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CONCLUSION
481
establish the fact that he was a widely travelled man or at least he had learnt a lot from his preceptors and favourites as well as associates. His depiction. of King Meghavahana as an ideal king with all types of technical details on administration and statecraft, warfare, judiciary etc. exhibit his mastery over the treatises on polity such as Arthaśastra of Bṛhaspati and Sukranīti as also of the Athaśāstra of Kautilya which latter has not been referred to by him. His mention of details regarding the social institutions, Samskāras, marriage law, Gandharva, Prajapatya, Daiva modes etc. speak of his knowledge of Manu and Yajnavalkya Smṛtis. The Dharmasthiyam sections of the Arthaśāstras etc. He has detailed the principal festivals along with other classified customs and processions of the days such as Diwali, Holi, Kaumudimahotsava etc. He has also illustrated the Food and Drinks habits of the people of the day including vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets, syrups, spirituous liquors as well, the culinary art and cooking utensils, the Dining Hall, the Dining etiquettes etc. Dance, drama and Music were popular among the people. Large temples and shrines dedicated to the worship of Hindu and Jaina gods were built by the kings. Every possible care was taken to guard against the evil effects of the wicked exploiters, food-poisoning, incendiary activities of the enemy etc. Education was a popular institution. It normally started at the age of six and ended with the age of sixteen. The country ruled over by the Paramāras was economically stronger and prosperous enough to sustain the aggressive foreign policy of the rulers. The soil was fertile with rich and luxuriant fields and gardengrowth. Trade and Commerce were also flourishing. People lived a simple life but happy one. Middle classes enjoyed a comfortable life and no suppression of the poor by the rich was visible. Literacy was wide-spread and almost all the subjects of study including various arts and sciences were taught. The Karaṇas and Prayogas of Dance, the instrumental music with instruments such as flute, lute, tabour were used for playing to the accompaniment of classical as well as light vocal music. People used cosmetics and unguents. They wore normally a pair of clothes but woollen garments were used in winter. Skins and hides were also used to prepare certain articles of trade. Kardaranga or Karmaranga leather used to prepare scabbards has been referred to..
All these go to establish the fact that Dhanapala has given a very clean and clear picture of Literary, Social and Cultural heritages of his age i.c. 11th Century A.D. with the pen of a true master and a skilled artist.
