Yes to Vedānta, no to Bhakti? Some philosophical and religious novelties of Jasvant Siṃh I’s Brajbhāṣā Prabodha Nāṭaka

This paper focuses on the Prabodha Nāṭaka composed by king Jasvant Siṃh of Mārvāḍ (1626–78). He was a significant political figure in seventeenth century North India, who composed several Brajbhāṣā texts on Vedantic themes. I show that the Prabodha Nāṭaka distinguishes itself from his model, Kr̥ṣṇamiśra's Sanskrit Prabodhacandrodaya (eleventh century), arguing that the modification of two characters in the intrigue allows us to identify the distinctive discourses Jasvant carried out through his retelling. First, the introduction of Dhīraja (Firmness) seems to correspond to a particular Kṣatriya discourse, through which the ruler advanced a Rajput-inflected interpretation of the Vedāntic drama. Secondly, I analyse the substitution of the anthropomorphised Bhakti with Āstikatā (Affirmerness) or orthodoxy. I then reflect on the view of orthodox traditions represented in the drama. I conclude by exploring why Bhakti has been excluded, considering the political, religious, philosophical and literary trajectories of Siṃh's compositions.