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 SUTRA
[Ch. III
Some Jaina texts give a detailed account of different classes of horses', their arming, saddling", training and riding", jumping (langhana), circular movement (vaggana), galloping (dhorana) and rearing."
Elephant
The elephant force stood second in rank as a fighting unit and held an honourable position in the army in the war and on other occasions, such as, royal procession and journey from one place to another. Elephants were furnished with the armoury cruppers, flags, standards, weapons, etc. as it is evidenced in the Jain texts."
The BhS mentions two war-elephants of king KūņikaAjātaśatru, named Udayin1o and Bhūtānanda" which were used by him in two great wars called 'Mahāśilākaṇṭaka Sangrāma and Kathamusala Sangrama respectively, waged by him against the combined force of the confederate army of Vasali, Kasi and Kosala, nine Mallakis and nine Licchavis. A great importance was attached by all the rulers of that period to the elephants.
It is already known from the evidence of Nirayāvaliyā Sutta that the Magadhan state elephant, Secanaka given by king
1 Dasa Cũ. 6, p. 213 (aśva, asvatara, ‘mule', ghotoka); See also Jambu. Sú 2. p. 110 f, Ramayana 1. 6, 22; akirna (ill bred horse) Uttara, Su. II 16; see Sthänänga Sutra 4-327; Khalunka Sutta, Anguttara N. IV, p. 190 f, for 8 defects of a horse, Kanthaka (another variety of horse)-Uttara. Su II, 16 and the commentary; the com. of Sthānanga-Sutra--4, 327. See also Dhammapada. A, 1., p. 85. Thani--Brh. Bha. 3,
395 a f.
2 Vivaga Suya 2, p. 13; Ovaiya Suya. 31, p. 132. (arming and saddling of horse and the horseman).
3 Ib.
4 Avasyaka Tika p. 261; See also Raya. Sa. 161. Uttara. Tika 9, p. 141--(Vāmyāli--the training centre for horse). 5 Uttara. Tikā. 5, p. 103.
6 Ovā, Su, 31. p. 132, Cf. Arthaśāstra (p. 148) for the explanation of the terms.
7 Vya. Bha. 10. 484, Uttara. Tikā 4., p. 96.
8 Bhs, 7, 9, 300, 301.
9 Vivaga Suya, 2, p. 13; Ovaiya Suya, 30, p. 117; 31, p. 132; Ramayana, 1, 53, 118.
10 Bhs, 7, 9, 300,
11 Ib, 7, 9, 301.