Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 324

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
299
lance,
The text mentions various kinds of iron-products, such as, utensils, iron-pan, iron spoon, etc., agricultural impliments-sickle, etc., and other tools and weapons, axe, hammer, anvil, etc., lance, sword, arrow, coats of mail, etc.
Thus the above account reveals a picture of a developed state of the industry of mining and metallurgy, together with its associated crafts and reflects upon the flourishing economic conditions of the society of that period. Ivory work
The references to the Damtavānijja' (ivory-business) and trade in conch-shell (śamkha)' clearly show that the ivory work was a thriving cottage industry which was carried on by certain sections of the people for earning their livelihood. Pottery
Pottery was one of the most important handicrafts of the cottage industry taken up by a class of people called 'kumbhakāra's as distinguished by this occupation.
It produced various earthen wares, such as, earthen water jar (Chomejjānam kalasāņam)", earthen utensils, e. g. earthen plate (udakasthālaka... ...), thāli (earthen cooking vessel), etc.
The text also gives an idea of the potter's workshop which consisted of the working house, clay-pot lāyamcani), earth (mattiyā) and water (udae)". and other tools.
The mention of the rich potteress, Hālāhalā, the Ajivikaupāsikā of Srāvastī6 and the description of her workshop clearly show that pottery was a flourishing cottage industry of that period and it occupied an important position in the economic life of the society.
It was in this workshop of Hālāhalā where Gośāla Mańkhaliputra, having attained the round of twenty-four years of his initiation passed time by preaching the tenets of Ajīvikism and practising austerity and meditation according to the
i BhS, 8, 5, 330. 3 I6, 15, 1, 539. " Ib, 15, 1, 552.
1 Ib, 8.5, 328. 4 10, 9, 33, 385; 11, 9, 417. 6 lb, 15, 1, 552.