345 
1872.] Babu Rajendralala Mitra — A Picnic in Ancient India. 
appear to Europeans in the light of a sample of Eastern jealousy ; but to 
modern Indians the mere fact of ladies of rank dancing before a large 
assemblage, and in the presence of seniors, will not fail to strike as highly 
reprehensible. To qualify the ladies for taking a becoming part in such 
entertainments it was formerly necessary to employ a music master in every 
respectable household. As in Italy two centuries ago, so in India many 
centuries before that, eunuchs were much esteemed for the sweetness of their 
voice, and held in great requisition as teachers of music, and in the Virata 
Parva of the Mahablnirata, Arjuna becomes a eunuch, in order to serve as a 
music master to the daughter of a king. 
I do not find any reference to maidens as forming members of the picnic 
party, and the description in a subsequent chapter of Bhanumati, the maiden 
daughter of Bhanu, a Yadava chief, having been abducted from her home by 
the demon Nikumbha, while the Yadavas were away from Dvarka, engaged 
in their carousals, would suggest the inference that they were not taken to 
such gatherings. 
The description of the picnic in the Harivansa runs as follows : The 
translation is anything but literal, and many epithets and repetitions 
have been omitted, but not a single word has been put in of which there is 
not a counterpart in the original, or which has not been rendered necessary 
for the sake of idiom. 
“ When Vishnu of unrivalled vigour dwelt at Dvaravati,* he once desired 
to visit the sea-side watering-placof of Pindaraka. Appointing king Vasu- 
deva and Ugrasena regents for the management of state affairs, ho started 
with the rest (of his family). 
“ The wise Baladeva, the lord of regions, Janardana and the princes, 
earthly lords of god-like glory, issued forth in separate parties. Along with 
the handsome and well adorned princes, came thousands of prostitutes. 
These dealers on their beauty had been originally introduced into 
Dvaravati by the mighty Jadavas, who had brought them away from 
the palaces of the Daityas whom they had conquered. These wore common 
harlots who had been kept for the entertainment of the Jadava princes. 
Krishna had kept them in the city with a view to prevent unseemly brawls 
which, at one time, used to take place on account of women. 
“ Baladeva went out with his only affectionate wife, Revatf, on whom the 
glorious chief of the Yadu race, entertained the feeling which the Chakravaka 
has for his mate. J Adorned with garlands of wild flowers, and jubilant with 
draughts of kadamba wine, he disported with lievati in the ocean waters. 
* Dvarka, so called from its having had many doors, “the city of a hundred "ates ’’ 
t Lit. tirtha a sacred pool, hut tlio sequel will show that the trip was one in quest 
of pleasure and not a pilgrimage for religious merit. 
{ The Bnihmani drake, Anas ratila, is said to bo the most constant of husbands. 
