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 SÚTRA. (Ch. iv ments, such as, crown, necklaces, bracelets, armlets, rings," anklets, etc.
It is already pointed out that a class of special female decorators (pasāhiyão), grinders of sandal wood (vannaga pesão) and fragrant powder (cunnagapesão) were employed in the service of the royal family for decorating the ladies, particularly the young married princesses.'
In addition, the following requisites for keeping up the standard of the art of decoration, toileting and luxury were used, viz. mirror (dappaña), collyrium (kharjaņa), flowers of five colours, black aloe (kālāgaru), best perfume (cīļā), olibanum (sil haka), incense (dhūva) and scented pills (gamdhavații;?.
The evidences of the taking of private and ceremonial baths and the art of personal decoration are fully corroborated by other Jaina texts also.8 Houses and Articles of Furniture
The Bhs presents an account of the houses and articles of furniture generally used by the members of rich aristocratic and royal families, but it does not throw much light upon the dwellings of common men, probably because they had no conspicuous features to be mentioned. Moreover, there were some houseless peoples in the society as known to this text.
So here is given a picture of the royal palace consisting of lofty mansions, inner female apartment (anteura),"o outer assembly hall (uvatthāṇasāla)," theatre hall (pecchāghara),1 bath house (majjanaghara), gymnasium (attaņas ālā), treasury-house (kosa), 15 kitchen (mahānasa),29 dining hall (bhoyanamandava),17 store house
1 Bhs, 11, 11, 430.
2-3 I6, 9, 33, 380. 116, 11, 11, 430.
6 16, 9, 33, 385. 8 16, 6, 1, 229.
7 16, 11, 11, 428. 8 Nayadhammakahão, 1, 26, p. 24 ; 1, 29, p. 29. 9 Bh8, 9, 33, 383 ; 11, 11, 429.
10 16, 11, 9, 417. 11 16. 11, 11, 428.
12 I6, 11, 11, 429. 18 Ib, 9, 33, 383.
14 10, 11, 11, 428, 15 1b, 11, 9 417, (it may be treasure also). 18 1b, 11, 11, 430. The word is 'Mahānasio', it is clear that Mahā.
nasi is derived from Mahānasa. 17 Ib, 3, 1, 134 ; 11, 9, 417.