India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c8.s13.t1.25

c8.s13.t1.25

*ACCESSORIES OF PLAY*—Pāṇini refers to two distinct methods of the game, *i.e.*, one played by *akshas*, and the other played by *śalākās* (II.¹.10). A player with the former was called *ākshika* and with the latter *śālākika* (cf. *Kāśikā* on Pāṇini, IV.4.2). The *Arthaśāstra* also refers to both of these, stating that the Superintendent of Dicing shall supply *aksha* and *śalākā* to the players (*Artha.* III.20. p. 198). The *akshas* seem to have been cubical and the *śalākās* oblong pieces marked on the sides with points or numbers. In the representation of the gambling scene at Bharhut the *akshas* are shown as little cubes (Cunningham, *Stupa of Bharhut*, pl. XLV).