Nayakumarchariu

Author(s): Pushpadant, Hiralal Jain
Publisher: Balatkaragana Jain Publication Society

Page 33

NAYAKUMĀRACARIU
Rivalries amongst a king's sons :- Rivalries for the throne amongst the sons of a king would show themselves in fratricidal intrigues which could be avoided from fructifying only by the banishment of the younger brother from the realm. The latter would then be thrown upon individual resources to earn a fortune. Personal charms, efficiency in music and in wielding the sword, helped Nāgak, under such circumstances. It was here, in particular, that the education of a prince in arts like those enumerated by our poet (III, 1), would serve him well.
Fine Arts : -Singing, dancing and instrumental music formed an important part of the education of princes and princesses alike. The latter used to make proficiency in these arts as a test in the selection of a husband, as was done by the princesses of Kashmir and Meghapur who were married by Nāgak, after proving his skill in playing upon the Alāpini and the Midanga respectively (1,7, 11; VIII. 7, 7). Nāgak. made his three queens dance in the Jina temple, to the accompaniment of the music of his Vīņa ( V. 11, 12). At the time of Jayandhara's marriage with Prthvidevi the women of the town performed Tāndaya dance (1,18, 2), and at the time of Nāgakumāra's birth sportive women performed coquettish dance (1l. 9,9 ) Musical instruments that have been mentioned in the work are: vina, alapini and tantri (kinds of lute), mardala, pataha, dundubhi, dhakka, bukka, bheri and mrdanga ( kinds of drums), sankha (conch), jhallari and ghanta (bells) and türya ( a blow-instrument).
Amusements and games:–The usual pastime of the princes was sport in a garden or tank in company of the inmates of their harem (upavana-kridā and jala-kridā, II, 1; II, 5, 8; III, 8; V, 7; VIII, 1). Sprayers (jalayantra ) were used during water sports. But the game of dice with stakes ( aksa-dyūta ) was no less popular. There used to be special gambling houses (tinta ) in a flourishing rondition where courtiers used to play freely (III, 12). The game was resorted to sometimes, even to earn money as was done by Nāgak. The latter was invited even by his own father for a game which he said 'was dear to gods, demons and men alike' (III, 13,9). The following articles are mentioned in connection with the game-kaditta (board), kitita (bet), varādia (cowries), sāri (pawn or a piece) and pāsa (dice) (III, 12, 5; III, 13, 10).
Military-Army is frequently mentioned as consisting of four divisions (cauranga), footman, horses, elephants and chariots. Regular soldiers of the army seem to have been granted lands for family maintenance (VII, 6, 7). During battles, the capture or death of the king was invariably a signal for general surrender. Military arms that have been mentioned are churiká, khadya, asi, karavāla and vasunandaka (kinds of swords), kunta, sula, sella, jhasa and arkuća (kinds of spears), mudgara, gadā and musala (kinds of maces), capa, kodanda or dhanuşa and būna (bows and arrows), parašu (axe) and kavaca (armour).
Trade-Merchants made long journeys and voyages for purposes of trade. A merchant from Magadha visited Girinagara in Saurāstra by boat (salila-yāna, 1, 15, 6), and another from Kaśmir visited Sindha (V, 10). On their return, they
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