Essay name: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
Author: A. D. Pusalker
This book studies Bhasa, the author of thirteen plays ascribed found in the Trivandrum Sanskrit Series. These works largely adhere to the rules of traditional Indian theatrics known as Natya-Shastra.
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the northern portion. To the east of the palace were traders
and artisans as well as the kitchen, elephant-stables,
treasury, and manufactories. To the south were the
offices of the different Superintendents and traders in
cooked rice, liquor and flesh, and prostitutes, musicians and
the Vai艣yas. To the west were the armoury and arsenal,
stables of asses and camels, chariots, and artisans in wool,
cloth and leather, and the S眉dras. To the north were the
tutelary deity, iron-smiths, jewellers and the Br膩hma峁嘺s,
as well as shops and hospitals. The centre of the city was
reserved for apartments of Gods where temples of various
Gods were built. There was a ditch around the city and
beyond hundred cubits were constructed places of worship
and pilgrimage, groves and buildings. The cremation
grounds were either to the north or to the east; those for
the people of the highest caste were placed to the south.
Further off were the quarters of the heretics, C
etc. Every group of ten houses was to have one well.
There were also underground drains to carry off rain
Public rest-houses or sarais were maintained for
the benefit of travellers."
water.
Now we shall refer to our plays for particulars about
urban life.
In the fifth act of the Balacarita, we get a short
description of Mathura, the capital of Kamsa. After
entry, one came across city guards mounted on elephants
and then there were the quarters of washermen. Then
after a short distance along the main road, which used to
be decorated by flags, banners and floral garlands and
scented by aguru and sandal smoke on festive occasions,
were to be seen garland makers, florists, perfumers, etc.
Armoury was the next important place and then the Court.
In the interior of the city was a stadium where wrestling
competitions and prize fights were staged. The royalty
witnessed the scene from
the royal balcony built high up
on one side of the arena.
The splendour and affluence of Lanka is evinced by
what we read about it in the second act of the Abhiseka.
The description of the palace with its mansions, turrets of
gold and parks, adorned with coral trees reads like a fairy
tale, as also the subsequent description of the Pramada-
1 Arthas膩stra, II. 3, 4, pp. 51-57.
