Nayakumarchariu

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

Page 34

POLITICAL DIVISIONS OF INDIA
waited upon the king with rich presents and gave an account of their experiences. They even arranged marriages of the princes as was done by the former.
Fashion and luxury:-The form of receiving a guest in the home was to offer a seat which consisted of a wooden plank, and betel (VI, 17, 10; VIII, 5,15). Other articles of luxury mentioned in the work are-scents candana ( sandal), ghusrna or Kumkuma (saffron), Karpura (camphor). mrga-nābhi ( musk), turuska (benzoin), yakṣa-kardama (a compound of various scents, see notes on IX, 18, 13), lavanga (cloves) and ela (cardamom); jewels-suryakanta (sun-gem), candrakanta (moon-gem), marakata (emerald), nilakunta ( sapphire), manikya (ruby), spha tika (crystal) and mukta (pearl); ornaments-kundala (ear-rings), kankana (bracelet), nupura or manjira (anklet), hara, graiveyaka and dora (kinds of necklace), kanci-dāma or mekhala ( girdle) and mukuta (tiara ). The kings used tents (pata-mandava or dusa) on their tours (V, 1, 2; VII, 1, 15). Amongst coins are mentioned dinara and damma (III, 12, 12; VIII, 5, 12, see notes).
Faith in prophecy :-People had implicit faith in the prophecies made by ascetics. They not only believed in them but tried their utmost to bring about their fulfilment. When the king of Mathura was told that his sons Vyala and Mahāvyāla were destined to serve somebody he became disgusted with the world. and renounced the kingdom (IV, 5-6). The two princes became servants of Nagak. being guided by that prophecy. Five hundred warriors offered their services to Nagak. because they were told by a sage that whoever could eat the fruit of the poisonous mangoes without any injury was destined to be their master VII, 3, 8). The Vidyas and other valuables were kept for a long period in the Ramyaka forest by the deity Sudarsana and the Rakshasa for Nagak. in obedience to the prophecy of a sage (VI, 1-8). Vanarāja received Nagak. and married his daughter to him because he was told to do so by a sage (VI, 8) and the two princes Acheya and Abheya came to take up service with him for the same reason (VI, 16-17).
8. Political divisions of India as found in Nayakumaracariu.
Kingdom
1. Magadha
2. Pataliputra Pataliputra
3
Capital Kanakapura
King Jayandhara
Nagakumara
Devakumara
Srivarmă
- XXIX
Other information
a. In alliance with a Naga king who adopted Nagak. (II, 14, 2.)
b. In marriage alliance with Saurastra. I, 15-18; VII, 9.
c. Trade connections with Sauraṣtra (I, 15, 6).
a. At war with Gauda (IV, 7).
b. In marriage alliance with Mathura (IV, 6.).