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SĀNTAVILASA.
Raaa k Like the two Vilāsas which immediately pre-
cede itशङ्गारविलास and करुणविला स, this Vilasa too derives its-
name after one of the Rasas, though it is to be noted that a
is not admitted as an independent Rasa by all schools of Sans-
krit rhetoricians. Like the other two, again, the title of this
vilāsa serves as an index of the sentiment prevailing through-
out most of the verses comprising it,
STIEna is the sentiment of Quietism. When the battles of life
have been waged and their stark horrible nakedness is perceiv-
ed, and when, consequently, the dust and the roar of the Battle.
so inviting and irresistible at other times, lose their appeal,
the mind, becoming tired of worldly pursuits and the urge of
senses, becomes chastened; a tranquil mood supervenes; and one
yearns to rise above the Babel and eseape into that Full Life
which is all tranquillity. Thus the sentiment of Quietism-of
the peace of mind-induces in the end an atmosphere as placid
and untroubled as some forest retreat, untrod by man, where
the morning sun shines over the softly bubbling water of the
stream. In this Vilāsa, the poet depicts a frame of mind to
which worldly pleasures appear to be so many fetters, sense-
organs so many hoops, life beset with its untold worries an
oppression-the whole world a horrible nightmare. To such
an harassed soul the poet points out the way of escape from
misery, Viz., the worsbip of Śri Krspa who being identical
with the highest Divinity is certain to rescue the miserable
and werried refugee from his difficulties. In most of the
stanzas of this vilāsa, therefore, in spite of the varied appro-
aches to the theme, there is but one refrain, and that is the
advice to all to dedicate their lives at the feet of ŚriKrşna. And
Jagannātha, like a devout Vaişnava, waxes passionately devo-
tional in his reverential references to, or descriptions of, that
fascinating divinity-ŚriKrsņa.