________________
236
LIFE IN ANCIENT INDIA
when a person renounced the world and approashed to the Teacher in a litter, he always occupied a seat facing the east."21 For disposing of the dead bodies, it is stated that first of all the monks should select the southwest direction, then south, then west, then south-east, then north-west, then east, then north and finally the north-east direction should be selected. 199
Then the ancient people were superstitious regarding planets It is stated that at the time of taking out a dead body of a monk, a suitable planet must be selected, otherwise the monks would undergo pīracchitla 193 Then superstitions are mentioned regarding travelling ; whicn the monks travelled from one place to another, they took into consideration the tithi karana and the nakkhatta The fourth, sixth, eighth, ninth and twelfth days of dark and bright months were considered auspicious 195 The sight of the following objects was considered inauspicious : a person wealing dirty clothes, rags or anointed with oil, a dog going from left to right, a hunchback, a dwarf, a woman advanced in pregnancy, an old maiden, a person carrying a load of wood or wearing coloured clothes and a "kuccandhara' ascetic.136 It is stated that while going to a physician the monks should go in odd numbers either in three or five ,128 at the time of departure if somebody sneezed or asked question as to where they cc going or the monks had a fall or stumbled or their head struck against something, it boded evil.127
The auspicious tithi, karana and nakkhatta 18 were selected when tradesmen made a sea-voyage. We have already referred to Arhannaga and other merchants of Campā who, after feeding their friends and 1 clitions in auspicious time, lcft for the harbour, and when the pūsa 'pusa) constellation was in ascendancy, released the ropes of the boat 19
Among auspicious objects mention is made of twelve kinds of musical instruments being beaten simultaneously (nandītūra), full vessel,130 the sound of conch-shell and drum, a golden pitcher, umbrella, chou nics, conveyance (vähana), carriage (ana), the samanas, flowers, swect-balls (modaka), curds, 181 fish, bell, and flags.193 Although the sramanas in general were considered auspicious but it is said that the rattapadas, caragas and tāpasas, including the sick, crippled, those who suffered from sickness, the physicians, those who wore dyed clothes or applied dust to
121 192 138 134 125 128 137 128 139
Cf Nāvā 1, p31. Brh. Bha 4 5505 f; also cf Bhag Arādhana V 1970 f, cf Manu V 92 Ibid,4 5527; also Bhag Ara 1988. Vya Bhā 1, 125 ff, p. 40a Ogha Bha 82 ff p. 74; Brh Bhā 1.1545 ff Bth. Bha 1.1028. Ibid, 1 1921-24. See algo BTh Samhută, chs. 98, 99 and 100. Suprap 118 But the robbers and farmers took an empty jar as auspicious (Brh Bhi pi 10) Cf Caraka (sarirasthāna), c), XII, 70-6, Bph. Bha, 1.1649 F,
180
191
133
Brn.
