LYRICAL NATURE OF DHAMMAPADA
Dr. Sanjay Mohad, Asst. Professor & Head, Department of Music , SBES College of Arts & Commerce, Coordinator, Department of Music, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,Aurangabad (M.S.) 431001. Email: [email protected], Mob. No. 9850697664
Introduction:
Buddha, an awakened and enlighten teacher who taught about the end of all types of sufferings through the elimination of ignorance by craving a way of understanding. He placed the pillars of four Noble truths, with ultimate goal of attainment of the sublime state of Nirvana.
The text containing the teaching of Buddha exists in great variety. But the centre of all his doctrine rests in “All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts”1. The most important text of the Buddhist literature is ‘Dhammapada’ A collection of lyrical verses. This research paper is an exploration to study the lyrical nature of verses in Dhammapada.
Dhammapada:
Dhammapada constitutes the most important part of our philosophy and culture. It is our ancient national heritage to be cherished for its Universal Significance. Etymologically, ‘Dhammapada’ is derived from ‘Dhamma’, means a good behavior and ‘pada’ means a lyrical poem, or a moral path of life.
Dhammapada is an important part of ‘Khaddak Nikaya’ of Tripitika. It is a rare and unique collection of Gathas (Shloka) delivered in the Sermon by Buddha
1 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, 1997, The Buddha and his Dhamma, Buddhabhoomi Publication, Nagpur, P.no. 366 before 2500 years.
Tripitaka2
Sutta Pitak Vinaya Pitak Abhidhamma Pitak
Diggha Nikay Sanyukta Nikaya Khuddak Nikaya
Majjim Nikaya Anguttar Nikaya
Thergatha
Petvatthu Patisambhidamagga
Udaan Vimanvatthu Niddes Buddhavansa
Khuddak Path Suttanipat Jatak Chariyapatik
Etivuttak Therigatha Nipat Apadaan
Dhammapada
1to 26 Vagga 1.Yamaka Vaggo, 2.Appamada Vaggo, 3.Chitta Vaggo, 4. Puppha Vaggo, 5.Bala Vaggo, 6. Pandit Vaggo, 7.Arhanta Vaggo, 8.Sahassa Vaggo, 9.Papa Vaggo, 10.Danda Vaggo, 11.Jara Vaggo, 12.Atta Vaggo, 13.Loka Vaggo,
2 Tararam, 2006, Dhammapada Gatha & Katha, Samyak Prakashan , New Delhi, P.No. 36 14.Buddha Vaggo, 15.Sukha Vaggo, 16.Piya Vaggo, 17.Kodha Vaggo, 18.Mala Vaggo, 19.Dhammattha Vaggo, 20.Magga Vaggo, 21.Pakinnaka Vaggo, 22.Niraya Vaggo, 23.Naga Vaggo, 24.Tanha Vaggo, 25.Bhikkhu Vaggo, 26.Brahmana Vaggo.
Structure of Gathas:
The Gathas of Dhammapada are structured in a poetic manner.
Manopubbangama Dhamma, Manosettha Manomaya, Manasacha Padutthena BhasatiwaKarotiwa Tatona DukkhaManveti Chakkam Wa Wahato pada II The words in these Gathas are arranged in a systematic meter. They are written in verse or sublime in expression. Because of the pleasing quality structure the chanting of the Gathas becomes very easy and soothing.
Lyricity in the Gathas:
The verses of the Dhammapada are lyrical in nature. They are, “meant to be sung, fit to be expressed in songs.”3 The propagation of Buddhist Doctrine is to banish the misery and unhappiness from the world. It is for ‘Attaya, Hitaya, Sukhaya, Lokanukampaya.’ The lyrical form helps to the common people to digest the nucleus of the verse easily.
Na hi verena verani Samantidha Kudachana Averenacha sammanti
3 Dorling Kindersley, 1998, Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University press, New York, P.No.487 Yes Dhammo sanantano II4 Significance of the topic:
The Lyrical nature of the verses results in Musical presentation. It becomes Musical, sonorous and the meaning of the Gathas becomes easy to digest for the common people. Music is a subject of having a great scope and significance. Each and every person is somewhat related to Music. It is very difficult to find a person who is not related to Music. Including human being, all animals and plants too are tuned with the melody of Music. Percy A. scholes said, “That is precisely where Music stand supreme and as it is the duty of each of us to do the most what we can do best, Music’s main duty is the evocation of our sense of the beautiful through the expression of emotion”5 This beautiful sense provides a great joy and happiness and at the same time it helps us in understanding the right nature and meaning of the Gatha which leads in purification of our mind and body.
Conclusions:
1) The verses of the Dhammapada are lyrical in nature
2) Musical and sonorous nature makes the meaning of the Gathas easy to digest for the common people.
3) Gathas of Dhammapada are structured in a poetic manner.
4) The lyrical and rhythmic verse leads in purification of our mind and body.
5) Lyrical nature is an intrinsic quality of Dhammapada.
4 Bhikkhu U. Chandramani, Arkan Niwasi (Translator), 2005 (Second edition), Anand Sahitya Sadan, Aligarh, P.No. 22 5 Percy a. Scholes, 1943, Third edition, The listener’s history of Music, Oxford University Press, Grait Portain, P.No. 28