नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

32 THE NATYASASTRA [ I. 100-

playhouse). The Mattavāraṇī should be made with four pillars by the side¹ of the plinth [mentioned above]. The stage should be either more elevated than this plinth or equal to it in height. In case of a playhouse of the oblong (vikṛṣṭa) type, it should be higher than the stage, whereas in a playhouse of the square type it should have a height equal to that of the stage. These are the rules according to which a square type playhouse is to be built.

Description of a triangular playhouse

101-104. Now I shall speak about the characteristics of the triangular (tryasra) type of playhouse. By the builders, a playhouse with three corners should be built, and the stage (raṅgapīṭha) in it also should be made triangular. In one corner of the playhouse there should be a door, and a second door should be made at the back of the stage (raṅgapīṭha). Rules regarding walls and pillars¹ which hold good in case of a playhouse of the square type, will be applicable in case of the triangular type². These are the rules according to which different types of playhouses are to be constructed by the learned. Next I shall describe to you the [propitiatory] Pūjā in this connexion.

Here ends Chapter II of Bharata's Nāṭyaśāstra which treats of the Characteristics of a Playhouse.

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101-104 (B.108-111, G.104b-108). ¹ It is not clear how the triangular playhouse will have pillars like those of other types.

² No mattavāraṇī has been prescribed in case of the triangular playhouse.