Book Title: Critical Study Of Paumacariyam
Author(s): K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa

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Page 403
________________ 374 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM the game of dice with a courtezan (5.32). Thus this game was helpful in detecting the thefts also. A merchant's son Haridāsa lost all his property in the game of dice and thus was compelled to commit burglary in the royal palace. Thus this game proved to be a great vice. A Brahmin son was addicted to this vice. It was not considered to be a good habit by his parents and so he was expelled from home (82.79). After some time he turned to be a veritable master of this game and became the teacher of knaves (82.86). He enjoyed profusely the company of the courtezans and was accorded respect by the state. Prostitutes formed an institution of amusement for the rich and the nobles as mentioned else where. A merchant of Kundanagara, who had gone to Ujjeni on a trade-mission was allured by a beautiful prostitute of that place. He enjoyed company with her and within six months he lost all his property worth innumerable coins of money. He was not content with that much. His attachment to her was so deep that he did not consider it bad in attempting to commit theft in the royal house (33.65-73) for procuring the earrings of the queen for that prostitute. C. Amusements. Story-telling :-Besides these popular amusements, story-telling was also a sort of recreation during the time of relaxation. These stories or tales were of various kinds (nănākaha 79.31). In the Jaina literature there are regular references to four kinds of stories They are about women, food, country and king and the monks are prohibited from hearing them (Thānā Sec, 282). Welcome-celebrations :-Other occasions of amusements were associated with the return of the victorious kings and princes from war or with the visit of great persons. Return of kings was greeted with the playing of instrumental music. People flocked on roads to have a Darśana of the king, the buildings were decorated with flags and festoons and other artistic strings of pearls and gems (8 281-283; 74.33; 76.2; 78.50-51). On such occasions pavilions and arches were raised to welcome them (78.48–52). The welcoming ceremony of Sità performed by king Vajrajaugha was celebrated by playing instrumental music and vocal music (95.6). The arrival of monk Rāma in the city of Syandanasthali was greeted by the people by performing sports (ukkīliyautkrīdaņa) such as dance (naccaņa), hopping and jumping (vaggaņāi 115.6). Madanotsava :--The Paumacariyam mentions that the people of Lanka celebrated the festivity of cupid (mayaņussave 70.50) on the

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