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SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
365
“Alas; The torments earned by the unvirtuous deeds performed in previous births are very difficult of being alleviated by the inspired beings who have devised means to that effect even most judiciously.”
Malayasundarī bearing the strangulation-noose, Bandhusundarī cried out for help. Samaraketu appeared on the scene. Malayasundari's reaction to that is the belief that he has been sent by the power of fructification of the virtuous deeds performed in the previous birth in so far as she got the privilege of getting into his lap, a privilege that could come to her only as a result of the virtuous deeds.
Customs and Taboos
Customs denote a wider significance. These cover within their fold the general way of behaviour on the part of the constituent elements of society, manners and etiquette's, celebrations of religious festivals, Food and Drinks, pastimes and sports. Taboos concein the field of prohibition and the social evils.
Dhanapāla has employed the expressions 'Upcāra' and 'Acāra” which mean 'custom or manner of speech4 and custom, practice, usage, an established rule of conduct,' respectively. The context in view is of the base born women of Ayodhyā who took 'manner of speech' as a mark of social custom. In every society individuals are supposed to take to a set pattern of speech which becomes a model for all those who abide within a demarcated boundary of territorial jurisdiction. The base born women or the harlots of Ayodhyā must have had a special way of addressing their paramours, their go-between, their customers, their tribal chaperons and all those who came into contact with them. That is why Dhanapāla has defined the terms 'Upcārā' and 'Ācāra' distinctly within the fold of a common expression. The manner of speech was taken as a type of mannerism by those women. This is what can be understood ultimately. The coquettes have a set way of talking which becomes a usual way of mannerism in society.
The house wives or the brides of the same town have been described as following a way of conduct which is perfectly righteous and idealistic. They were such as would attend to their household chores every moment. They
1. BET Hikvifadeq[
4 ferifra: aquafq-..... yeayyare: 1 TM. III. p. 169. 11.8-9. 2. चिन्तयन्ती च तदचिन्तितप्राप्तमनेकजन्मोपार्जितैः सुकृतकर्मभिरपि दुरापमाकल्पावधिकृतैस्तपोभिरपि दुःसाध्यं
gy H HICH Ibid. Sm. ed. p. 312. 3. 349R4aRqG144-14: TM Vol. I p. 50. 4. Monier William (Sanskrit English Dictionary) under Ācāra. 5. Ibid. pe..137
