Cultural Study of Nisitha Curni

SR No.: 001743
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Madhu Sen
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 432
Language: English, Prakrit
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & Literature
File Size: 23 MB

Page 58

38
A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
Sometimes the kings did not hesitate even in kidnapping the married women or the nuns. Example of the nun-sister of Ajja Kalaga, who was taken to the harem by king Gaddabhilla,1 can be cited in this context.
&
(ii) Harem Officers-The harem of the king, being the primary source of royal pomp and prestige, was carefully guarded. Entry to and exit from the harem was strictly restricted.2 Royal harem was guarded by the following five officers: (i) damḍārakkhiya was the guard who took a man or woman into the harem with the permission of the king, and carried a staff in his hands; (ii) dovăriya stood at the entrance of the harem;* (iii) varisadhara was the guard whose testicles were removed by a surgical operation (vaḍḍhiya) or made ineffective by rubbing medicines (cippiya) at the time of his birth; (iv) kañcuki was the chamberlain who had free access to the king as well as to the inmates of the harem; (v) mahattaraga was the officer who took the inmates of the harem to the king or told him about their menstruation bath, pacified the anger of the inmates and reported to the king the cause of their anger. A strict watch was thus kept over the movements of women of the harem. Tho author believes that the women of the palace should be properly guarded and heavily punished for any breach of chastity. However, in spite of these strict precautions there did exist cases of illicit relationships between the inmates of the harem and State-officials. Several stories in the NC. testify to the existence of the same."
8
1. NC. 3, p. 59.
2. aug gч-NC. 2, p. 232; see also-Hursacarita, p. 111. 3. NC. 2, p. 452; see also-Abhidhānarājendrakosa under damḍārakkhiya. 4. NC. 2, p. 452,
5. Ibid.; also Brh. Bha. 4. 5167.
6. NC. 2, p. 452; see also-Paumacariya, 938, 297. According to Vacaspati Kañcukin was old in age, Brahmana by caste, virtuous and clever in every thing (Abhidhānarājendrakośa under kañcuki ).
7. NC. 2, p. 452. Vātsyāyana in his Kāmasūtra (4. 2. 56) refers to mahattarikā as taking message to the king with various presents from the queens. Chakladar, Studies in Kamasutra, p. 109.
8. NC. 3, p. 521. 9. NC. 3, p. 520.