ANCIENT INDIA. 



15 



minute rules existed with regard to the quality and kinds of 

 water to be used. In connection with temples and some 

 other institutions the remains of ancient reservoirs and water- 

 conduits still exhibit the care with which they were attended 

 to, and as already observed the excavation of public tanks 

 constituted one of the most " meritorious " acts of public 

 philanthropy. 



9. Intoxicating Drinks. — They had six different kinds of 

 fermented and spirituous drinks : that prepared from the grape 

 was called siddha, from raisins mdrdvika, from the flowers of 

 Bassia \&i\i6\i&madhulaka } from jaggery or goor, guda or sura. 

 In the Shastras the use of wine and spirits is forbidden ; 

 but in the Tantra they are allowed, and the worshippers 

 of Siva indulge in their use. Spirits are described as " a kind 

 of poison which taken in moderation and with food produce 

 good effects, being heating, pungent, subtile, light, placid 

 and drying. When taken in large quantities these qualities 

 act unfavourably on the humours, and instead of strengthening 

 the body will destroy it. Spirits, like medicine, when taken 

 in a proper manner restore appetite and strength to the body." 

 Such particulars as are available lead to the conclusion that, 

 in the early stages of society in India, the vice of drinking 

 was general, and that the orgies of those days were very 

 disgraceful. One of the many good results of Buddhism, 

 however, appears to have been the diminution of drunkenness. 



10. The Social Evil and Polygamy. — Among the earliest 

 disciples of Sakya Muni were " the wealthy courtesans of 

 great cities." During the Greek and Roman period of Indian 

 history the public women were employed as spies of the 

 Government, those of cities being employed for this purpose 

 by the civil authorities, those who followed camps, in other 

 words, " wrens " by the military inspectors. But what will 

 be said to this ? At the ancient town of Eajagriha, to the 



