assembly should act in concert, both in times of distress as well as in times of prosperity, and it is also
the duty of these citizens to show hospitality to strangers who may have come to the assembly. What is
said above should be understood to apply to all the other festivals which may be held in honour of the
different Deities, according to the present rules.
Social GatheringsWhen men of the same age, disposition and talents, fond of the same diversions and with the same
degree of education, sit together in company with public women,13 or in an assembly of citizens, or at
the abode of one among themselves, and engage in agreeable discourse with each other, such is called
a Sitting in company or a social gathering. The subjects of discourse are to be the completion of verses
half composed by others, and the testing the knowledge of one another in the various arts. The women
who may be the most beautiful, who may like the same things that the men like, and who may have
power to attract the minds of others, are here done homage to.
Drinking PartiesMen and women should drink in one another's houses. And here the men should cause the public women
to drink, and should then drink themselves, liquors such as the Madhu, Aireya, Sara and Asawa, which
are of bitter and sour taste; also drinks concocted from the barks of various trees, wild fruits and leaves.
Going to Gardens or PicnicsIn the forenoon, men having dressed themselves should go to gardens on horseback, accompanied by
public women and followed by servants. And having done there all the duties of the day, and passed the
time in various agreeable diversions, such as the fighting of quails, cocks and rams, and other spectacles,
they should return home in the afternoon in the same manner, bringing with them bunches of flowers,
etc. The same also applies to bathing in summer in water from which wicked or dangerous animals have
previously been taken out, and which has been built in on all sides.
Other Social DiversionsSpending nights playing with dice. Going out on moonlight nights. Keeping the festive day in honour
of spring. Plucking the sprouts and fruits of the mango trees. Eating the fibres of lotuses. Eating the
tender ears of corn. Picnicing in the forests when the trees get their new foliage. The Udakakashvedika
or sporting in the water. Decorating each other with the flowers of some trees. Pelting each other with
the flowers of the Kadamba tree, and many other sports which may either be known to the whole country,
or may be peculiar to particular parts of it. These and similar other amusements should always be carried
on by citizens. The above amusements should be followed by a person who diverts himself alone in company with a
courtesan, as well as by a courtesan who can do the same in company with her maid servants or with
citizens.
A Pithamarda14 is a man without wealth, alone in the world, whose only property consists of his Mallika,15
some lathering substance and a red cloth, who comes from a good country, and who is skilled in all
the arts; and by teaching these arts is received in the company of citizens, and in the abode of public
women.
A Vita16 is a man who has enjoyed the pleasures of fortune, who is a compatriot of the citizens with
whom he associates, who is possessed of the qualities of a houseliolder, who has his wife with him,
and who is honoured in the assembly of citizens and in the abodes of public women, and lives on their
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By PanEris
using Melati.
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