286 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

They learned how to write dramas, and They learned the various types of
paintings, beginning from different village arts up te the highest perfec-
tional stage. They also learned how to paint tilaka on the face and make
different kinds of dots on the forehead and cheeks. Then They learned the
art of painting on the floor with liquid paste of rice and flour; such
paintings are very popular at auspicious ceremonies performed at house-
hold affairs or in the temple. They learned how to make a resting place with
flowers and how to decorate clothing and leaves with colorful paintings.
They also learned how to set different valuable jewels in ornaments. They
learned the art of ringing water pots. Water pots are filled with water toa
certain measurement so that when one beats on the pots, different tunes
are produced, and when the pots are beaten together they produce a melo-
dious sound. They also learned how to throw water in the rivers or the lakes
while taking a bath among friends. They also learned how to decorate with
flowers. This art of decorating can still be seen in various temples of Vrnda-
vana during the summer season. It is called phulabddi. The dais, the throne,
the walls and the ceiling are all fully decorated, and a small, aromatic foun-
tain of flowers is fixed in the center. Because of these floral decorations,
the people, fatigued from the heat of the summer season, become refreshed.

Krsna and Balarama learned the art of dressing hair in various styles and
fixing a helmet in different positions on the head. They also learned how
to perform on the theatrical stage, how to decorate dramatic actors with
flower ornaments over the ear, and how to sprinkle sandalwood pulp and
water to produce a nice fragrance. They also learned the art of performing
magical feats. Within the magical field there is an art called bahuriipi by
which a person dresses himself in such a way that when he approaches a
friend he cannot be recognized. They also learned how to make beverages
which are required at various times, and They studied syrups and tastes
and the effects of intoxication. They learned how to manipulate thin
threads for dancing puppets, and They learned how to string wires on
musical instruments, such as the vind, sitar and tampura, to produce
melodious sound. Then They learned puzzles and how to set and solve
them. They learned the art of reading books from which even a foolish
student can very quickly learn to read the alphabet and comprehend
writing. Then They learned how to rehearse and act out a drama. They
also studied the art of solving crossword puzzles, filing up the missing
space and making complete words.

They also learned how to draw pictographic literature. In some coun-
trics in the world, pictographic literature is still current. A story is repre-
sented by pictures; for instance, a man and a house are pictured to
