The Mauryan Polity c13.s12.16

c13.s12.16

✓(a) The massage of the body of the king seems to have been a familiar custom with the ancient kings. *Arthaśāstras* like the *Kauṭalīya* and the *Purāṇas* like the *Agni Purāṇa* mention this, among the daily routine of the Indian king. This fact is also recorded by Megasthenes. It is the duty of the *Samvāhaka*.² But Megasthenes has added that the king was being massaged when the court was in session. Either it was a fact or a simple case of imagination of the Greek writer. What is of importance to us is that both agree in the main particulars. Even women were engaged for this purpose as is referred to by both the authorities.³