Akhyanakmanikosha

Author(s): Nemichandrasuri, Punyavijay, Dalsukh Malvania, Vasudev S Agarwal
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 80

Satthavaha. in AMKV.
25
vrajaka is similarly described in the Vasudevahindi, I. p. 40, where it is said that he carried a waterpot besides the tridanda and the ganitliya. There are many descriptions of beautiful ladies, compare for exainple, the description of Rukmini (p. 73), or of the wives of Meghakumära and so on. A deformed person is described on p. 69. The activities of Kāpālika Bhārabhūti (pp. 105-106 ) may be noted. Also note the account of Kåpalika Bhairavānanda on p. 195. vv. 82-83. A madman (gahilla, gahillaya, cf. Guj. Qe11) roams about singing dancing, muttering and embracing passers by (190.60). The mother of Arahannaka turns mad when her son is missing. Children in the streets harass her. Her wandering in the street is vividly described (272 158 f.). Also note the description of a beggar in rags, carrying a monkey with him ( 45. 59-61).
Descriptions of caravans may be noted. Dhana, a salthavāha (Sarthatāha leader of a caravan ) of Ksitipratisthita nagara, collects various commodities for sale (sajji kāum kayānayasamaham) and with mules, bulls and camels starts for Vasantapura to earn money (atthovajjanakajje). Before starting he announces with beating of drum (ghosāvio padaho) that the poor and the beggars (kappadiya ) etc. (who wished to accompany but ) who had no means to afford provisions for the journey (sambalam, especially, food ) including food, kavalta (karapatra, drinking vessel ). clothing etc. will be supplied with the same by the leader. Some Jaina sādhus also decide to accompany. The sârthváha starts on an auspicious day and bour, wearing white dress and having performed the kouyamangala (kautukamangalam), as also after paying respects to his tutelary gods and goddesses. Then follows a vivid description of the caravan with carts ( loaded with goods) moving and making noise ( cakkacikkāram) and so on. When they rest in a forest grove canvass tents are raised up for him (āvāsio visāriyavisālapadamandata gihesu ), some of the people in the caravan satthiyajano) rest under the shades of big trees and the servants (kammayarā ), with big utensils like karavalla (karapalra ), diyada (cf. modern Guj. 221)", kāodi (Guj. 4195, a pole with two baskets or vessels hung at two ends ), kudaya ( kundikā, s's or 31 ) etc, in their hands, in order to fetch water.
Going out to other lands with krayānaka (Also called bhandollam-22.59 ) was very common. A person carried a sambalathaia (a bag of eatables, provisions, for journey).' He was given Sinihakesaramodakas with precious jewels hidden in them (23.93 ff.). Dhaņāvaha seţthi loads his vahanam (boat ) with cargo of commodities (kayānaga ) and crossing the ocean reaches the Simhaladvipa. There are many references to traders going into the seas in boats (jāņavatti, 203.608; jānavattu, in Apabhramsa passage. 213.608, also cf. paratire bhinnam jantassa bohittham, 30.18; nävä, 72.20 ). The boatsman or pilot of a yāna patra was called a karnadhāra.
Especially noteworthy is the reference to poyavania (polavanika) named Dehila coming from another island and persuading a lady to come into his jänavalta to sell flowers. He immediately lifts the anchors (samvariā nangaria samubbhio jhatti seyavado-300.338-344 ) and the boat swifty moves like an arrow discharged from a bow. The poyavania is therefore a trader who carries on trade through boats, i. e. who is a sea-merchant. He is a nauvittaka. In the story of Padmottara who, according to AMKV. (p. 104) was a nauvittaka-karmahara-jivah, we hear of a nāittaga of Vânārasi, named Samkha (108.1). In v. 12 on p. 108, in the same context we find the wood nāittai used in the same senseNauvittaka, Näittaga, Näittai, Näitta..
1. Also see, Sandesara, B. J., Cultural Data in the Vasudeva-hindi, Journal of the oriental Institute, Vol. X. No. 1.p.16. 2. Diyada as a small water-vessel is still used in Rajasthan. For more information on Diyadi, a sort of leather-bag
( 108 ) for carrying water or a water vessel like it, see, Sandesara, B. J.'s note in Buddhiprakāśa (Guj. Jours.,
Ahmedabad), for August, 1960. p. 281. 3. Cf. " T74COTAUTIET" or "faat 8977454" From Kumärapāla-pratibodha, quoted by Paiasaddamahapnavo,
p. 549, 45341 = Dell, $1900. 2. Cf. V. S. Agrawal's note on, "Naitta in Apabhramsa Literature", published in Journal of the Oriental Institute, Vol.
V. Pp. 103-104. Our references further support the explanations offered by Dr. V. S. Agrawal.