नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

330 THE NATYASASTRA [ XVIII. 37-

37. Sanskrit Recitation is to be assigned to queens, courtezans¹, female artistes to suit special times and situations in which they may speak.

38-39. As matters relating to peace and war, the auspicious and inauspicious movements of planets and stars and cries of birds concern the well-being or distress of the king these are to be known by the queen, and for this reason she is to be assigned Sanskritic Recitation in connexion with these (lit. in that time)¹.

40. For the pleasure of all kinds of people, and in connexion with the practice of arts, the courtezans are to be assigned Sanskritic Recitation which can be easily managed.

41. For learning the practice of arts and for amusing the king the female artiste has been prescribed to use Sanskrit in dramatic works¹.

42. The pure speech of the Apsarasas¹ is that which has been sanctioned by the tradition (i.e. Sanskrit), because of their association with the gods ; the popular usage conforms to this [rule].

43. One may however at one's pleasure assign Prakritic Recitation to Apsarasas [while they move] on the earth. [But to the Apsarasas in the role of] wife of a mortal also [the same] should be assigned when an occasion (lit. reasons and need) will occur¹.

44. In the production of a play their [native] language should not be assigned to tribes such as, Barbaras, Kirātas, Andhras and Dramiḍas¹.

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37 (C.35-36a; B.XVII.39). ¹ An example of this is Vasantasenā speaking Skt. (Mṛcch. IV.).

38-39 (C.36b-38a; B.XVII.40-41). ¹ This rule cannot possibly be illustrated by any extant drama. 40 (C.38b-39a; B.XVII.42).

41 (C.39b-40a; B.XVII.43). ¹ There is possibly no example of this in any extant drama.

42 (C.40b-41a; B.XVII.44). ¹ No play with an Apsaras speaking Skt. is available. All the Apsarasas in Vikram, speak Pkt.

43 (C.41b-42a; B.XVII.45). ¹ Read mānuṣīṇām (ca in B) for mānuṣāṇām. Urvaśī is an example of an Apsaras who became the wife of a mortal. (Vikram).

44 (C.42b-43a; B.XVII.46). ¹ See NŚ. XXIII. 99 notes.