Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. III
Both the Jaina texts, Vivaga Suya' and Nayadhammakahão1 depict a vivid picture of the sad plight of the prisoners who were tortured by the jail authorities in many ways with various instruments of tortures, such as, iron jars filled with copper, tin, lead, limewater (Kalakala), boiling oil cooked with alkaline ingredients (Khāratela), urine of different animals, hand cuffs (Hatthanduya), fetters (Payanḍuya), wooden frames to tie the feet (Hadi), iron chains, different kinds of whips, stones, sticks, clubs, ropes, traps, swords, saws, razors, iron-nails, leather-straps, needles, hatchets, nail-cutters and darbha-grass.3
Besides these inhuman tortures the prisoners suffered from other troubles, such as, hunger, thirst, heat, cold, cough and leprosy and had to live in their own excreta and urine passed by them, and died unattended and uncared; on their miserable deaths their corpses were thrown away into ditches unceremoniously and were eaten up by wolves, dogs, jackels, big rats (kola), cats and birds.*
The Avasyaka Curni" presents the account of the sad plight of king Seniya without food and drink during his imprisonment by his son, Kūņika, but he was served with one hundred lashes every morning. His qeeen Cellana however was permitted to see him and she offered secretly some food brought by concealing in her hair.
Cases of law-suits, judicial procedure, criminal law and punishment as mentioned in the Jaina works are also elaborately discussed in the Brahmanical texts in a very systematic manner. Judicial procedure
The relativity of crime and punishment as evidenced in
1 Vivaga Suya 6, pp. 36 ff.
2
Nayadhammakahão 2, p. 54 ff.
3 Refer to 'Life in Ancient India' by Dr. J. C. Jain, p. 73, for details; see also Vivaga Suya 6, pp. 36 ff.
4 Panhavagarana 3, p. 54. Refer also to 'Life in Ancient Indiaby Dr. J. C. Jain for information.
5 Avasyaka Curni II, p. 171.
Manu-Smrti VIII, 47; 279, Vide A study in Hindu Social Theory by Kewal Motwani, p. 173.