History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c26.s3.t2.2

v1.c26.s3.t2.2

Drinking was common among Kṣatriyas. Sītā promises the Ganga a thousand jars of wine if members of the party return safe from exile (Sharma, 1971, pp. 232-242). After they do so, Rāma feeds her with his own hands with *maireya*, a spiced wine. Outside the public indulge in a drunken orgy, and even the atmosphere of Ayodhya was said to reek of wine (Sharma, 1971, pp 232-242). In the *Mahābhārata*, Kṛṣṇa enjoys drinking freely with Arjuna, and the Yadavas are killed in a drinking brawl. Even a virtuous lady, Sudeṣṇā, is shown as drunk on wine. Drinking scenes are depicted in sculpture in the Sanchi stupa (Sharma, 1971, pp. 232-242), in Kuṣāṇa temples at Mathura (Dayal, 1983, pp. 96-104) and in Calukyan temples at Pattadakal (Kamat, 1978, p. 170). The *nagaraka* (man of town) of the *Kāmasūtra* sips drinks from a *casaka* while nibbling at sweet bitter and acidic snacks (chalakdar, 1976, p.17). In Kālidasa’s plays (Pathak, 1978, p. 58) citizen and constable both indulge in drinks (*Śakuntalā*), and in *Raghuvamśa*, the whole of Raghu’s army drinks coconut wine, and an intoxicated *Irāvathī* is not able to move about properly.