Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 282

Sec. VIII]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
The pictorial descriptions of the town, such as, Simghaḍaga (crossway or a place where several roads meet)', Caccara (a place where four roads meet or a quadrangular place), etc. and the graphic accounts of the stream of the people, going through the streets to attend the religious discourse of Lord Mahāvīra at different Caityas reveal the well-planned cities of that period.
EIGHTH SECTION
Sports and Amusements, Manners and Customs.
Sports and Amusements
Sports and amusements are the marks of vitality of a healthy and strong social life endowed with the richness of the body and mind of the people, as it is manifested in their direct participation in these important arts of entertainment and their collective enjoyments.
They create a spirit of activity and generate fresh energy in an individual, give a new impetus and add a fillip to his work and that of the society in general.
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The Bhs throws some light upon these aspects of the social life of the people enjoying sports and amusements as developed and cultivated at that period. But it does not present a clear systematic picture of these important social entertainments. Sports
The term 'kila' of the word 'Kilavanadhate',' occurring in this canonical work denotes the general sport or play enjoyed by the youngsters.
This reference to kilāvanadhāie' (Kriḍapanadhātrī) clearly suggests that a special class of female nurses expert in various games was employed in the service of the royal family to coach the young princes in varieties of sports during their boyhood.
Besides this evidence, the BhS mentions the taking of physical exercise by a king in his gymnasium (aṭṭaṇasālā) before
1.3 BhS, 11, 9, 318.
4 Ib, 11, 11, 429.
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3 Ib, 9, 33, 384. Ib, 11, 11, 428.