नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

424	THE NATYASASTRA	[ XXIII. 90-

Colours for human beings in different regions

90. Human beings who dwell on the Seven Continents (sapta-dvīpa) are to be painted in the colour of burnished gold.

91. But among the inhabitants of Jambudvīpa where men of various colours live, every one except those who dwell in the North Kuru region should be given the colour of gold.

92. People of Bhadrāśva¹ should have the white colour of their body, and so should these of Ketumāla. But those of other Continents should be made reddish yellow (gaura) in colour.

Colours for Bhūtas and dwarfs

93. Bhūtas and the dwarfs are known to be of various colours. They possess odd faces and may have faces of boars, rams, buffaloes and deer as well¹.

Colours of different peoples of Bhārata-varṣa

94. Listen now about the different colours of the people of Bhāratavarṣa. Kings there should be of lotus colour, or dark blue or reddish yellow [in complexion].

95-96. And the happy mortals there are to be made of the reddish yellow (gaura) colour. Those who practice vile acts, are possessed of evil spirits, diseased or engaged in penance and do not perform sacrifices (yajña) and are of inferior birth, should be made brown (a-sita, lit. not fair). And the sages should always be given the colour of plum (vadara). And such should be the colour of sages observing penance (tapas).

97. But out of any necessity and not according to one’s pleasure, colours of persons may be varied according to the habitation, birth and age.

98. An expert in [dramatic] production should paint persons after knowing their, place [of action] and time of action, birth and the region of the earth they dwell in.

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91 (C.95b-96a; K.XXI.80).
92 (C.96b-97a ; K.XXI.81). ¹ Read bhadrāśvaḥ.
93 (C.97b-98a ; K.XXI.82). ¹ K. reads this differently.
94 (C.98b-99a; K.XXI.83). ¹ padmavarṇaḥ for pañcavarṇaḥ.
95-96 (C.99b; K.XXI.84-86a). ¹ C. omits 95b-96.
97 (C.100; K.XXI.86-87a).
98 (C.101; KXXI.87b-88a).