Vina-Vasavadatta

Vina-Vasavadatta (IAST: Vīṇā-Vāsavadattā) is an Indian Sanskrit-language play attributed to Shudraka (c. 3rd century). The first eight acts of the play survive; its last portion is now lost.

The title of the play refers to its heroine Vasavadatta and the musical instrument vina. In the play, Vasavadatta's father, king Pradyota of Avanti, searches for a suitable husband for his daughter. Based on interpretation of a dream, Pradyota and his ministers determine that king Udayana of Vatsa is a suitable match, but is too proud to willingly accept a proposal to marry to the princess. To break his pride, Pradyota arranges for Udayana to be captured and imprisoned in Ujjayini, the capital of Avanti. There, Udayana falls in love with Vasavadatta, and meets her on the pretext of giving her vina lessons. With the help of his aides, Udayana plans to escape with the princess. The rest of the plot, which is not available in the extant acts, probably described Udayana's escape and subsequent events.