नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

-II. 57 ] DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAYHOUSE 25

46-50. ¹In the beginning, the ceremony in connexion with the Brahmin pillar should be performed with completely white,² articles purified with ghee and mustard seed, and in this ceremony Pāyasa should be distributed [to Brahmins]. In case of the Kṣatriya pillar, the ceremony should be performed with cloth, garland and unguent which should all be of red³ colour, and during the ceremony rice mixed with molasses (guḍa) should be given to the twice-born caste. The Vaiśya pillar should be raised in the north-western direction of the playhouse and [at the ceremony of its raising] completely yellow⁴ articles should be used and Brahmins should be given rice with ghee. And in case of the Śūdra pillar, which is to be raised in the north-eastern direction, articles used in offering should all be of blue⁵ colour, and the twice-born caste should be fed with Kṛsarā.

50-53. First of all, in case of the Brahmin pillar, white garlands and unguent as well as gold from an ear-ornament should be thrown at its foot, while copper, silver and iron are respectively to be thrown at the feet of the Kṣatriya, Vaiśya and Śūdra pillars. Besides this, gold should be thrown at the feet of the rest [of pillars].

53-54. The placing of pillars should be preceded by the display of garlands of [green] leaves [of mango trees around them], and the utterance of 'Let it be well' (svasti) and 'Let this be an auspicious day' (puṇyāha).

54-57. After pleasing the Brahmins with considerable (analpa) gift of jewels, cows and cloths, pillars should be raised

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46-50 (B.52b-56a, G.50-53). ¹ before 46, G. reads on the strength of a single ms. one couplet as follows :—चन्दनं च मनेद् ब्राह्मं चार्तं खादिरमेव च । पलाशं वैश्यवर्णं स्याच् छूद्रं सर्वद्रुमैः कृतम् ॥ This interpolation seems to record the tradition that the pillars should be considered as wooden.

² white—symbol of purity and learning, associated with the Brahmins.

³ red—symbol of energy and strength, associated with the Kṣatriyas.

⁴ yellow—symbol of wealth (gold) associated with the Vaiśyas.

⁵ blue—symbol of non-Aryan origin associated with the Śūdras.

50-53 (B.56b-58a, G.54-56). 53-54 (B.59b-60a, G.57) ·

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