Part 6 - Caste system and occupations (found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita)

The varṇāśramavidhi, caste-system etc. are some of the distinguishing features of Indian society. In the caste-system, there are the broad division of four castes. In the poem, there is the mention of the following - varṇa^[1], dvija i.e. Brāhmin^[2] and Kṣatra i.e. Kṣatriya^[3], other subordinate classes like Kāyastha^[4], Pulinda (XI. 2), a barbarous tribe also existed. The abolition of castes was viewed as a disaster.^[5] Among the castes, the Brāhmins were highly respected and offered gifts.^[6] They were well acquainted with the Vedas.^[7] Negligence towards Vedic studies in the particular branch was looked upon as a serious matter and he was considered as a vile person.^[8] The Brāhmins were not expected to drink wine.^[9] However, Brāhmins were accustomed to drink soma-juice.^[10] The Kāyasthas held the job of a scribe or accountant.^[11] The Pulindas used to catch fish with fish-hooks.^[12] The evil of untouchability prevailed in society.^[13]

The following were the occupations prevailing in society-weaving^[14], painting^[15], acting by male^[16] as well as by female^[17], dancing^[18], architecture^[19], cultivation^[20], snakecharming^[21], panegyric^[22], magic^[23], watchman^[24], śarakāra i.e. arrow-maker^[25], bards.^[26] It may be mentioned here that for writing, the following materials were used - maṣī i.e. black ink^[27], lekhanī i.e. a pen^[28], maṣībhāṇḍa i.e. an ink-pot^[29], pattra.^[30] The Kāyasthas worked as scribes that have been mentioned by Maṅkhaka.^[31]

From the poem, besides the above mentioned subjects, so many other miscellaneous information are also gathered, which can be summarized below—

Regarding the use of musical instruments it is known that the following were used- bherī^[32] i.e. a kettle-drum, diṇḍima^[33] i.e., a kind of small drum, dundubhi^[34], a kind of large kettle-drum, muraja^[35], a kind of drum or tabor, pataḥ^[36], a kettle-drum etc.

About the aesthetic sense of the people of Maṅkhaka’s time, it is found that females of high social stratum hold a lotus in their hand.^[37] Mirrors were used.^[38] Scented cosmetics^[39], perfumed powders named paṭavāsa^[40] were used. In case of economy, it is known that the barter system was in vogue.^[41] Lending and borrowing on a fixed interest was in practice.^[42] The system of punishment was there such as thieves were beaten with sticks.^[43] There was the practice of banishment. Not only was this, to prevent a banished person to re-enter the country, water mixed ashes was sprinkled behind him.^[44] Generally, in winter, people used portable fire-places in their houses.^[45] This practice is still present in some places of the country; where there is excessive cold climate prevails.

Moreover, the poet refers that during his time, the connoisseurs played an important role in the society.^[46]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid., IV. 53

[2]:

Ibid., I. 16

[3]:

Ibid., XIV. 61

[4]:

Ibid., VI. 70

[5]:

Ibid., IV. 53

[6]:

Ibid., III. 33, 36

[7]:

gaṅgātaraṅgānilapūraṇotthakapālanādacchalataśca yasya/
vidhuryathārthadvijarājatārthaṃ trayīmivābhyasyati so’vatādvaḥ// Ibid., I. 16

[8]:

Ibid., VIII. 25

[9]:

Ibid., VIII. 25; XII. 71

[10]:

Ibid., XXV. 91

[11]:

Ibid., VI. 70

[12]:

Ibid., XI. 2

[13]:

atyarthavakratvamanarthakaṃ yā śūnyāpi sarvānyaguṇairvyanakti/
aspṛśyatādūṣitayā tayā kiṃ tucchaśvapucchacchaṭayeva vācā// Ibid., II. 14

[14]:

Ibid., IV. 34

[15]:

Ibid., XIII. 28

[16]:

Ibid., VII. 42; XVII. 67

[17]:

Ibid., IX. 14

[18]:

Ibid., III. 48

[19]:

Ibid., II. 56

[20]:

Ibid., XII. 27

[21]:

Ibid., XV. 16

[22]:

Ibid., VI. 55; XVI. I

[23]:

Ibid., II. 23; VII. 54

[24]:

Ibid., VI. 74

[25]:

Ibid., VIII. 21

[26]:

Ibid., VI. 67; XII. 9; XVI. 57

[27]:

Ibid., VI. 70; X. 19

[28]:

Ibid., XI. 43; XXV. 28

[29]:

Ibid., VI. 51; X. 19

[30]:

Ibid., VI. 70; XV. 32

[31]:

Ibid., VI. 70

[32]:

Ibid., XX. 65; XXI. 5, 16

[33]:

Ibid., XII. 13

[34]:

Ibid., XXII. 27

[35]:

Ibid., XVIII. 52; XXIII. 20

[36]:

Ibid., X. 13; XXI. 48; XXII. 9, 58

[37]:

Ibid., XXI. 13

[38]:

Ibid., IX. 24, XIII. 7

[39]:

Ibid., IX. 38; XIII. 5

[40]:

Ibid., XIX. 2

[41]:

sumanonivahaṃ grahītumicchaṅjitamuktāśabalendranīlabhāsaḥ/
pratipaṇyatayeva dṛṣtipātānamucatsā prathamaṃ mahīruheṣu// Ibid., VIII. 14

[42]:

Ibid., VII. 65

[43]:

Ibid., IX. 37

[44]:

Ibid., V. 51, page 72; Jonarāja comments-duṣṭasya deśānniṣkālitasya punaḥ praveśābhāvārthaṃ paścādbhasmajalaṃ kṣipyata ityācāraḥ/

[45]:

Ibid., III. 29

[46]:

Ibid., II. 12