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 148

CHAPTER II
DOMESTIC LIFE
According to Kautilya, members of the family for whose maintenance the head of the family is responsible include children, wife, mother, father, minor brothers, sisters or widowed girls. The conditions of living in a family were that the members must live in the same abode, partake of the food cooked in the same kitchen, and enjoy the common property. The patriarch was the head and the master of the family and he was obeyed by all the other members His wife was the mistress who looked after the household duties and was obedient to the master.
THE FAMILY
The Nayadhammakaha tells us the story of a rich merchant who had four sons and four daughters-in-law. The merchant was the master and the sole representative of the family. Once a thought arose in his mind as to who would be able to look after his family after his death So he invited his friends, relations, kinsmen and other family members and put his daughters-in-law to the test in their presence
3
1 Artha. p. 47.
I
The father was held in great respect which was equal to that paid to the master and the religious teacher. It is stated that one should apply sayapaga and sahassapaga oils and other fragrant unguents to the body of the parents, should give them bath and decorate them. They should be served with eighteen kinds of seasoned food, and even if one carried them on one's shoulders one could not repay the debt which one owed to them 4
Cf. ibid p 190. 7, p. 84 f.
The father was viewed like a God in ancient India. We notice sons and daughters coming to the father to touch his feet (paya andava) every day. We are told of a merchant who was ready to sacrifice his lite foi the sake of his sons Upon thus his eldest son lose and offered himself in his father's place saying that he was like a teacher and God to them and the protector and supporter of the family and hence his life was more precious than that of the rest.
Our stories are full of pathos and happiness which depict the sublime love of a mother towards the child. We are told that when prince Meghakumara decided to embrace the ascetic life, his mother became unconscious and fell on the ground like a log. She was sprinkled over with water, fanned with a palm-leaf and was consoled by friends
Her cycs
4 Tha 3. 135.
5 Cf Naya. 1, 13, 16, 170 6 bid 19, p. 213.