Jain Journal 2013 07

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

Page 26

K.G. Sheshadri : Insects in ancient jain literature and culture
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The Bhagavati Sūtral speaks of bhamara (18.6.631). Different types of bees are also mentioned by the Jain Epic version of Rāmāyaṇa namely Paumācariya'? These include small bee (Ali 33.9) big bee (Bhamara 16.47), bhinga (33.148), honey bee (Mahuyara 92.9, 15.29, 17-90). The black bee is called Sāranga. Special texts on the omens related to bees also exist such. as ‘Bhramaraphalāphala Vicāra Prakaraṇa' [No. 6707/1]18. The Tamil Epic based on Jivakachintāmanilo a Jain tale of Jivaka states that he could summon bees to his side by speaking their language. It also specifies several kinds of bees.
Ants are also mentioned in Jain texts. They are of different varieties such as black ants (pipīlika), red ants (rohiņikā), termites (kāstahāraka). Jain narrative tales mention that king Bhoja could understand the words spoken by two ants over a quarrel of grain. Specific texts dealing on characteristics of ants also exist such as Pipilikālakshana20 (No. 7208/ 1), Pipilikāvichāra20 (No. 6928/10) and Pipilikājñāna (No. 116 [15])20. The last manuscript deals on omens of ants in a house and other places wth respect to different directions. A Jain poet of Karnataka named Aggala in his work Chandraprabhā Purāna-l dated to 12th c.A.D. described a young bee sporting in a flower rubbing its body over the pollen [1.287]. Another Jain poet Nāgacandra in his Mallinātha Purāna22 [1.16] speaks of cricket insects. He draws attention to the tunnel boring capacity of these insects in tree branches. He also names a special jewelled variety of cricket that destroys tree branches and also dead dry logs. ‘Lilavati Prabandha23 of Kannada Jain poet Nemicandra [12th c. A.D.] describes exquisitely the hive of honey bees. He describes a queen bee that makes its nest in high place under cliffs, tall branches or inside caves (VI.31].
The Bhagavati Sutra24 mentions several insects such as masage (mosquito), Bhamara (bee), Potțiya, Halla, Kunthu, Kulimgacchāyi in the text [18.6.631], [9.33.384],[15.1.555], [7.8.294] and [18.8.640].
The Paumachariya-5, being the Jain version of Rāmāyaṇa mentions insects like macci(fly-103.25), payanga (Moth-103.25), Masaga