The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.410.4

v2.c31.410.4

After dinner he worshipped with flowers the household temples and made dancing girls wave lights before the deities. Worship over, he listened to musical concerts and recitations, sung by *cāraṇas*. Having thus passed the day, he then retired to rest.¹ Another interesting work on Kumārapāla's conversion to Jainism is the allegorical drama *Moha-rāja-parājaya* of Yaśaḥpāla (*c.* 1174-77 A.D.)² which resembles the *Prabodhacandrodaya* of Kṛṣṇa Miśra (*c.* 1065 A.D.) This work also specially emphasises Kumārapāla's prohibition of the four *vyasanas*³ and the abolition of the rule by which the property of those who died heirless was confiscated to the state.⁴ The king, we are told, ordered his *Daṇḍapāśikas* to suppress gambling, meat-eating, wine-drinking, butchery, robbery and adultery. But it is interesting to know that *Veśyā-vyasana* was not considered to be a very great sin, and was apparently allowed to continue. Gambling, it appears was very common amongst the nobles, princes, and general public. Yaśaḥpāla describes five kinds of gambling, *viz.*, (1) *Amdhiya*, (2) *Nālaya* (3) *Caturaṅga*, (4) *Akṣa* and (5) *Varāḍa*. We are told that amongst habitual gamblers, some have hands, feet, and ears chopped off; of others the eyes are removed; some are without nose and lips, and of some all the limbs are cut off, while others go naked.¹ But apart from these disreputable fellows, there were amongst the habitual gamblers men of the highest families.