Natyashastra

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/1

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवौ पितामहमहेश्वरौ । नाट्यशास्त्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि ब्रह्मणा यदुदाहृतम् ॥ १॥

sanskrit

With a bow to Pitāmaha (Brahmā) and Maheśvara (Śiva) I shall relate the Canons of Drama, as these were uttered by Brahmā.

english translation

praNamya zirasA devau pitAmahamahezvarau | nATyazAstraM pravakSyAmi brahmaNA yadudAhRtam || 1||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/2

समाप्तजप्यं व्रतिनं स्वसुतैः परिवारितम् । अनध्याये कदाचित्तु भरतं नाट्यकोविदम् ॥ २॥

sanskrit

Once, during an intermission of studies, Bharata, the master of dramatic art, who had completed his muttering of sacred mantras and was surrounded by his sons, was approached.

english translation

samAptajapyaM vratinaM svasutaiH parivAritam | anadhyAye kadAcittu bharataM nATyakovidam || 2||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/3

मुनयः पर्युपास्यैनमात्रेयप्रमुखाः पुरा । पप्रच्छुस्ते महात्मानो नियतेन्द्रियबुद्धयः ॥ ३॥

sanskrit

In ancient times, sages such as Ātreya and others, who were great-souled and possessed restrained senses and intellect, approached him with reverence and asked.

english translation

munayaH paryupAsyainamAtreyapramukhAH purA | papracchuste mahAtmAno niyatendriyabuddhayaH || 3||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/4

योऽयं भगवता सम्यग्ग्रथितो वेदसम्मितः । नाट्यवेदं कथं ब्रह्मन्नुत्पन्नः कस्य वा कृते ॥ ४॥

sanskrit

O revered one, how did this Nāṭyaveda, which has been properly composed by you and is akin to the Vedas, originate? For whom was it created?

english translation

yo'yaM bhagavatA samyaggrathito vedasammitaH | nATyavedaM kathaM brahmannutpannaH kasya vA kRte || 4||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/5

कत्यङ्गः किंप्रमाणश्च प्रयोगश्चास्य कीदृशः । सर्वमेतद्यथातत्त्वं भगवन्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ५॥

sanskrit

How many limbs does it have, what is its measure, and what is its mode of application? O revered one, you should kindly explain all this to us in detail and truthfully.

english translation

katyaGgaH kiMpramANazca prayogazcAsya kIdRzaH | sarvametadyathAtattvaM bhagavanvaktumarhasi || 5||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/1

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवौ पितामहमहेश्वरौ । नाट्यशास्त्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि ब्रह्मणा यदुदाहृतम् ॥ १॥

sanskrit

With a bow to Pitāmaha (Brahmā) and Maheśvara (Śiva) I shall relate the Canons of Drama, as these were uttered by Brahmā.

english translation

praNamya zirasA devau pitAmahamahezvarau | nATyazAstraM pravakSyAmi brahmaNA yadudAhRtam || 1||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/2

समाप्तजप्यं व्रतिनं स्वसुतैः परिवारितम् । अनध्याये कदाचित्तु भरतं नाट्यकोविदम् ॥ २॥

sanskrit

Once, during an intermission of studies, Bharata, the master of dramatic art, who had completed his muttering of sacred mantras and was surrounded by his sons, was approached.

english translation

samAptajapyaM vratinaM svasutaiH parivAritam | anadhyAye kadAcittu bharataM nATyakovidam || 2||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/3

मुनयः पर्युपास्यैनमात्रेयप्रमुखाः पुरा । पप्रच्छुस्ते महात्मानो नियतेन्द्रियबुद्धयः ॥ ३॥

sanskrit

In ancient times, sages such as Ātreya and others, who were great-souled and possessed restrained senses and intellect, approached him with reverence and asked.

english translation

munayaH paryupAsyainamAtreyapramukhAH purA | papracchuste mahAtmAno niyatendriyabuddhayaH || 3||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/4

योऽयं भगवता सम्यग्ग्रथितो वेदसम्मितः । नाट्यवेदं कथं ब्रह्मन्नुत्पन्नः कस्य वा कृते ॥ ४॥

sanskrit

O revered one, how did this Nāṭyaveda, which has been properly composed by you and is akin to the Vedas, originate? For whom was it created?

english translation

yo'yaM bhagavatA samyaggrathito vedasammitaH | nATyavedaM kathaM brahmannutpannaH kasya vA kRte || 4||

hk transliteration

siva.sh/natyashastra/1/5

कत्यङ्गः किंप्रमाणश्च प्रयोगश्चास्य कीदृशः । सर्वमेतद्यथातत्त्वं भगवन्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ५॥

sanskrit

How many limbs does it have, what is its measure, and what is its mode of application? O revered one, you should kindly explain all this to us in detail and truthfully.

english translation

katyaGgaH kiMpramANazca prayogazcAsya kIdRzaH | sarvametadyathAtattvaM bhagavanvaktumarhasi || 5||

hk transliteration