The World of Courtesans c9.23

c9.23

Drinking was frowned upon by the *Dharmashastras*. Yet it was a common enough vice, and drinking booths and halls were provided in the *Vesa*. According to the *Brihatkathashlokasamgraha*, II. 21-33, drinking was an important part of the daily routine of a king. He woke up early in the morning and the bards started their music. Then he adorned himself with splendid clothes, ornaments and garlands. He then proceeded to the audience hall (asthana sthanam). There he granted interviews to important people, distributed awards according to their ranks, and ordered his ministers to arrange for the erection of a drinking booth (*apanabhumi*) in the garden. When the booth was ready, people flocked there and were honoured with gifts of clothes, ornaments, and garlands. The king and his companions drank wine out of ruby cups (*padmaragsukti*). Outside the drinking booths lutes were strummed, there was dance and music. In the evening the king returned to his palace and almost regularly attended musical performances and dramatic shows in which women alone participated.