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Pauma-Cariya of Vimala Sūri
87
reveals the author's catholicity of outlook no doubt but it also reveals the immense popularity of the Trinity of Hindu gods in those centuries. The author gives a good description and closes on the full-moon day of Āşidha, Kārtika and Phälguna, 198 during these days fasts are observed and the temples of Jinas are decorated, the Jinābhiseka is performed and the images of Jinas are worshipped. He refers to the dispute regarding the processions of Brahma-ratha and Jina-ratha.29 He speaks of Bhavanapā'i devatà attending on the Jina and devas and the Yakşa lords Pūrnabhadra and Mānibhadra attending on the Tirthamkara (Santinātha). 130 The poet's severe condemnation of the Brāhmaṇas and his bitter attack against the Vedic cult of animal sacrifice131 probably suggest that the Bräimaņas had sway over the masses and animal sacrifices frequently performed during the time of the poet His repeated and vehement denuciation of meat-eating 32 probably point to the fact that the habit of meat-eating was prevalent among large sections of the populace. The poet refers to the custom of not eating meat during the eight-day' ftestival. 133
The author refers to Tāpasas (Brāhmaṇas, who have renounced society and live in the woods)'3+ and to Brāhmanas serving as king's priests. to astrologers and dream-interpreters who were in the service of kings. The astrologers were consulted and their advice valued, 13. Belief in good omens and evil portents was widely prevalent. People implicitly believed that dreams indicate coming events.
The author gives a very vivid description of the Mlecchas or Yavanas or Anāryas. 136 He gives a list of many Arya and Anārya Deśa's 137 some of which are easy to identify with some parts of India and bordering countries but some are very difficult to identify.
128 Canto XXIX.I-6 and Canto LXVI. 129 Canto V111.147f. 130 Canto XXXVII.43 and LXVII.28-49. 131 Canto IV.64-90 and XI.6-61, CV.44-46, 132 Canto XX11.83-90; XXVI.33-61. 133 Canto XX11.72. 134 Canto XXXIII 135 Canto V.68 136 te giet 4331Hi, tha#1 af 3771
अबरे तंबयवण्णा वामणदेहा चिबिडनासा ॥ वक्कलपत्तनियच्छा, मणिमयकडिसुत्तयाभरणदेहा ।
91573A fargfafa AL II -XXVII-32-33 137 Read Canto XCVIII.57-67, especially,
आहीरवोय जवणा कच्छा सग-कीरला य नेमाला । वरुला य चारुवच्छी, वरावडा चेव सोपारा ।
