नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

30 THE NATYASASTRA [ II. 82-

well as the sound of musical instruments³ will be distinctly heard⁴.

82-85. The construction of walls being finished, they should be plastered and carefully white-washed. After they have been smeared [with plaster and lime], made perfectly clean and beautifully plain, painting should be executed on them. In this painting should be depicted creepers, men, women, and their amorous exploits¹. Thus the architect should construct a play-house of the oblong (vikṛṣṭa) type.

Description of a square playhouse

86-92. Now I shall speak of the characteristics of that of the square (caturasra)¹ type. A plot of land, thirtytwo cubits in length and breadth, is to be measured out in an auspicious moment, and on it the playhouse should be erected by experts in dramatic art. Rules, definitions and propitiatory ceremonies mentioned before [in case of a playhouse of the oblong type] will also apply in case of that of the square type. It should be made perfectly square and divided into requisite parts² by holding the string [of measurement], and its outer walls should be made with strong bricks very thickly set together. And inside the stage and in proper directions [the architect] should raise ten

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³ kutapa—This word is explained by Ag. differently in different parts of his comm. Once (I. p. 73) he says कुतपमिति चतुर्विधातोद्यभाण्डानि and next time too (I. p. 186) he says चतुर्विधमातोद्यं कुतपं, but in another place (I. p. 65) he say कुतपः संफेट-गायनवादक समूहः and this latter view seems to have been repeated in I. p. 214. The first view seems to give the correct interpretation.

⁴ After B.87 B. repeats 19 (B22) unnecessarily.

82-85 (B.89b-92, G.86-89a). ¹ ātmabhogajam literally means 'due to self-indulgence or enjoyment of the self'. Compare with this description the decorative paintings in the Ajanta caves.

86-92 (B.93-99a, G. 89b-95). ¹ caturasra gives rise to NIA. cauras or coras.

² The exact nature of this division is not clear from the passage. The view expressed by Ag. (I. p. 66) on this point does not seem to be convincing.