Thye Mudrarakshasa, unlike the majority of Sanskrit plays, is purely a political drama. It has for its theme, besides elevation of Chandragupta to the throne of Magadha, wining over of Rakashsa, the hostile minister of the Nanda dynasty to the side of Chandragupta and adoption of measures to strengthen the rule by Chanakya, the renowned politician of his times. In the words of H.H.Wilson; It is a historical or political drama, and represents a curious state of public morals, in which fraud and assassination are the simple means by which inconvenient obligations are open enemies removed. It is not, however, that such acts are not held in themselves as crimes, or that their perpetrators if instigated by vulgar vice or ferocity, are not condemned as culprits; it is only when the commission of the crime proposes a political end that it is represented as venial, and is compatible with an amiable. it includes the commentary of Dhundiaja, English translation, critical and explanatory notes, Introduction and various readings.

Mudraraksasa Is A Historical Play Of The Nataka Type In Seven Acts Written By Vishakadatta In 6Th Century A.D., In Which Chanakya, The Minister Of King Chandragupta Of Pataliputra, Wins Over Rakshasa, The Minister Of The Nandas To The Side Of Chandragupta. It Is An Unique Play In Many Respects. The Play Is Based On A Political Theme And It Bears Testimony To The Consummate Skill Of Visakhadatta As A Dramatist. It Does Not Present Any Of The Recognized Dramatic Sentiments (Rasa), But Introduces A New, Hitherto Unrecognized Sentiment Of Intense Rivalry Between Two Sharp-Witted Ministers Dedicated To The Service Of Their Respective Kings.

The aristocrat who wrote this vigorous political play eschewed sentimentality in favor of realistic characterization and forceful action. It is 316 BCE, one year after Chandra·gupta Maurya, aided by his subtle minister Chánakya, has seized the kingdom of Mágadha from the last king of the Nanda dynasty. Rákshasa, Nanda’s incorruptible minister, flees abroad and plots his vengeance, while Chánakya seeks to win him over to honor Chandra·gupta Maurya as his new king. The aristocrat who wrote this vigorous political play eschewed sentimentality in favor of realistic characterization and forceful action. It is 316 BCE, one year after Chandra·gupta Maurya, aided by his subtle minister Chanákya, has seized the kingdom of Mágadha from the last king of the Nanda dynasty. Rákshasa, Nanda's incorruptible minister, flees abroad and plots his vengeance, while Chanákya seeks to win him over to honor Chandra·gupta Maurya as his new king. Co-published by New York University Press and the JJC Foundation For more on this title and other titles in the Clay Sanskrit series, please visit http://www.claysanskritlibrary.org

Contents: Introduction, The Empires of Ancient India, The Vakatakas, Post- Mauryan India, Political Order and Ideas, Social and Political Thought and Institutions, Kulyavapa, Dronavapa and Adhavapa, South India, The Age of Imperial Kanauj, The Mudrarakshasa the Web of Diplomacy, Valmiki, Vyasa and Kalidasa, R.C. Dutt s Translation of the Epics, Classical Literature, Conclusion.