Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 267

Social Conditions
247
slavery,1 It is said that Pūraņa Kassapa and Ajita Kesakambali had been slaves in their previous lives,
There were different categories of slaves. Slaves born of slave mothers were known. That slaves were bought and sold is mentioned in the Jaina, Buddhist and Dharmaśāstra literatures. According to Nanda Jātaka, seven hundred paņas were enough for the purchase of a slave. The Sattubhakta Jatakao reveals that one hundred Kärshāpaņas were more than sufficient for having nine slaves. ·
The physical fitness of a male slave and the beauty of a female one might have been responsible for a higher price. Slaves were also given in gift. The Digha and Anguttara Nikājas say that the Buddha had prohibited the Bhikshus from accepting the gifts of slaves, either male or female.5 According to a Jātaka, a Brāhmaṇa demanded a hundred slave girls from a king along with other requisites as his gift, and his demands were fulfilled. 6
War-captives, who were reduced to complete subjection, might have been either sold or given in gifts to others by their masters. Chandanā, the first female disciple of Mahavira, was a slave of this type.? Some people became slaves for paying off their debts. A widow who purchased two palis of oil from a grocer on credit, had, when unable to pay off the debt, to serve him as a slave girl.8 Slaves were made during famine for want of food. The lidhura-pandita-Jätaka rcfers to those men who were driven to slavery mainly on account of fear.10 Some were condemned to slavery as a punishment for their crimes.11 1. U. N. GUOSEAL: Studies i: Indian History & Culture, pp. 461-467. 9. BANDOPADHYAYA, N. C: Economic Life and Progress in Ancient
India, p 297. 3. ja, IV. No. 39. 4. Ibid, No. 402. 5. Digha, I. 64; drig:, II. 209. 6. Ja, IV. 99 7. Ara, chù, p. 319. 8. Pinda, Air, (319), 9. Vya. Bha, 2.207; also Nahi. Vi, p. 25, 10. ja, Yo, 545. 11. Ibid, 1.200.