Critically Appreciate the character of Kapila

 Introduction:-

          Kapila is one of the two youth of the city of Dharampura. He is the only son of the iron-smith Lohila. He is dark and plain to look at. In physical skills and strength, there is no equal to him.

He is excellent in driving, daring, dancing, and strength. He is the man of muscles, with a powerful body and simple too. He is not much intelligent. Like Padmini his is also leaned toward Dionysian ego but he is innocent like a child. We can call him a rustic young man.

1. Kapila- a boson friend to Devadatta:-

          Just in the beginning of the play, Bhagavata describes the friendship of Kapila and Devadatta. He is a true and genuine friend of Devadatta. Their friendship is a matter of discussion in the town. The people wonder at their friendship. These two friends wander in the street of Dharampura hand in hand. Looking the people remembers Lava and Krusha, Rama and Lakshamana, Krishna and Balrama. Bhagavata sings for them,

§         “Two friends there were – one mind, one heart.”

          They belong to different social cast. Devadatta is intelligent and belongs to higher class. While Kapila belongs to lower class. When Devadatta sits on chair, Kapila on the floor. But thee differences never affect their friendship.

2. Kapila as Devadatta’s messenger:-

          Kapila, being Devadatta’s bosom friend know everything about him. When he sees Devadatta absorbed in thought, he directly asks who the girl is this time.  When he finds Devadatta is ready to sacrifice his two arms to Kali and his head to Lord Rudra if he get Padmini, he offer his help to his dear friend,

§         “….. Your cloud, messenger your bee, your pigeon

is sitting right in front you…..

I’ll go, find out her house, her name…

But Devadatta feels that he is wrong man to send. He may ruin everything. But Kapila proves him wrong. He finds out Padmini and wins her hands for Devadatta.

3. His attraction for Padmini:-

          From the very first meeting, Kapila is attracted towards Padmini. Seeing her sharpness, he says,

“But this is fast as lighting and as sharp. She is not for the likes of you.

What she needs is a man of steel.”

He knows that Devadatta is not an appropriate husband for Padmini. He always liked her company. He is very much enthusiastic about their trip to Ujjain, but he learns that the trip is postponed, he is utterly frustrated. Seeing him sad Padmini declares that they are going for the trip. On the way to Ujjain Padmini sees and appreciates Fortunate Lady’s Flower and Kapila goes to take them. His cart driving skill is very much appreciated by Padmini.

5. Kapila’s loss, Consequent Aggressiveness and Frustration:-

          Devadatta cut down his head in Kali’s temple to fulfill his promise. After sometimes, Kapila goes in search him in temple of Kali and finds him dead over there. Unable to bear this and thinking about future he kills himself by cutting his head.

          Then Padmini follows them and finds them dead. She tries to kill herself. Just at that time Kali appears and asks Padmini to join their head to their bodies. Padmini obeys but messes up the head. Devadatta and Kapila are live again.

          After then we see Kapila in very aggressive mood. Kapila claims Padmini,

§         “I mean, You are Devadatta’s wife.

I have Devadatta’s body now. So you have to be my wife.”

He going to explain everything showing his right. But finally the solution cones. Padmini has to go with Devadatta’s head and Kapila’s body. So Kapila is highly depressed. He goes to into the forest and disappears. He never sees Dharampura.

5. Kapila resumes muscular body again:-

          After departing from Padmini, Kapila passes his life in the jungle with the fragile body of Devadatta. In the beginning, he was unable to lift an axe without pain in his elbows. He couldn’t run a length without pain in his knees. There was a war between his mind and body but finally his head wins. He again gets his bodily strength and muscles. Now he is able to run ten miles without stopping through the monsoon untired. He is able to swim through the monsoons floods. His stomach can digest anything. He is rough and violent Kapila now.

6. Kapila’s Agony:-

          Kapila has adjusted himself with great difficulty without Padmini. But now Padmini suddenly appears before him. His advices Padmini to go back to Devadatta. He says that he has no place there, no peace, no solution. He has buried all those faceless memories in his skin. He denies Padmini to dig them up again. His tragedy is that he has reshaped Devadatta’s body but he is unable to beat away the memories in it. His body has the memory of Padmini.

7. Tragic End:-

          Devadatta follows Padmini and comes to jungle. He is angry at first but turns steel and calm. Kapila informs Devadatta that his body gave him new feelings, new words and he stared writing poems. Then Devadatta asks him if he loves Padmini. Kapila says ‘yes’ to him and suggests,

“Devadatta, couldn’t we all three live together- like the Pandvas and Draupadi.”

          But Devadatta told him that it is not possible. Finally Devadatta gives him the solution: “What can’t end must be cut.” Thus it is very much tragic. Both of them decide to die. Both fight with each other and died.

¬   Conclusion:-

          Thus Kapila is the person who suffers a lot. He is never able to achieve whatever he wants. He is never able to achieve get completeness or perfection. All three lives but a Kapila loses a lot.