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Economic Conditions
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likās are referred to as ornaments of cows. The SamyuttaNikāja- and the Jatakas3 inform us that elephants, horses, chariots, etc., were decorated with golden ornaments (Sovannālaknāra), golden banners (Suvannadhaja), golden network (Hemajālapatichihhādana) and the like.
The kings and nobles used golden bowls in which they ate and drank. The chair, bed-steads, thrones, and royal cars used by kings were inlaid with gold.4 Golden vases (bhingāra) were not unknown. Silver (rajata) was used frequently for preparing household utensils.5 PEARLS, GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES
In Jaina literature, we find references to many precious stones, jewels, pearls, conches, corals, rubies, gomedaya (zircon), ruchaka, anka, sphaţika (quartz), lohitaksha, marakala (emerald), masāragalla, bhujagamochaka (serpentine), indranila (sapphire), hamsagarbha (a variety of rock-crystal), pulaka, saugandhika, (a ruby), chandraprabhā, vaidūrya (cat's eye), jalakānta or chandrakanta (moon-stone) and Suryakanta? (sun-stone). Buddhist literature refers to muktā (pearls), mani (crystal), beluriya (beryl), bhaddaka (luck-stone), sankha, sila, parala (coral), lohitajika (ruby), and masāragala which were obtained from the ocean.8 Most of the jcms and precious stoncs mentioned above were used for making ornaments and inlaid work. The art of skilfully cutting precious stones and giving them various shapes was known. Nanda is mentioned as a rich jeweller of Rāyagiha.10 Bhandāgāra was known as a trcasure-house where no less than sixteen kinds of jewels were preserved. 11 We also hear of ten expert stringers (multis).1: 1. Va, 2. p. 13. 2. Ja, III. 145. 3. lbid, 11, 48, 143, IV 404; V. 255-59; VI. 39; 457-S, 510. 4. Vöyå Ti I. p. 420. 5. Ibid. 6. Kalta, 4. 89. 7. Ulicra, 30. 75 f.
Arg:1, IV, 255, 238, 262; Aigu, IV, 199, 203; U'cona, 1, 5, ?. Wč come across marilundela (ja, III, 153; IV. 42.; VI, 235) %:ita!
ara (Já. III. 377), Variatima (ja. IV.). 10. Väri, 13, p. 141. 11. Visi, chio. p. 311. 13. . Ti, 947, p. 4:20a.
