The Ten Principal Avataras of the Hindus

According to Sanskrit authorities, Drama (Nátya) is of two kinds—the Márga and the Desi. That form of dramatic entertainment which Brahmá first learnt of Mahádeva and his consort Párvati, and which he afterwards performed before them, goes by the name of Márga Nátya; that which is known on earth, and which is generally performed by mortals before kings and others, is designated Bed Nátya. Múrtti is one of the sixteen varieties of the latter. As it is intended that the present treatise should deal with this kind exclusively, it is unnecessary to mention the names of the fifteen other varieties, or to enter into a detailed description of them. This has already been done in another work entitled “The Eight Principal Eases of the Hindus.”