________________
622
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN
was no bar in marrying women belonging to different faiths. The Paumacari yaṁ gives a very emphatic picture of inter-racial marriages and it is corroborated by the inscriptional evidences of the Vākāțaka Gupta Age.
Position of Women:-Women occupied a high position in the society. As a maiden, as a wife and as a mother, woman was respected in each of the phases of her life. Female education was not neglected. Music and dance was a subject of very common learning. Education in sciences and arts was also imparted to them. Generally girls of noble families are referred to in this connection. Kşatriya girls were given training in warfare also. Men were so particular about the character of women that on the slightest suspicion they deserted their wives but there are equally evidences of male excesses over women. The state of widow was not happy. Women are generally found to be expressing their dependence on their husbands and children. It was due to lack of economic freedom to them. Jealousy among cowives and other human weaknesses were the common traits of women. In the social and political field we find them sometimes working as administrators, fighters, physicians and generally as nurses. These were the professions of high status. Then there were maid servants, attendants, messengers, musicians, dancers and entertaining girls. The lowest position was that of harlots and prostitutes. In the religious field women enjoyed equal rank with men in the Jaina society. In the Brahmanical fold commonly we do not find that liberality for them. As regards the freedom of movement the Paumacariyaṁ reveals a good picture. It shows that women were not confined to the Zenana. They openly took part in social activities. In this work there is no evidence of the existence of the purdah system.
Games and Sports :-People took interest in games. Playing with ball was common among the children and so were water-sports among the young women and married couples. Boxing and dice-playing were other sports and games. Princely sports were subduing of and riding the horses and elephants. Welcome celebrations and Madanotsava were enjoyed. Storytelling was an usual pastime. Then there were the public performances such as of acrobats, umbrellaplayers, musicians and dancers.
Manners and Customs: -People addressed their elders as well as persons of the higher status with reverence and the younger ones as well as persons of lower status with regards and sympathy. Modesty and affection was the guiding principle in establishing contacts with different
