Sambodhi 1998 Vol 22

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 56

Vol XXII, 1998
POPULAR SPORTS AND
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Kahaga=Kathaka, Story tellers Among the entertainers storytellers were also included They were telling vanous kinds of stories with physical and facial gestures, so that people became wonderstuck11
Lamkhakrīdā (Mahāvamśāgrakhela) = Bamboopole dance References to Lamkhas (Mahāvamśāgra khelakah) are found abundantly in ancient Jaina texts, especially in the Tlāciputrakathā The oldest and detailed description can be read in the 'Avasyakacūrni (early 7th century A D )12 This sport is called 'langhan-padanakrīdā (jumping up on pole and again jumping down) also A board is fitted on a long bamboo pole and two big nails are fixed on it Two hollow pipes are fitted on the sole of players shoes He jumps in the air and lands on the board in such a perfect manner that both standing nails exactly come under the two hollow pipes of his shoes He moves around himself speedily seven times in front and seven times in back, without losing his balance Then he jumps on the ground safely A little disbalance may lead the player in hundred pieces
Above mentioned description is not found in these Udyankrīdā Here this kriidā is described in only one Apabhrmkha' verse 'Lamkha' players were ascending the tall post of bamboos like an aeroplane in the sky and performed amazing feats They moved on the post like potter's wheel The description of this krīdā is also found in another place in the same text In the story of Ilāciputra' (4292-4294),14 the author narrates this lamkhakrida with the help of three verses which is similar to those in the Avašyakacūrnu
Indajālıya (Indrajāla) After the description of lamkha poet describes the skill of magicians in three Apabhrmśa verses These magicians made people wonder-struck by producing precious stones, pearls and fire from mouth They were roasting the grains with the corner of their clothes They were showing the plants full of leaves, flowers, and fruits after immediately sawing the magic seeds The king enjoys the skill of magicians In reality, it was nothing but hypnotising the common people is
Thus this text gives valuable information about various kinds of sports and means of entertainment which were wellknown in ancient times