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LIFE IN ANCIENT INRIA
in this art.13 Dhanuvdeya and isattha, as the sciences of archery, are counted among the seventy two arts, as we have already seen. We have secn hunters running here and there with bow and arrow in their hand in search of a forest-animal. The archer took the bow, chose a suitable position, pulled it up to the ear and shot the arrow. Various terms such as the back of the bow (dhanupit tha), bow-string (jira), gut (nhāru), arrow (usu),14 and awl-tipped arrow (ārāmuha)" are mentioned. Shooting at a sound without seeing (saddavehi) is mentioned.
It was compulsory for princes to acquire proficiency in the science of archery Wc come across various kings and princes who were adepts in this science. Reference has been made to king Cedaga who was a skilful archer. He used to shoot one arrow a day which proved fatal for the enemy. Cedaga's charioteer also was an adept in archery and is said to have killed thirty two warriors with one arrow." Jarākumāra was another expert marksman who is said to have shot dead Kanhavāsudeya by his arrow.78 Then Agadadatta is described as another shooter versed in the science of archery.79 We also come across Jain monks who were experts in archery (kayakarara) and who, at the time of difficulty, fought with the enemy and saved the Sangha so
Proficiency in archery was greatly prized and we hear of the prince Surindadátta who obtained a princess by shooting an effigy that stood on an axle to which were attached eight wheels 81 We are told that a shepherd who perforated the foliage of a bunyan tree with his small bow (dhanuhıya), at the command of a prince shot through the eyes of the king, and was offered a village in reward.82
(5) MUSIC AND DANCING
The people of ancient India loved music as we have already seen Not only kings and nobles were surrounded with musicians and dancers but even ordinary people loved singing and dancing or hearing and witnessing others doing so. The seventy two arts, referred to above, included the arts of dancing (natta), singing(gita), vocal music (saragaya), instrumental music (vāditta), drum music (pukkharagaya), and timing in music (samatāla), which shows that music and dancing were widely cultivated in ancient India.83
13 Dhanurmaha 15 menuoned as a festival by Bhasa, Dr. A. D. Pusalkar, Bhasa--A study, Lahore, 1940, p. 440 f. 74 Bhag. 66. 76 Uttarā. Ti. 4, p. 89. 18 Nāyā. 18, p. 208, also cf. Sarabhanga Jataka (No. 622), V, p. 129. 11 Ava. cf. II, p. 173. 18 Uttara. T. 1, p. 40. T9 toid. 4, p. 89. 80 See supra, 166, cf Nisi. ci.pi. p. 148. 81 Sec supra, p. 168 f. 82 Uttara. Ti 5, p. 102 a : cf. Dhammapada A II, p. 69 13 For characteristics of Indian music, see Coomaraswamy's The Dance of Stva, pp. 92-81.
