Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 120

Sec. V]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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(bahiriyão padihārzo), female treasurers (bhandägārinio) storekeepers (kotthagārio), propitiators (balikāržo), actresses (nādaijjão) (or female dancers) and other menials, such as, female dwarfs (vāmanā), hunch-backed women (khujjão), clowns (davakäržo), bearers of new brides (or carriers of babes) (ajjhādhāriņio), female attendants (pārisão), female bearers of umbrella, chowries, palm-leaf-fans, box for betel, (chattadhārīo ceļão, câmara dhārio cedio, tăliyamudhārio cedio, Icarodiyadhāržo cedio), five classes of nurses (Ichiradhāio, etc., upto ankadhažo), female massagers of body (angamaddiyão) and rubbers of body (ummaddiyão), bathmakers (nhāviyão', decorators (pasāhiyão), sandal.grinders (vannagapesžo), grinders of fragrant powders (cunnagapesão), waitresses (uvatthāniyão), female attendants (kodur winio), female cooks (mahānusinio), bearers of flowers, water, female despatchers of message (pesanakārio), courtesans of different categories for dancing and singing,' holding umbrella, water-pitcher, golden stick and fanning chowries, and foster-mother who accompanied the prince on his journey.
It is interesting to note that a separate large establishment of palace-staff for an individual queen had to be supported by the king on heavy expenditure, because polygamy was prevalent among the ruling Ksatriya castes, particularly in the royal families.
It is to be observed that the BhS refers to the marriage of the Ksatriya prince Mabābala of Hastināpura with eight princesses at a time on the same day. So it was thought wise by the ruling king, Bala, the father of the prince to provide all those eight princesses with their respective necessaries of life, lest the internal quarrel of the co-wives might arise and break the peace of the palace. It was a great problem for the king to keep the royal dignity in the state with his paraphernalia. Council of Ministers
As it was an impossible task for the king to perform his heavy administrative duties of the state without the assistance
i Bhs, 11, 11, 430. 16, 9, 33, 383. 3 18, 9, 33, 385,