husband’s children, and having gained over his friends to her side, should through them make him acquainted of her devotion to him. In religious ceremonies she should be a leader, as also in vows and fasts, and should not hold too good an opinion of herself. When her husband is lying on his bed, she should only go near him when it is agreeable to him, and should never rebuke him, or show obstinacy in any way. If her husband happens to quarrel with any of his other wives, she should reconcile them to each other, and if he desires to see any woman secretly, she should manage to bring about the meeting between them. She should moreover make herself acquainted with the weak points of her husband’s character, but always keep them secret, and on the whole behave herself in such a way as may lead him to look upon her as a good and devoted wife.
Here ends the conduct of a wife disliked by her husband.
The above sections will show how all the women of the King’s seraglio are to behave, and therefore we shall now speak separately only about the king.
The female attendants in the harem (called severally Kanchukiyas,[1] Mahallarikas,[2] and Mahallikas,[3]) should bring flowers, ointments and clothes from the King’s wives to the King, and he having received these things should give them as presents to the servants, along with the things worn by him the previous day. In the afternoon the King having dressed and put on his ornaments should interview the women of the harem, who should also be dressed and decorated with jewels. Then having given to each of them such a place and such respect as may suit the occasion and as they may deserve, he should carry on with them a cheerful conversation. After that he should see such of his wives as may be virgin widows re-married, and after them the concubines and dancing girls. All of these should be visited in their own private rooms.
When the King rises from his noonday sleep, the woman whose duty it is to inform the King regarding the wife who
- ↑ A name given to the maid servants of the zenana of the King in ancient times, on account of their always keeping their breasts covered with a cloth called kanchuki. It was customary in the olden time for the maid servants to cover their breasts with a cloth, while the Queens kept their breasts uncovered. This custom is distinctly to be seen in the Ajunta cave paintings.
- ↑ The meaning of this word is a superior woman, so it would seem that a Mahallarika must be a person in authority over the maid servants of the harem.
- ↑ This was also appertaining to the rank of women employed in the harem. In later times this place was given to eunuchs.
