India As Described In Early Texts Of Buddhism and Jainism

Author(s): Bimla Charn Law
Publisher: Bimlacharan Law

Page 90

82 -INDIA. AS DESCRIBED IN EARLY TEXTS lived on leaves, flowers and fruits of trees and put on garments of leaves or of flowers. They preferred to live in a beautiful hilly region along the banks of rivers, dwelling on the summit of hills during the rains and on the river banks during summer. They were timorous and shy by their nature, particularly afraid of the currents of water (udakabhītā). They were very playful, amusing and enchanting, fond of music and noted for their romantic conjugal love and fidelity. They were to be found in all the Himalayan ranges up to the Gandhamadana. To the hunters they were known as Kimpurisas. They possessed excellent health and their span of life was one hundred years.?
The Yavanas who are assigned in the Märkandeya Purāņa to the north-western extremity of India are known as Yonas in Pali 8 and Yaunas in the Great Epic. The Yonas are grouped, precisely as in Asoka’s Rock Edicts, 10
1, 2 Jataka., iv, pp. 288, 286.
8 Ibid., 1v, p. 283: Candapabbatavāsino Kinnarā vassāratta samaye Anotaritvā pabbate yeva vaganti, nidäghe otaranti.
4 Ibid., iv, p. 439.
6 Ibid., lv, p. 438f.: Mallamgirim Pandarakan Tikūtam sītodiyā anuvicaráma najjo; Apadana, i, p. 265f.: Candabhāgõnaditire ahosing kinnaro tadă pupphabhakko ... pupphānam vasenoll
& Ibid., 19, p. 489: jänanti no Kimpuriså oa luddā. 7 Ibid., iv, p. 441. 8 Majjhima, ü, p. 149. # Mahabharata, xü, 207.43. 14. R.E., V and XII.
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