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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
king voluntary presents and taxes1. They are also explained as the heads of the families of cultivators and merchantile people by D. R. Bhandarkar2. Gahavai and koḍumbiya is synonymous to Bhandarkar and to N. K. Dutta' who mention that they were also engaged in trade and money-lending. The 'jetthakas' were the Aldermen or presidents of the guilds of handicrafts". They were the headmen of professional guilds who looked after the enforcement of rules and regulations in their respective groups. The Vaniks seem to be the average tradesmen and merchants. All these merchants were the pillars of economy. They went to the capitals of neighbouring countries (2. 10; 33. 66) or distant countries (5. 83) by land route or water route (48. 21; 55. 39).
The rich persons were called 'dhani' (10. 3. 7). Their richness can be inferred from references to a dealer in gems (5. 32), to a very rich merchant (bahudhhapaiņņo 41. 54), to an owner of wealth worth four crore (5. 82) and to another owner of thirty-two crore (82-56).
Kings used to consult prominent merchants for the welfare of the state. The PCV (114. 5) states that Rama had enquired about the conditions of the people of his state form Śreṣthi Arhadasa. It indicates that prominent merchants or guild-presidents held high position in the state and they were consulted by the king on important matter relating to the administration of the country and its economic policies.
Hospitality was the most sacred duty of this class Arhadāsa of Saketa (89.12) became very remorseful of not offering alms to certain monks. He took rest when he could follow them to Mathura and felt happy when he could pay his homage to them (89.32). His daughter-in-law had duly accorded hospitality to those monks (89.17). Hitankara is referred to as 'susadhupratiṣevin' (5.28).
Besides these merchants, the farmers have been referred to (Karisaya 39. 68), Karisao 105. 32) as going to their fields for agricultural purposes. A cow-herd (govālao 5.96) is mentioned to be maintaining a big cow-pen and dealing in their sale.
1. Jinist Studies, pp. 79-82.
2. Ibid. p, 79-82.
3. Ibid, p, 80.
4. OGCI, p. 270.
5.
BI, p. 50:
6. OGCI, p. 273.
