CHAPTER THREE

PUJĀ TO THE GODS OF THE STAGE

Consecration of the playhouse

1-8. In the auspicious playhouse constructed with all the characteristics [mentioned above] cows, and Brahmins muttering [proper Mantras] should be made to dwell for a week. Then the master of the dramatic art who has been initiated [for the purpose] and has put on new cloths, fasted for three days, lived away from his bed-room (lit. the dwelling house), has kept his senses under control and has [thus] become purified, will besprinkle his limbs with water over which purificatory Mantras have been muttered, and consecrate the playhouse. This [consecration] should take place after he has made obeisance to the great god Śiva the lord of all the regions, Brahman who sprung from the lotus, Bṛhaspati the preceptor of the gods, Viṣṇu, Kārtikeya, Sarasvatī, Lakṣmī, Siddhi, Medhā, Smṛti, Mati, Candra (Moon), Sūrya (Sun), Winds, Guardians of all directions, Aśvins, Mitra, Agni, and other gods, such as Rudra, Varṇas¹, Kāla², Kali³, Yama, Niyati, the Sceptre of Yama⁴, Weapons of Viṣṇu⁵, the Lord of the Nāgas (Serpents), the Lord of the birds (Garuḍa), Thunderbolt, Lightning, Seas, Gandharvas, Apsarasas, Sages, Nāṭya-maids⁶, Mahāgrāmaṇī (the great leader of Gaṇas)⁷, Yakṣas, Guhyakas⁸ and the hosts of Bhūtas.

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1-8 (B.1-7, 9. G.1-7, 9). ¹ varṇas—No gods called varṇas are to be met with in any other work. They may be taken as deities ruling specially over the four varṇas of people.

² Kāla—There are several legendary heroes (gods, sages and Asuras) of this name, see Vidyalankar, JK. sub voce.

³ Kali—There are many legendary heroes of this name, see JK. sub voce.

⁴ See note 5 below.

⁵ Weapons of Viṣṇu appear as deities in the Act I of Bhāsa’s Bāla.

⁶ nāṭyakumārī—Such goddesses are possibly mentioned nowhere else.

⁷ mahāgrāmaṇī—The great leader of Gaṇas. It is very difficult to accept Ag’s identification of mahāgrāmaṇī with Gaṇapati (mahāgrāmaṇīr gaṇapatiḥ). For in 58 below, occurs the term mahāgaṇeśvara

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