Svapnavasavadattam Of Bhāsa

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Svapnavasavadattam (The Dream of Vasavadatta) is a six-act Sanskrit play by ancient Indian playwright Bhāsa. It is the best among the thirteen plays written by Bhāsa. Dating back to 2nd BCE, the play tells the story of the love of Kaushambi ruler Udayana for his queen Vasavadatta. Udayana was the most famous ruler of Vatsa kingdom in the 6th century BC.

Kaushambi was a thriving centre of Buddhism in ancient times and was one of the six greatest cities during Buddha’s time besides serving as the capital of the Vatsa kingdom.

Udayana was also the hero of other Sanskrit dramas- Priyadarshika, and Ratnavali written by seventh century AD Indian emperor Harsha.

Among other wives of Udayana was Samavati, daughter of Ghosita, the leading Shreshti (banker) of Kaushambi. In Kaushambi Ghosita had built the Ghositarama monastery which was donated to the Bhikshu Sangha.

Bhāsa has been spoken highly of by Kalidas who has mentioned him in the prologue of his first play, Malavikagnimitra.

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