Part 3 - Food and drink (found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita)

There are four basic requirements of the human beings e.g. food, drink, dress and shelter. However, needs are endless, that is why, with the changing of life style, as well as due to the effect of modernization, the concept of the basic needs has also become much broader. Maṅkhaka has inserted information regarding the food and drinking habit of the people of his time.

The principal products of that time of Kashmir were saffron grapes^[1] and oranges.^[2] Wine drinking was popular both, among men and women.^[3] Though drinking of wine was in vogue, however, it was condemned by the good;especially the Brāhmins were barred to drink wine.^[4] The effects of drinking such as stumbling and incoherent speaking^[5], eyes and cheeks reddened^[6] etc. are referred to in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita. Among other drinks, milk, cow’s milk^[7] was, usually given first preference. Sugarcane-juice^[8] was enjoyed by the people, just as the people do today. Again, people prepared a kind of drink by blending sugar and black pepper with plain water.^[9] It was known as pānaka^[10] and has been relished during summer season. It is popular still today among the Gujrāṭīs, they call it pano. Water was the mostly sought for common drink, as it is, in the present time also.^[11]