Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c17.80

c17.80

**Āśrama of Bharadvāja at Prayāga.** Lastly, we may mention one of the biggest Āśramas of the times, that of Ṛishi Bharadvāja at Prayāga, which accommodated Bharata and his royal retinue, including the ladies of the Palace. The Āśrama was equipped with "white *Chatuḥ-śālās*"; stalls which accommodated the royal elephants and horses; *harmyas* or mansions; *prāsādas* or palaces, and their *toraṇas* or gateways; a separate *rāja-veśma* or royal guest-house fitted with several *toraṇas*, and furnished with beds, seats, and vehicles, coverlets and carpets, stores of food. The Āśrama also entertained its royal guests with the performances of musicians and dancing girls. All this lavish hospitality was extemporized for the occasion, showing the resources which Ṛishi Bharadvāja could command in the locality by his personality [*R.*, vi, 126; ii, 90–2].¹