Part 12 - Society in the Tripuradāha

From the history, it is known that Vatsarāja was the court poet and the minister under various Candel kings, who were ruling in Mahoba (Kāliñjara), in the twelfth to thirteenth century A.D. His plays are indicative of the fact that in that period, the kings were struggling with disturbances from foreign intruders and other kings. He has written most of the dramas, under the Candel king Paramardideva. The Tripuradāha was staged by the order of Paramardideva.

Sisirkumar Mitra (1958, The Early Rulers of Khajuraho) states that:

“The Candel rulers were very systematic and organized. The king was pivot of the administrative structure. They had realized the importance of the seven characteristics of the administration stated by Kauṭilya (Arthaśāstra, 8.1.5–svāmi, amātya, janapada, durga, koṣa, bala and mitra).”

The king was an administrator in its true sense. He was the head of the army.

The army was acquainted with the firearms in the war:

upasaṃharāmyeṣa āgneyāstram
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.104.

In addition to these, the arms like sword, axe, bow, arrows were also used (Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.78).

All castes, i.e. Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas and Śūdras were living peacefully in the society. They were doing their duties according to their castes and sub-castes. In addition to Hindus, the people of other religions like Jains, Buddhists and Muslims were living. The agriculture was the main source of the livelihood. Even Candels were wealthy trading community like Jains. For the trade and exchange, they were using coins made of gold and copper.

The people were using chariot and animals as transport:

rathārūḍhamāyāntam tripurāntakam
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.116.

Candels were the devotees of Śiva. Śiva was their prominent god:

surasamūho’pīdānīm śivam sevamāno bhaviṣyati
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.78.

In addition, they were also worshiping Bhāgīrathī or Gaṅgā. They were especially doing so before going on battle.

tadaham bhagavatīm bhāgīrathīmupāsya khaṇḍaparaśumupavīṇayitumanusarāmi
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.78.

It should be noted here that Bhāgīrathī or Gaṅgā is the only goddess mentioned in the Tripuradāha as being worshipped.

At the time of solar and lunar eclipse, people were offering their prayers to the sun and the moon:

pratīkṣasva sūryacandroparāgādiparva
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.75.

The position of the Brahmins in the society was the highest and they were living their life in accordance with dharma or sacred laws of the Hindus. They were working as the ministers to guide the king. They were also getting appointments as teachers, ministers, poets, priests and judges. They were generally respected, as the society gave much importance to the morality.

However, a section of the society did not openly show it:

ārya viśadāśaya! sarvasandehaviṣopaśamakāraṇam brāhmaṇa iti tvām praṇamāmi
  –Tripuradāha, III, p.97.

Though the community of Candels was cultured, they were blind believers. They believed in fate, which changes friends into enemy and enemies into friends.

The fate does not recognize (distinguish) poor or rich, great or ordinary.

ahaha! vidhiviparītatayā vaibhavamapi viparītaphalam bhavati
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.103.

Chandels were highly superstitious and they believed that the thrubing of the left eye and the sneezing etc. are highly inauspicious:

kimetadācaṣṭe spandamānam me vāmam vilocanam
  –Tripuradāha, C. D. Dalal, p.104.