विशाखदत्तस्य रूपकम् मुद्राराक्षसम् - MUDRA-RAAKSHASAM THE PLAY OF VISAAKHADATTHA

                                                      

            Vasakhadatta is the author of the play called ‘maud`araxasama\\’ (Mudrarakshasam). It consists of seven acts. It depicts the attempt of Chanakya for compelling ‘raxasa:’ (Rakshasa) the hereditary minister of Nanda’s to become the minister of ChandraGupta Maurya. In this attempt Chanakya succeeds by a series of devices employing his signet ring ³mauda`´ of Rakshasa himself. Hence the title Mudrarakshsam is given to the play. ‘ivaSaaKd<a:’ must have lived before 573 A.D., the year of death of the great astronomer Varahamihira. ‘ivaSaaKd<a:’ describes in his drama the city Pataliputra as prosperous and a flourishing city. During the visit of Chinese pilgrim Heuen Tsang the city was in ruins while it was in a flourishing condition during the visit of Fa-hien about 400 A.D. All these prove that ‘ivaSaaKd<a:’ must have lived in the 4^th Century A.D., under the Gupta emperors.

‘ivaSaaKd<a:’s Mudrarakshasasam is one of very rare plays with apurely political theme. Subtle plot construction and the well-knit scenes give an individual stamp to the play. The style of the play is simple, full of vigour and force.

For more details about the play and its author read here. 

The contents of the Acts can be read in detail here.