Mudra-Rakshasa is a Sanskrit drama of Visakhadatta. This is said to be a drama, which has an historical interest, for Chandragupta, the Sandracottus of Greek writers, is a leading character in it. The date of its production is apparently the eleventh or twelfth century A.D.
The purpose of the play is to reunite Rakshasa, the hostile minister of Nanda, the late king of Palibothra, to the individuals by whom, or on whose behalf, his sovereign was murdered, that is the Brahman Chanakya, and the prince Chandragupta.
By means of this analysis Rakshasa is provided by the device of Chanakya, an object of suspicion to the prince with whom he took refuge, and is consequently dismissed by him. In this abandoned condition he discovers the forthcoming danger of a dear friend whom Chanakya is about to put to death. With the aim to save his friend he surrenders himself before the enemies. On the contrary the enemies offer him with the rank and power of prime minister, and the parties are finally friends.
The author of the play is called in the prelude Visakhadatta. He was not a poet of the sphere of Bhavabhuti or Kalidasa but he has a vigorous perception of character and a manly strain of sentiment. He is the Messenger of the Hindus.
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