Jain Journal 1968 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 41

APRIL, 1968
187
It is well-known that the game of hockey originated in India, and there can be hardly any doubt that in the description of the game left by the two sedate monks, we have a vivid picture of an early game of hockey Unfortunately Abhayatılaka Ganı does not mention the number of players who could play at a time, nor whether the ball had to be taken across a definite line like a goal une, but from his indications it seems that we cannot be far wrong if we imagine that the game used to be played by a restricted number of players who tried to take the ball not only across the opponent's side of the area, which must have been clearly demarcated, but across its other extremity where now the goal posts are erected The important points to be noted are that Abhayatilaka Gani mentions that the game was played at a time and in a kind of ground which are ideal for hockey, and the stick with the curved ends can only be hockey sticks Not the least important part of the above narrative is however the description of the fist fight which ensued when a player intentionally hit another with his stick This touch of reality shows that both Hemacandra and Abhayatilaka Gana had either played or witnessed the game So far as Hemacandra is concerned however, it is known that he was taken away from his parents and home when he was five years old and soon afterwards began his studies, probably the Great Monk in his childhood used to witness the game and what must have impressed his young mind was the fist fight in which this village game once ended
Other games included pigeon and cock fighting and various type of gambling in gambling houses Young girls played the karkaraka which 10volved the throwing up of small pebbles and catching them, a game known in many parts of India even now Another game, which Hemacandra calls muştıdyutam, was played by both boys and girls , one had to take certain number of conries in one's hand and the opponent had to guess whether the number of cowries was odd or even if the guess was correct the challenger lost his cowries, otherwise the opponent had to pay him the amount which had been hidden in his palm This game also is fairly well-known even now
Another game, which Hemacandra calls navalaya (unsaid) has passed out of fashion long ago Here a young married lady was placed on a swing, and her friends asked her husband's name Out of modestý and social custom, she could not of course utter her husbands' name, and had to endure blows from creepers from her friends But modesty had Its limit, as is evident from another example given by Hemacandra