Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 348

Sec. VI] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŮTRA 323 members of the rich aristocratic, noble and royal families, horses and elephantså ridden by the nobles and kings,
Besides these, there are references to the other civil transports in this canonical work, viz. palanquin (siviyā) carried by the professional bearers, sedan chair (sandamānīya), open vehicles (viyadajānāin) and transport chariots for the royal ladies."
Horses,' elephants and war chariots (samgāmiya) also formed the parts of the military transports, as it is evidenced by the fact that they were used in the great wars Mahāśilākanjaka. sangrāma and Rathamusalasangrāma as already pointed out.
The incidental references to the terms "Nāva (boat) and Pota (ship) occurring in the Bhs.? clearly suggest that the boat and ship were the means of water-communications for use in rivers and seas.
In hus already been discussed that the making of carts (sāļikamma) and transport business (bhädikamma) were the occupations of certain sections of the people for earning their livelihood.
These evidences clearly reveal that there was a development of transport system which facilitated the quick movement of men and women in their journeys and the swift despatch of soldiers and military convoys during the period of this canonical work.
SIXTH SECTION
General Economic Conditions and Ethics of Economics
General Economic Conditions
The BHS throws sufficient light upon the general economic conditions of the people of its period and enables one to form
1 Bh8, 9, 33, 385; 11, 11, 430. 9 Ib, 11, 11, 430. * Ib, 7, 9, 300. 7 Ib, 1, 6, 51; 1, 6, 55.
16, 9, 33, 385; 11, 11, 430. 4 Ib, 7, 9, 300, 301, 303. $ 16, 7, 9, 303; 11, 11, 430. 8 16, 8, 5, 330.