Nirgrantha-1

Author(s): M A Dhaky, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

Page 34

Vol. 1-1995
Some Prakrit Works....
century A. D.) The author, also known as prajñā-śramaņa (Ascetic of Wisdom) is said to have acquired it as a favour of goddess Kuşmändi for his disciples, Puşpadanta and Bhūtabali, who were called from the Andhra region. Dealing with the importance of this work, it is stated in the Kuvalayamālā: "The summit of Mount Meru might shake and the current of the river Gangā might go reverse, but whatever is laid down in the Joni-pāhuda will never go wrong." According to the tradition, ācārya Siddhasena is said to have created magical horses after studying the instructions laid down here. It has been stated that, if a Jaina monk at the time of accepting monkhood, deposited wealth under the earth and later he was unable to trace it, he could successfully seek the assistance of the instructions laid down in this work. The manuscript of this important work is preserved in the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona. It contains 800 gāthās.
13.
Mayana-mauda (Madana-mukuta) has been referred to as a Prakrit work, composed by Gosai Vipra of Mahāpura, situated on the bank of the Sindhu river. It begins with obeisance to Makara-dhvaja (having a fish emblem on his banner). It has been referred to in the Jodhpur Collection Pt. II (B), 1965, p.155.
14.
Mrga-pakşi-śāstra or the knowledge of animals and birds. The knowledge of horses, elephants, bulls, dogs, cocks, tortoises, and goats was considered very important in ancient India, specially by royalty. Varahamihira dwelt on the characteristics of cows, dogs, cocks, tortoises, goats, and so forth. Dealing with the characteristics of cows, the author has stated that he gathered the information from Parāśara, the teacher of Brhadratha. The commentator has cited śālihotra in support of his views. Dealing with the dogs he cites quotations from Garga as an authority on the subject. Regarding cocks, tortoises, and goats, the authority of Garga has been cited. Hamsadeva, a protégé of Saundadeva, wrote a treatise of the same title in Sanskrit. It is a rare work on zoology, containing 1712 stanzas. Its manuscript is preserved in the palace library of Trivendrum. The work is divided into 36 sections, dealing with the nature, habits, species, young age, sporting, conception, food habits, duration of life, and so on of 225 animals and birds.
15.
Porāgama or the art of cooking, is mentioned in the Vasudevahindi. Sūda-śāstra which has been ascribed to Bhīmasena, finds a mention in the Brhat-kathā-ślokasangraha. It is also known as Anna-samskāra-śāstra. Elsewhere it has been stated that the art of cooking depended on the knowledge of the science of medicine and in order to acquire this knowledge people used to travel to the country of Yavana (XXIII. 107). King Nala, the husband of Damayantī, is said to have been expert in preparing delicious dishes with the heat of sun-rays.