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TILAKAMANJARI OF DHANAPALA
whereby they deemed it nothing more than straw and ignored it.' Some looked after the grass out of anxiety for earning money by its sale but were given to bear the loss of grass at the hands of the rod-bearers who were anxious to lop it off accordingly as they desired. The cart-loads of green vegetables or potherbs equally formed a part of their economic resources whereby they earned money by their sale. But they suffered loss at the hands of people who looted them by violating the law of the land whereby it was enjoined that the weaker was not to be tortured or harassed by the stronger. They felt chafed and even derided the authority of the ruler.3 The tiller who tilled the soil to sow the seeds of sugar-cane in the plots felt dismayed on seeing the growth of his cultivation pillaged by the looters who when caught gave him solace. A thakkura or a rich landlord also played a role in the economy and those who could find no service under his lordship were given to wander aimlessly carrying their luggage etc. The rice fields protected by the circle of guards brought them money through the grace of the ruler." Cow dung cakes forming the main equipment for fuel were stored behind the creeper-bowers.' The fruits from the creepers of cucumber, pumpkin and karela were also stored in houses in order to send them for sale.
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The household property of the villagers consisted mainly of the utensils made of bell-metal, worsted yarn and rugs." The Gṛhasthas or the householders were accustomed to wake up immediately at the advent of dawn and take to the regular routines of the day. The Karamakaras or the labourers have been described as leaving their beds quite with pains from the interiors of the wattle huts alarmed by the din and bustle (lit. cries) of the householders.10 The hearths in the courtyards put to action in the early hours with their upper portions covered by a series of caldrons tumultuous,
1. खलधानतः साधनिकलोकेन निखिलमपि नीयमानं बसं बुसाय मत्वा वधीरयद्भिः । TM Vol. II p. 260 2. कैश्चित् गृह्यमाण यवसरक्षण व्यग्रैरर्थलोभादभिलषितलंचानां लंचया लाकुटिकानां केशमनुभवद्भिः | Ibid. 3. निगृहीतलुष्टाकव्रातवार्तया लुण्टितेक्षुवाटदुःखदुर्बलं कृषीवललोमपशोक कुर्वद्भिः । Ibid.
4. कैश्चिदलब्धावकाशठक्कुरहठनिराकृतैराश्रयाय प्रतिगृहं गृहीतभाण्डैराहिण्डद्भि । Ibid.
5. कैश्चिचवप्राप्तपरिपालकव्यूहरक्षितसुजातत्रैहेयैरनेकधा नरेन्द्रमभिनन्दयद्भिः Ibid.
6. पश्चाद्वाटकेषु गोमयपिण्डकूटानि गोपयद्भिः | Ibid.
7. भग्नवृत्तिषु निष्कुटेषु त्रपुसकर्कारुककारवेल्लकादिवल्लीफलान्या दायादाय वेश्मनि प्रवेशयद्भि | Ibid.
8. गृहधनं च कांस्यपात्रिका सूत्रकम्बलप्रायं । Ibid.
9. सत्वरोत्थितगृहस्थनिर्दयाक्रोशकर्शितनिद्रेषु निःसरत्सु तृणकुटीरकोटरादतिकष्टमुक्तसंस्तरेषु कर्मकरेषु । Ibid Vol. II p. 268.
10. पुरोनिविष्ट रन्धनदक्षदासीसंधुक्षितानलासु ज्वलन्तीषु सर्वतः क्वथनवाचालस्थालीपरम्परा परिकरितचूलासु प्राङ्गणचुल्लीषु Ibid Vol. II p. 269.
