Hero...Nayaka in Poetics

Hero...origin ...Nayaka as per our Poetics..

There are three meanings given to the word ' Hero" in Oxford Dictionary. They are

1] A man admired for his courage or outstanding achievements.means also who exhibits great bravery.

2] A person of superhuman qualities.

3] The chief Male Character in a book or in a play.

Tracing the origin

Meaning "man who exhibits great bravery" in any course of action is from 1660s in English

. Sense of "chief male character in a play, story, etc." first recorded 1690s.

Hero-worship is from 1713 in reference to ancient cults and mysteries; of living men by 1830s.

In Homer, of the Greeks before Troy, then a comprehensive term used of warriors generally, also of all free men in the Heroic Age.

In classical mythology from at least the time of Hesiod (8c. B.C.E.) "man born from a god and a mortal," especially one who had done service to mankind; with the exception of Heracles limited to local deities and patrons of cities.

Any definition or description needs illustration..with good example so that it helps in getting the right perception. So I would like to explain by taking Arjuna as an example..who else suits the word?

Arjuna lives up to this basic definition of a hero. He has outstanding achievements,he posessed super human valour and arguably he is the Mahanayak Of Mahabharat.He was one born to a god and mortal.Indra and Kunti. But there are many in Mahabharat who were born like that. So what distinguishes Arjuna from others?

That will be discussed later after studying the depiction of Hero in different cultures.

The word Hero is derived from Ancient Greek word Heros.

Heros is either a demiGod endowed with super human abilities since birth or the one who can rise above human beings and achieve super human feats.

In his poetics,Aristotle refers to Hero as a 'Man' thereby emphasizing the humanity factor of the hero. Aristotle speaks not of nobility of rank but of ethical nobility.

Arjuna satisfies the above criteria to be called a Hero and sits comfortably at the topmost position

He satisfies the point stressed by Aristotle by being a man of ethics endowed with nobility.

He is a follower of Ethics and moral values and exhibited his humanitarian side more often in the Epic. Rarely do we find such tenderness of heart in a warrior who spent most of his life fighting battles.Bhagawad Gita stands as a testimony to prove how human Arjuna was despite being a warrior par excellence.

Hero in Sanskrit poetics

In Indian Poetics a Nayaka ( Hero) is described thus -

Mahasatvotigambhiro Kshamavanavikatthanah.

Sthiro Nigudhahamkaro Dhirodatto Drudhavratah'

i.e., - A Dhirodatta Hero possesses great might,forgiving nature,devoid of arrogance ,Stable and strict follower of vows.

Needless to say Arjuna fulfills all these requirements.

He was mighty,forgiving,humble,stable and follows his vows strictly.

Nayaka in general

Natyasastra elaborated Nayaka in general and in particular also.

The general description of Nayaka is

'Neta,Vineeto,Madhurastyagi Dakshah Priyamvadah'

i.e., A Hero should be a leader and be pious, Sweet ,Capable ,Sacrificing ,Soft spoken etc.

'The superior male character is a man with full control over his sense organs. He is wise and skilled in various arts and crafts. He never utters lies. He is prone to enjoy pleasures. He is willing to help people and console poor people. He is conversant with all sastras, grave, liberal, patient and munificent' (Natya Sastra, 39. 22-28).

Now let us see how Arjuna fits the slot alotted for Nayaka.

Arjuna's self control is finely depicted in the epic..be it in usage of astras or in case of women,his control over himself is exemplary.

He is intelligent,skilled in music and dance.

He enjoys pleasures of life

He is well versed in sastras,helpful,liberal and patient

His patience and tolerance in dyut Sabha is phenomenal.

This definition is in sink with what Aristotle described in his Poetics.

Aristotle says that the hero must be "a man of eminence" and "someone of high-fame and flourishing prosperity." He must be someone like a king, a prince, or a leader of a group etc.

Arjuna was eminent,highly famous through his achievements and always associated with prosperity. He was Dhananjaya winner of wealth and prosperity.

Arjuna was a leader who leads from the front,He was pious,Sweet,capable to take up any task, sacrificing,soft spoken..

Viewed in the light of the definition given by ourAlankarikas in Sanskrit poetics Arjuna was a hero in general and a Dhirodatta Hero in particular.

Finally a Hero in any school of thought should be a role model and an ideal to be imitated by others . Ved Vyasa's Arjuna stands tall among his contemporary Epic Heroes and inspires generations after generations with his Focus, Commitment, Intelligence and Dedication. His Enviable Success Rate is a target that should be reached by any aspiring man striving to flourish in any field of knowledge.

Point to be noted...the example I gave suits my taste. But every one is free to put their hero in the slot if at all their Hero fulfills requirement...

Poetics by Aristotle translated by S. H Butcher

Natyasastra Of Bharatamuni