Cultural Study of Nisitha Curni

SR No.: 001743
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Madhu Sen
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 432
Language: English, Prakrit
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & Literature
File Size: 23 MB

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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
bound to lose his kingdom and was sometimes even dethroned or replaced by another king by his discontented ministers and subjects. The kings were advised not to indulge in the following seven vices (vasana-vyasana)-women, dice, wine, hunting, rude speech, severe punishment and misappropriation of the royal funds. 2 Addiction to these vices was bound to make a king incompetent in managing State-affairs in spite of his sound knowledge of state-craft (rajjaṇiti). To have weakness for women was considered to be the greatest vice which even in the absence of the other vices could make a king neglect the affairs of the State. Somadeva also considers free association with the inmates of harem as an intimate source of danger to the king. He states-"Verily the king who, blind with passion, associates with women in the inner apartments, soon loses his life, like a frog entering a serpant's hole'."
Women, dice, hunting and drink are mentioned in the Bṛhatkal pa Bhasya as "four sins reprehensible in a king with regard to the State-function"." The same view has been upheld by most of the ancient Brāhmaṇical authorities. Rude speech (vayana-pharusa) was another source of danger to the king as it could create dissatisfaction amongst the intellectuals. Somadeva clearly asserts-"Rude speech is even worse than the injury caused by a weapon"." Kings were advised 1. रज्जणीतिअजाणत्तणतो ववहारादि कज्जाणि अप्पणा "ण सीलेति" ण पेक्खतित्ति वृत्तं भवति, अपेक्खंतस्स य रज्जं विणस्रुति, अण्णो वा राया ठविज्जति -- NC 3, p. 507. Vimalasūri also states the knowledge of state-craft to be necessary for a king-Nayavihīnu Niyikusala.-Paumacariya, 8. 142, 612. 2. N. Bha. 15. 4799; see also-NC. 3, p. 507.
3. NC. 3, p. 506.
4. सेसवसणेहिं अवट्टतो वि विसयलोलत्तणतो णिच्चमंतेउरे अच्छति तस्स वि रज्जं विणस्सति -NC. 3, p. 507.
5. Yasastilaka, Book IV, p. 153; Nitivākyāmṛta. 24. 31; vide-Handiqui, K. K., Yasastilaka and Indian Culture, p. 104.
6. Brh. Bha. 1. 940.
7. Arthasastra, 8. 3.421; Mahābhārata, III. 13. 7; Manusmrti, VIII. 50; Kamandaka Nitisāra, V. 54; Sikdar, J. C., Studies in the Bhaga vati Sutra, p. 82.
8. "वयणफरुसो" एत्थ वयणदोमेण रज्जं विणस्सति -- NC. 3, p. 507.
9. वाक्पारुष्यं शस्त्रपातादपि विशिष्यते - Nītivā., p. 179.