, a glorious vision! Can woman be as beautiful as this? My left eye
quivers. An evil omen! May the gods avert the evil! I wonder why she breaks in
on my silence at this strange hour. (Advancing a few steps towards her) O,
foremost of the Apsarasas, I bend my head before you. Please be seated. (Urvasi
sits.) May I know your commands?
U: (With a luminous
smile) O son of Pandu, you are Heaven’s guest. Hearing that you are shortly
going back to the earth, I have come to give you my best wishes and those of
all my kin.
A: Great honour,
indeed!
U: But I have a
grievance against you.
A: (Surprised) Never
even in thought have I injured anybody since my coming here. Tell me how I have
offended! O, best of dancers, tell me,–I am ready to make amends.
U: Do you remember the
day the Lord of Heaven held a reception in honour of your visit?
A: Yes–an unforgettable
day!
U: O, lion among men,
thither came then the Siddhas and Charanas, Yakshas and Nagas, and great
Rishis. At the orders of Mahendra the Gandharvas began to strike the Veenas and
pour forth charming music.
A: I shall ever
remember that day as one of the happiest in my life.
U: Do you remember that
I danced the Dance of Uma? As I danced, keeping time to the melody, I was
struck by a shaft that upset me and disturbed the execution of the finale.
A: (Aside) I know not
what she is driving at! (Aloud) I did not noticed then….
U: It was the shaft of
Love. You had regarded me with a gaze that seemed to pierce me like a flame of
passion. Pardon me, O son of Pritha, for this frankness in a woman. That gaze
has been haunting me night and day ever since, making me listless and robbing
me of all interest in other things. I love you! The more I try to quench that
flame, the more it burns. They say you are kind to those devoted to you. I
implore you!
A: (Distressed, and
closing his ears with both his hands) O, blessed lady, fie on my ears for
hearing what thou hast spoken. Desire has misled thee. I did not look on thee
with eyes of lust. Even as Uma, whom thou impersonated in the dance, or Sachi
the Queen of Indra, or the peerless Kunti–so art thou to me. It is true these eyes
expanded with delight on seeing thy matchless beauty, but all the while I was
thinking, “Even this lady is the mother of the Paurava race, of which I am an
off-spring.” Thou art the mother of my race.
U: Your moral code is
of the earth. It is not binding on us immortals, who have triumphed over age
and death. We are free and unrestricted in our choice. Didst thou not know that
the sons and grandsons of Puru’s race that come hither on account of their
merit sport with us?
A: There is only one
law and that is the law of Dharma; and that applies to gods and men alike. It
says there is only one world, the world of spirits into which we all enter. All
other worlds are false. Entry into this world becomes possible only to those
who have subdued their senses and passions and become aware of themselves as
souls.
U: Then, why do men
perform sacrifices? Is it not to come here after death and enjoy our company?
A: True, but such joys
are short-lived, and after the term of their spell is over, down these men go again.
They are bound by Karma. Ignorant men call death the passing away of the life
from the body and are afraid of it. But death is something far different from
this. When man forgets that he is a spirit, a child of God, and yields to lust,
anger and desire, then he dies though he thinks he is alive. True immortality
is freedom from the shackles of Karma.
U: (Angrily) Then, is
our immortality spurious? Let me show you what a celestial can do. Since thou
hast disregarded a woman who has come to your abode at the commands of Indra
and of her own free will, and trampled upon her freely offered love, I curse
thee. An appropriate curse it shall be! Listen! Thy fate it shall be to become
a eunuch–neither man nor woman, for to me, a woman, you have not behaved like a
man. Neither Man nor Woman!
A: Urvasi! What a
dreadful curse!
U: Listen, again. All
the time I was throwing my glances as a net over you, your eyes and ears were
studying the rhythmic mazes, as though you were a dancing teacher! Therefore,
you shall become a dancing master–despised by women for your lack of manhood’s
hardy virtues, and mocked by men for your lack of womanhood’s sweet graces. How
do these curses sound in your ears? Some more I can think of–.
A: Terrible curses! Oh,
take them back, mother, take them back. Are you not a mother unto me, the
mother of the Paurava race to which I belong? Eunuch!–what shall happen then to
the sword, the bow and the axe I have learnt to wield, to throw against the
Kaurava hosts! Oh, mother, how can a mother’s bosom be so cruel?
U: Mother, mother! Fool
I Have I ever suckled foolish little babes at my bosom! Nay, nay, my curses
shall come to pass. (Her lips quiver in wrath, and, panting, she goes.)
A: (Rising, and plunged
in thought). Is this your fate, Arjuna!
(Arjuna’s mansion, Indra and Arjuna are
conversing.)
Indra: (Touching Arjuna on
the head) Verily, Kunti is blessed, having begotten such as thee. Thou hast
become even greater than a Rishi by thy purity, patience and self-control. The
five and ten weapons thou hast acquired from me, together with the mode of
using them, will make thee invincible in the three worlds. But the preceptor’s
fee has to be paid. (Smiles)
A: Most willingly shall
I do it–command me, my Liege.
I: Kill with these weapons
the thirty million Danavas, the Nivata Kavachas that dwell in the heart of the
Ocean. When thou art in the battlefield, Bhishma, Drona and Karna shall be
eclipsed by thy prowess. But take heed that these extraordinary weapons are not
hurled against common mortals. This is the fee, I ask–promise!
A: I do promise. As
charity should not be shown to the undeserving, these weapons shall not be
wasted on the unworthy.
I: Yes, but to the
evil-doers, no pity!–slay them forthright. But about this thou wilt learn more
from Krishna, the Lord that knows and guides all.
A: Adored father, in
this Swarga where there is no distress, one fear haunts me.
I: Urvasi’s curse?
A: Yes, have you heard?
I: Chitrasena told me
all–for he met her as she burst forth from your room in fury.
A: I dread that
curse–so mysterious! When will it take effect? Or, has she taken back her
curse, with a big maternal heart?
I: No, not she–nor is
it possible to withdraw curses. But it shall turn to thy benefit. It shall
serve thee when it pleases thee!
A: When it pleases me?
Then I never will please to take it upon me! Thus shall I avert it.
I: Why avert it? Has it
not been ordained that after twelve years of forest life, the thirteenth should
be spent by you five in disguise? Why not disguise thyself then as a eunuch by
this curse of Urvasi? Urvasi’s curse shall take effect then. She relented to
this extent. For one year, live as a dancer among court ladies–a place where
thy body’s scars of many battles will not betray thee to the eyes of a curious
world!
A: Gone are my fears! I
am perfectly happy, father.
I: One word! Wear thou
this diadem, (placing it on Arjuna’s head) and take this shell and these gems.
Perhaps Draupadi will be delighted have them, as the like of them cannot be had
on earth. I have asked the great seer Lomasa to inform thy brothers of thy
doings here. Before thou rejoinest them thou shalt have to fight the demons’
race. Matali will fetch the Vimana presently. May thy passage to the earth be
fair! The gods are with thee.
A: I am overjoyed. Thou
hast filled me with a new life. May I be worthy of it! Curious weapons there
are in my armory–gifts of my father. More curious than these, the curse of
Mother Urvasi–the most powerful disguise I could think of.
Curtain.