Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canons

SR No.: 011077
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagdishchandra Jain
Publisher: New Book Company
Publication Year: 1947
Total Pages: 429
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 104

102
LIFE IN ANCIENT INDIA
Bricks (attıkā), 180 earth (pudhavī), gravel (sakkarā), sand (rāluyā) and stone (uvala) were known as building materials. Stuccocd housc (sudhākammanta) is mentioned; stone-houses (selovat thāna) were common.'91
LIGHT AND FUEL Lamps are mentioned which werc lighted after sunset. Threc kuads of lamps are referred to, viz , avalambana, nikampana and panjara 'The first was fastened by chains, the second had upright shafts and thc thud was spherical like globe. The lamps were lighted in the shrines of Skanda and Mukunda where sometimes the images caught firc by the upturning of the lamps by dogs or mice 193 Torch-bearers (diviya) were also a familiar feature of the times.104 Cow-dung and wood were used as fuel.
CANC AND LEAF WORK Then there were mat-workers (chavvıya), grass sandal-makers (muñjapāduhākura),195 rope-makers (varuda),196 winnowing sievc-makers197 and basket-makers Other products of this industry were palm-lcaf fans (tālavanta ; välavījana), 188 umbrellas (rusallana),199 made from palasa leaf and bamboo sticks, brooms (onusampacchani),200 and bamboo boxes (venuphala).201 Then there were loops or pingocs (sikkaka) which were used by monks for carrying fruits, etc, in the absencc of bowls Kapotikā (a bamboo lath provided with slings aí each end) was used to carry an ācārya, a child or a sidhu suflcring from serious pain 202 Brooms (rayaharana) and bags (goni) were made from da, bha and muñja glass 203 Shops (kammanta) are mentioned where different articles were made from darbha grass, bark, trees, etc 201 The leaves of the birch tree (bhujapatta) were used for sending messages.205
DYES, GUMS, AND CHEMICALS Among the miscellaneous industries, may be mentioned the dyeproducing work. Probably dyes were made from substances such as 180 Brh. Bha. 3. 470. 190 Süyd II, 3. 61. 101 Acă. II, 2. 303. 192 See Naya Ti., 1, 42a, under marriage gifts 193 Brh Bha. 2. 3465. 184 Nist. c, 9, P 522 196 Panna. 1. 87. 100 No co., II, P. 747. 191 bod. 208 Ava. cù, p. 138., Naya. 1, p 11. 109 Brh. Bha. 3. 4097. 300 Raya. Si. 21, p. 63 201 Suya. 4. 2. 8. 303 Brh. Bhd. 1. 2886 f. 303 bid. 2. 3675. 304 Acā. II. 2. 303. 306 Ava, c., p. 630.