Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 403

378
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
1. VI
on other occasions, such as, amoghavāna, bow and arrow (dhanu & usu), club (or stick), sword (asi), lance (kunta),' mace (musala), big iron-rod-like weapons, big stone catapult (Mahāśilākantaka)," a mace fitted to the chariot (Rathamusala), impregnable armour (abhedyakavacar vajrapratirūpakar),' and coat of mail (sanna. ddhabaddha vammiyakavae),' and other equipments, such as, flag, (cimdhaddhaya padāga) marked with discus or disc (cakra), umbrella (chattar), etc.
Flags, trumpets and drums etc., as the marks of distinctions of different contending parties infused a fighting spirit and instilled courage and morale into the hearts of the soldiers belonging to both the warring camps, so they fought with undaunted courage to keep up the honour of their respective flags but tried to cut off and capture those of their rival force with arrows. If the banner of one party was lost, the war was also lost to it, because the victory was inter-related with the honour of this war insignia representing the state.
The introduction and use of two war engines called Mahāśilākaạtaka and Rathamusala by king Kūņika-Ajātaśatru in the two great wars against the confederate army of Vaiśālī, Kasi, Kośala, nine Mallakis and nine Licchavis clearly show the invention of most effective mechanized weapons at that period.
In the Mahāśilākantakasangrāmao some mechanism was probably devised to throw musket ball of stone which caused great atrocities and destructions in the camp of the confederate army.
Bhs, 7, 9, 300.
: Ib, 9, 33, 85. 3 16, 7, 9, 301.
+ 16, 7, 9, 300. 5 Ib, 7,9, 300,
6 16, 7, 9, 300. ? 16, 7, 9, 300-303.
8 16, 7, 9, 300. 16, 7, 9, 300. This reminds one of the Sataghni of the Rāmāyaṇa. Mahāśilā is a kind of weapon (a sataghni with iron nails)-Monier-Williams : Sanskrit Dictionary. See also Harivamsa-II, 42. 21 ; II 39, 75.