Srngaramanjari Katha

SR No.: 002914
Original Sutra Author: Bhojdev
Author: Kalpalata K Munshi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Publication Year: 1959
Total Pages: 312
Language: Sanskrit, Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 21 MB

Page 302

NOTES
93
picture gives an impression of the rainy days and that was the very purpose as is said in SS:
इदं नानाकारं कुलभवनमाद्यं रतिपतेनिवासश्चित्राणामनुकरणमेकं जलमुचाम् । पयःपातीष्मे रविकरपरीतापशमनं . न केषामत्यर्थं भवति नयनानन्दजननम् ॥
In the Kadambari we read of a somewhat similar description of a cool fountain-house called himagȚha. Besides various mechanical contrivances we read of groups of peacocks, cranęs, birds, bees etc. (pp. 436-441).
The Yaśastilaka-Campū (Book III pp. 522-533) also has description of a Yantradhārāgrha where sukasărikās, bees, peacocks, ele. phants, crocodiles, monkeys and dolls and so on are mentioned.
In the Tilakamañjarī we have no description of the mechanical contrivances as given in the above mentioned texts but the author seems to be quite familiar with the Yantradhárāgrha for we find a few references to it.
The SMK describes only the dhārāgrha, but SS mentions three kinds of fountain-houses. (vs. 117)
धारागृहमेकं स्यात् प्रवर्षणाख्यं ततो द्वितीयं च।
प्राणाले जलमग्नं नन्द्यावर्त तथान्यदपि ।। The Yantradhārāgrha was an elaborate construction and therefore only kings could afford to build it.
प्राकृतजनार्थमेतन्न विधेयं योग्यमेतदवनिभजाम। In the very beginning of SMK we read that Bhoja was seated on the central moonstone seat of the dhārāgrha surrounded by his friends and kinsmen. And it seems that the people had access to it, for the text says (FTI) JETENTT&Treef wife atemporal 1*
Ubhaya-catuḥ-şaștikalā (57971:164) p. 88.
-Two kinds of 64 Arts. Vätsyāyana in his KS refers to both these kinds of 64 arts. The first group is of the 64 Anga-vidyās. (1.3.16). Mastery over these Kalās was necessary for the courtesans to develop their personality and to fulfil their duties as entertainers. Of these Kalās some are purely aesthetic arts, some for the intelect, some for increasing personal charms, while some are merely for
* It is interesting to note that a paper on 'Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India' was recently read by Dr. V. Raghvan. It thoroughly treats of the subject. It is a useful and interesting contribution throwing light on this interesting topic. I am thankful to Dr. Raghvan for sending me a copy of the paper.