Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

SR No.: 022643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 672
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

Page 400

SOCIAL CONDITIONS
371
(10. 7). Kalidasa refers to women taking bath in a river publicly1 and women going to their fields and singing in chorus. But the other contemporary literature refers to the putting on of veil and confinement to harem too. The Jaina Kalpasūtra refers to the curtain put between Trisala and the interpreter of dreams (4. 69. or 68%). Pāņinī refers to royal ladies as 'asuryampasya' (3. 2. 39) i.e. throwing veil on their faces. The VR (2. 33. 8) refers to Sita's seclusion who was not seen by the people because of her confinemnet to harem. The Pratimänātaka refers to the putting on of veil by Sita (I. v. 28f). It also permits unveiling of face on emergency (I. V. 29). The Raghuvamsa refers to 'avarodha' (1. 32; 4. 68) and 'antaḥpura' (16.59) i. e. restricted harems and the Sakuntalam refers to the putting on of veil (5. 13). These both sided references point out that women were not completely secluded but limited restrictions were imposed on them. Shri B. S. Upadhyaya in this connecion observes that the society at the time of Kalidasa led a free and outdoor life but purdah was not entirely discarded", while it was also true that women were not shut up in Zenana as now. Whatever may be the evidences of other literature but as far as the PCV is concerned there is no mention of putting on of any veil by the women either of ordinary or royal classes.
SECTION 5. GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS.
Sport is denoted by 'kīlā' (krīdā 16. 32) 'kīlaņaya' (4. 107), 'kedda' (khela 8. 37) and 'lila' (103. 43). Tho act of sporting is indicated by 'kilanti' (15. 13). 'lilayanta' (8. 29) and 'ramai' (26, 103; 6. 100; 15. 95). Sports of the young ones are called 'kumāra-lila' (Kumāraliaṁ aņuhavamāņo (103. 43) and they are said to be hundreds. (kilanayasayesu 3. 107) in number.
A. Outdoor-Games.
Ball-play:-The games which have been clearly mentioned are as follows:-Añjanāsundarī is refferd to be playing with a ball (tendueņa 15. 13) and this must have been a very common game for the boys and girls as we know from other sources.
Water sports:-Another popular game for the girls was the watersport (udayakhedda 8. 87) which is mentioned to be played by many
1. Purva Meghaduta, 33.
2. Raghu, 4. 20.
3.
See Naya, I. p 8.
4. Vide IP.
5. IK, p. 180.
6. Ibid, p, 190,