Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

SR No.: 001615
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur
Publication Year: 1964
Total Pages: 686
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Canon
File Size: 12 MB

Page 138

Sec. VIIA] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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the material life and went to the jungle where he embraced death by starving himself.
There are sufficient evidences to show that the culprits were subjected to great disgrace, together with their relatives who were even forced to live in the Candāla area.?
In addition to these penalties the following types of punishments are referred to in the Jaina texts, such as "putting in irons (aduyabandhana)," in stocks (hadibandhana), into prison, screwing up hands and feet in a pair of shakles and breaking them, cutting off hands and feet, ears or nose or lips or head or throat-glands (muravā), piercing the organ (veyagachahiya ?jo body (angachahiya), the sides, tearing out eyes, teeth, testicles, or tongue, hanging, brushing, whirling round, impaling, lacerating, pouring acids (in wounds), belabouring with a leather strap, twisting the organ like a lion's tail (sihapucchiya)," like a bull's tail, burning in a wood fire and exposing the offender to be devoured by crows and vultures.":6 Prison
The reference made in the Bhs to the release of prisoners by the promulgation of royal order as a general amnesty on account of the birth ceremony of a new born prince in the royal family implies that there was a regular system of jail administration. But the work does not throw any light upon the class of culprits put into prison, their terms of imprisonment, general conditions of prison and plight of prisoners.
In this respect some Jaina texts give us a graphic account of the jail administration and conditions of prisoners' life.
1 Uttaradhyayana sikā, p. 190a.
The Commentary on the U dana, p. 149. 8 Ovāiya Suya, 38, p. 164. Abhayadeva gives a variant as
Väikacchachinnaga' and renders as 'Uttarāsanganyāyena vidaritak', Veyagacchahiya' is referred to in the Paiyasaddamahannavo. See the Commentary for explanation. Suya. II, 2, 35 ; Ovāiya Sul. 38, p. 162 f., Panha, 3, 52a ff; also Milinilapanha, p. 197; Majjhima Nikāya 1-87. Refer to Life in Ancient India by Dr. J. C. Jain 73, 60-64 ff. Bh8, 11, 11, 429; Cf. Nāyādhammakahão I, p. 20 and Arthaśāstra p. 165.
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