नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

472 THE NATYASASTRA [ XXIV. 240

Acts prohibited on the stage

240. [In representing various activities of women] there should be on the stage no ascending of the bed-stead, no bath, no use of unguents and collyrium, no decoration of the body and no handling of their breasts or hair¹.

241. And women of the superior and the middling types should not be shown as poorly draped (apāvṛtā) or wearing only one piece of garment (ekavastrā) and they should use no colour for their lips¹.

242. Such a rule [of dresses] will suit only the women of the inferior type, because of their low nature. But on certain occasions they too are not to be represented like that¹.

243. Men and women of the courtezan class in a play should take up a flower after they have dressed themselves up (lit. having taken ornaments).

244. If a woman with a decoration [of her body] awaits the arrival of her beloved, she should cleverly finish it so that nothing contrary [to propriety] finds expression¹.

The Heroine in expectancy

245. After finishing the preparation for the Conjugal Union, the Heroine should sit down and expect [every moment] the coming of the beloved (lit. Hero) while listening the sound of of striking the Nāḍikās¹.

246. After hearing the sound of [the expected] Nāḍikā the Heroine overcome [with joy] on [the chance of] the beloved one's

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240 (C.XXXI.134, Cf. K. XXII-225). ¹ This shows the high moral sense of the people of the time.

241 (C.XXXI.135; K.XXII.227). ¹ See above 240 note.

242 (C. XXXI.136; K.XXII.228). ¹ That is, they might appear on the stage as poorly draped or with one piece of garment or might have their lips painted.

243 (C. XXXI.137; Cf. K.XXII.229)

244 (C.XXXI.138; K.XXII.230). ¹ Read the couplet as follows :

नियुक्तमण्डना किञ्चित् प्रतीक्षेत प्रियागमम् । लीलयामण्डितं शेषं कुर्याद्यन्न विरुध्यते.

245 (C.XXXI.139 of K.XXII.231). ¹ Nālikā-K, nāyikā. C.

246 (C.XXXI.140; K.XXIII.231b, 232a). ¹ Nālikā K. nāyikā C. Samna-hṛdayā, C. (trasta-hṛdayā, K).