नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

-XXXIV. 58 ] TYPES OF CHARACTERS 533

the [bell indicating] the Yāma¹ and are prohibited intercourse by the playwrights, are to be known as maids in constant move (sañcārikā).

Errand girls

53-54. Women who are employed by kings in secret commissions connected with his love-affairs and are often to be sent [in some such work] are to be known as errand girls (preṣaṇacārikā)¹.

Mahattarīs

54-55. Women who for the immunity of the entire harem [from evils] and for [the king's] prosperity takes pleasure in [singing] hymns [to gods] and in performing auspicious ceremony, are known as Mahattarīs (matrons).

Pratīhārīs

55-56. Women who lay before the king any business related to various affairs [of the state] such as treaty (sandhi), war (vigraha) and the like, are called Pratīhārīs (usher).

Maidens

56-57. Girls who have no [experience of] love's union (ratisaṃyoga) and are quiet, devoid of rashness, modest and bashful are said to be maidens (kumārī).

Old dames

57-58. Women who know the manners of the departed kings and have been honoured by them¹ and who know of the character of all [members of the harem]² are said to be old dames (vṛddhā).

Āyuktikās

58-60. Women who are in charge of the stores, the weapons, the fruits, roots and grains, who examine the [cooked] food for [the king] and are in charge of (lit. thinkers of) the scent, ornaments

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¹ yāma=a period of three hours.
53-54 (C.52bc; K.XXIV.42).
¹ Read the passage as follows: प्रेष्यैः कामसंयुक्ता गुह्यसमुत्थितैः । हृद्येष्वेव प्रेषणीया ज्ञेयाः प्रेषणचारिकाः. 54-55 (C.53; K.XXIV.43).
55-56 (K.XXIV.44). 56-57 (K.XXIV.45).
57-58 (C. 54; K.XXIV. 46). ¹ pūrvarājñāvai pūjitāḥ, C sārvarājasu pūjitāḥ, K.). ² sarvānucaritajñā°, C. (pūrvarājopacārajñā, K.).
58-60 (C.55-57a; K.XXIV.36-37).