Fundamental of Ancient Indian Music and Dance

Author(s): Sureshchandra Benarji
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 74

65
Dance
SABHĀPATI The President of the assembly should be as follows :
Of an amorous disposition, generous, honourable, discriminating between dancers, rich, appreciative of even slight merit, interesied in entertainments, eloquent, free from jealousy, clever in jokes, intelligent, dignified, skilled in arts, well-versed in Sastras, desirous of fame, pleasanttongued, capable of understanding others' minds, judicious, possessed of good memory, versed in the three branches of Samgita, charitably disposed, possessed of all instruments, the knowledge of the distinction between Mārga and Desi, capable of distinguishing deficiencies and excesses, learned, bold, impartial, having command over attendants, capable of aesthetic appreciation, full of Rasa, truthful, highborn, having a gracious face, steady in affection, grateful, kind, virtuous, afraid of sins, friendly to scholars.
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS IN ASSEMBLY The President should occupy the lion-seat. To his left will be members of the harem and to his right the chieftains. Behind the chieftains should be the treasurer. Near them will sit scholars versed in worldly and Vedic lore, with them should be poets of aesthetic taste, clever in various styles. In the centre of scholars will remain honoured physicians and astrologers. On the right is the Council of Ministers along with Chiefs of the army. Men and women of aesthetic taste should sit around the members of the harem and in front of the king Behind the king will stand beautiful young girls carrying chowries and making a jingling sound of the bangles. On the left of the king, in front, will sit composers of songs, story-tellers, bards, scholars and flatterers. Around them will the attendants of the king. There should be some clever men holding canes. The bodyguards of the king should stand on all sides with weapons in hands.
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