Mahāvīracharita

play by Bhavabhuti

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June 30, 2026

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The Mahaviracharita is a Sanskrit play by the 7th to 8th-century Indian dramatist and poet Bhavabhuti. The play dramatizes the early life of Rama, the hero of the epic *Ramayana*.12

The Mahaviracharita traces Rama's journey from his martial training under the sage Vishvamitra to his battle with the demon king Ravana and his eventual coronation as king of Ayodhya. While the surviving play has seven acts, only the first five are generally attributed to Bhavabhuti, with the later acts added by others. Bhavabhuti's adaptation of the epic involves restructuring events to achieve unity of place and action.1

Bhavabhuti is known for his suspenseful dramas with vivid characterization, and he is considered one of the most significant classical Sanskrit playwrights after Kalidasa. He is particularly associated with the karuna rasa, or pathos, in his works.1

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South Asian arts
The theatre
The Mahāvīracarita (“The Exploits of the Great Hero”) treats of Rāma’s battle with Rāvaṇa and the Uttararāmacarita (“The Later Deeds of Rāma”) treats of the life of Rāma after he has abandoned Sītā. Bhavabhūti lacks the elegance and grace of Kālidāsa but is more pensive—even brooding—than…
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The Mahāvīracarita (“The Exploits of the Great Hero”) treats of Rāma’s battle with Rāvaṇa and the Uttararāmacarita (“The Later Deeds of Rāma”) treats of the life of Rāma after he has abandoned Sītā. Bhavabhūti lacks the elegance and grace of Kālidāsa but is more pensive—even brooding—than…
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Bhavabhuti
Literary career
…the author of three plays: Mahaviracharita (“Exploits of the Great Hero”), Malatimadhava (“Malati and Madhava”), and Uttararamacharita (“The Later Deeds of Rama”).
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…the author of three plays: Mahaviracharita (“Exploits of the Great Hero”), Malatimadhava (“Malati and Madhava”), and Uttararamacharita (“The Later Deeds of Rama”).
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