Paumchariyam Part 1

Author(s): Vimalsuri, Punyavijay, Harman
Publisher: Prakrit Granth Parishad

Page 52

39
T.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE IN PAOMACHARIYA : Dhanus, Trišala, Kunta, Jangala, Kșurikā,' and the like, and missiles like Váruņa, Samirana, Agneya, Tamasa, Divakara, Uraga, Garuda, and Vināyaka."
The author refers to the following musical Military) instruments : Patu-Pațaha-Bheri JhallariKahala-Timila-Bharbha-Mrdanga-Damaru, Dhakka, Sankha, Kharamukhi, Hudukka, Pāvaya, Kāṁsyātālika'; Viņā and Vamsa, too, are mentioned.
It refers to the code of honour according to which śramaņas, Brāhmaṇas, cows, women, children and the old people were not to be killed even if they gave offence." It states that people, frightened at the invasion of enemy, used to bury underground their gold, silver, ornaments, etc.
The descriptions of Magadha, Rājagțha, etc., are more or less conventional hence we make only a passing reference to them. Some stray references, which are of interest to an antiquarian are given below. The Palmachariya speaks of :
(i) A gem bored by a diamond (Vajra) - I. 13b. (ii) The ears of a Jester (Vidáşaka) made out of wood I. 19. (iii) Elephants with their temples decorated with red mineral fluid (sindara), and who were
adorned with 'Nakşatramala', and bells (II. 39). (iv) A hunter looking upon the sight of a Jain monk as an evil omen (VI. 139.140). (v) Floor-decoration with five coloured powders (Rangāvali : XXIX. 2 ; XL. 5; LXVI. 21). (vi) Ornamental drawings (Bhakti) with various mineral metals or Auids (Dhāturasa,"
XXIX. 3). (vii) A large nu.nber of wives of kings. (viii) A large number of supernatural lores (VII. 13642). (ix) Kanduka-krida (a game with a ball, IV. 13).
(x) The exact replica of Dasaratha made of clay (Lepya, XXIII. 7). (xi) The celebrations on the birth of a son (XXV. 14). (xii) The drawing of life-like pictures on cloth (XXVIII. 9). (xiii) Various plants and creepers giving their names (LIII.79). (xiv) Dināra (a gold coin, LXVIII. 32), Ratna and Kakiņi (CXVIII-107), and of false weights
and measures and their use (XIV. 26). (xv) Sending a 'Lekha' (letter XXXVII. 2 ; LXXVII. 45). (xvi) The cremation of Rāvana with fragrant substances like Gośīrşı-candana, Aguru, Karpura,
etc. (LXXV. 4).
1. LVII. 28-29 ; LIX. 14, 23. LXXI. 21, etc.
2. LXXI. 60-67. 3. LVII. 22-23. 4. LXXXV. 19.
5. XXXV. 15; LXV. 30 6. LXIV. 10.
7. 11. 1-14. 8. Mallinātha (on Raghu 1. 4) explains : «Vajreņa masivedhakasaci višeşena' (a steel instrument
pointed with a diamond pin). In passing it may be noted that this verse strongly reminds one
of Ragla l. 4. 9. Malli: atha on Kumara 1. 7, explains the term as 'Sindūrādidravepa'.