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BHATTIKlVYA
master in the art of suiting the sound to the sense and even Magha seems to emulate him in this respect. Bbattikavya end the Ramayana : Omissions and alterations Bhatti’s account of the biography of Rama, though based generally on the Vnlmlki-Ramayana, differs from it firstly in its length. The number of chapters and verses varies in the different versions of the Ramay&na which claims to have five hundred cantos with twenty-four thousand verses. Bhatti’s account is divided twenty-two cantos containing 1650 verses, in all. Bhatti has done away with all the introductory portions, the whole of the Uttarakanda, all didactic diversions, geographi cal and biographical anecdotes and unduly long descriptions. Besides trimming all the said cumbrous details, he has made a few alterations too. His narrative begins directly with a description of King DaSaratha followed by that of Ayodhya in just four verses ; thus he has reversed the order of descriptions. DaSaratha’s mention as a 5§aiva is the poet’s innovation, introduced probably because he himself was a &aiva. All the details about the sacrifice for sons are dropped and the queens partake of the remnants of the oblation instead of the ‘pUyasa.' given by the ‘Yajnapuru$a’. Santa is not introduced in this context ; nor does Vasistha interfere on behalf of Visvamitra for sending the princes with him. The beautiful description of autumn during the princes’ journey is the poet’s innovation. The vidyas given by Visvamitra are called Jayn and Vijaya, not. Bald and Atlbala. Rama receives missiles from Visvamitra before, and not after, killing Tadaka. The marriage of the three brothers of Rama are not mentioned at all. Defeated ParaSurSma’s retirement to Mahendra mountain is also dropped. No consul tations are held before the announcement of Rama’s coronation. Manthara is not brought in at any juncture. Laksmana’s and Slta’s solicitations for being taken to the forest are dropped ; they straitghway accompany Rama. Guha is not mentioned, nor are the lamentations of Sumantra narrated. Rama himself gives his wooden sandals to Bharata, without being asked for them. fWabbanga and Agastya are not introduced and the beautiful pen pictures of the seasons are dropped. Snrpapakha
