Part 5 - Recreations and pastimes (found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita)

In Maṅkhaka’s time, the popular means of recreation were as follows—

Among the educated, there were prevalent, the literary pastimes such as samasyāpūrti or completing a poem when only a line or one half of it is given.^[1] In Kashmir of that time, along with the study of Sanskrit, people were conversant in other languages also, such as Prākṛt. There is a reference of one Loṣṭadeva, who knew as many as six languages.^[2] Literary treatises were examined in the assembly of scholars.^[3] Talent and erudition of a poet used to be tested by oral extempore compositions.^[4] Performance of literary debate by scholars was also in practice.^[5] The country was a seat of learning.^[6] Holiday was observed on the eighth day of a fortnight.^[7] The game of dice was popular^[8], people enjoyed drama^[9], magic shows^[10], dance.^[11] Boys were fond of throwing dust on each other^[12], girls usually played with a ball.^[13] The youths enjoyed sportive day-to-day life by indulging in various amorous activities like swinging^[14] sports, sports in water^[15], flower collection^[16] etc.