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ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
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the religious point of view of the Jainas, the caravan-leaders (satthavaha) and the travellers (atiyattiya) accompanying the caravan were divided into eight classes, such as a Jaina layman (savaga), or one devoted to his religion (ahabhaddaga), or a heretic ( annatitthiya ) and so on. From the economic point of view this reveals that the trade was equally carried by the Jaina and the non-Jaina communities.
The caravans normally ventured on a journey under the auspicious omens ( sakuna ) and after seeing the favourable condition of stars and moon. Even the Jaina monks while travelling with a caravan were enjoined to follow the same regardless of their own particular omens. A feast (samkhadibhatta) was usually given to the Brāhmaṇas and the castepeople before proceeding on a journey. The caravan proceeded halting at proper places where its members took their meals and rest,' Every precaution was taken for safe and secure journey, yet there are many instances of the caravans being robbed, looted and destroyed (nattha), or lost in dreary forests or deserts.5
Articles of Trade—The trade-articles ( sattha-vihana ) were divided into four categories : (i) those which could be counted (ganima ) like the betel-nuts (pūgaphala) and haritaki (terminilia chebula ), (ii) those which could be weighed ( dharima ) such as pepper ( pippali ), dry ginger ( sunthi) and sugar ( khanda, sakkarā ), (iii) those which could be measured (mejja) such as rice and ghsta, and lastly (iv) those which were to be authenticated for genuineness (pāriccha ) such as pearls and jewels. This classification of the goods carried by the merchants for trade incidently reveals to us various articles which must have formed items of export and import. 1. NC. 4, p. 112. 2. suho i ariae POF THITT Toal-NC. 3, p. 215. 3. FET PU qaraar Fre fagor HSOTO Tofa—Ibid.; Bịh. Vr. 3, p. 868. 4. NC. 4, p. 113. 5. NC. 3, p. 527; NC. 4, p. 118. 6. referi go fortfa lu-NC. 4, p. 111; NC. 1, p. 144; Brh. VI.
3, p. 864; Nayadhammakaha, 8, p. 98.
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