ITS ALLEGORICAL MEANING.

These things are an allegory.  Although his name is nowhere uttered on the stage or mentioned in the printed play every one in the theatre knows that Kichaka is really intended to be Lord Curzon, that Draupadi is India, and that Yudhistira is the Moderate and Bhima the Extremist Party.  Every now and again unmistakable clues are provided.  The question, indeed, admits of no doubt, for since the play first appeared in 1907 the whole Deccan has been blazoning forth the identity of the characters.  Once they have been recognized, the inner meaning of the play becomes clear.  A weak Government at home, represented by King Virata, has given the Viceroy a free hand.  He has made use of it to insult and humiliate India.  Of her two champions, the Moderates advocate gentle—­that is, constitutional—­measures.  The Extremists, out of deference to the older party, agree, although satisfied of the ineffectiveness of this course.  Waiting until this has been demonstrated, they adopt violent methods, and everything becomes easy.  The oppressor is disposed of without difficulty.  His followers—­namely, the Anglo-Indians—­are, as it is prophesied in the play and as narrated in the Mahabharata, massacred with equal ease.  And the Extremists boast that, having freed their country, they will be able to defend it against all invaders, thus averting the calamities which, according to Lord Morley, would overtake India on the disappearance of the British.

It may be said that all this is mere fooling.  But no Englishman who has seen the play acted would agree.  All his life he will remember the tense, scowling faces of the men as they watch Kichaka’s outrageous acts, the glistening eyes of the Brahmin ladies as they listen to Draupadi’s entreaties, their scorn of Yudhistira’s tameness, their admiration of Bhima’s passionate protests, and the deep hum of satisfaction which approves the slaughter of the tyrant.

NOTE 4

SHIVAJI’S EXHORTATIONS.

In the Kesari just a week before the Poona murders, the following verses were put into the mouth of Shivaji: 

“I delivered my country by establishing ‘Swaraj’ and saving religion.  I betook myself to the Paradise of Indra to shake off the great exhaustion that came upon me from my labours.  Why, O my beloved ones, have you awakened me?  I planted in the soil of Maharashtra virtues that may be likened to the Kalpavriksha (one of the five trees of Indra’s Paradise that yields whatsoever may be desired); sublime policy based on strong foundations, valour in the battlefield like that of Karma, patriotism, genuine unselfishness, and unity, the best of all. ...  Alas, alas! all I see now is the ruin of my country.  Those forts of mine to build which I poured out money, to acquire which torrents of fiery blood streamed forth, from which I sallied forth to victory roaring like a lion—­all those are crumbling