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Social Conditions
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might have produced a natural reaction in the mind of Lord Mahāvira which led to the propagation of the doctrine of non-injury to living beings. For the protection of animal life, he instructed both monks and laymen to abstain from meateating.
Drinking was fairly common during this period. There are references to Surā and Meraya (Maireya) as intoxicating drinks. The kings, princes, nobles, warriors, and rich people called Sethis drank liquor. The religious people and the Brahmachārins of all castes were to abstain from drinking. The Jaina süītras prohibit the Jaina monks from visiting festive gatherings in which people drank: According to the rules of the Vinaya, the novices were not to drink strong drinks and intoxicating liquors, and the same rule applied to the elders. We learn from the Dharmasūtras of Āpastamba," Gautama," and Visliņuo that the Brāhmaṇas were not allowed to indulge in drinking.
The Jaina and Buddhist sources inform us that the festive occasions were marked by feasting, drinking, and merry-making. There used to be a festival known as SuraNakkhata (drinking festival) which was marked by unrestricted drinking, feasting and dancing, leading finally to brawls in which people broke their heads, feet, and hands.
Liquor was manufactured or consumed on a large scale. Taverns (Pānāgara : Kappasāla) where various kinds of winc were sold were common. From the jātaka stories we know that there were crowded taverns, where liquor was kept filled in jars and sold.10 The owners of the taverns kept apprentices who helped them in their business. 11 Gencrally, these taverns 1. Chu, XII, 1 3; Angu, 11. 53, II. 54; IV. 3; 249; Titulala, 74: PE, IT,
4.25; VI. 2.70. 2. SBE, XXII; pp. 91-95. 3. SBE, XIII. 211, 215. 4. lp. Dh. S, 1, 5 17.21.
Gau. Dk. S. IT. 26. 6. l'as, Dh. S, XXII. S4, 7. SBE, XXII, pp. 04-05. S. 38, 1. 362, 459. 9. Ibid. IV. 115-16. 10. Ibid. 1.251-252 (Nos. 47, 78). 11. Ibid.
