The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.376

v1.c10.376

**Javelins and Discuses :** Of the arms of the second class, viz., missiles to be hurled with the hand, the only two worthy of notice are javelin and the discus. The former, under the name of *śela*, is frequently mentioned, and warriors mounted on horses or elephants used it largely, but it passes so insensibly to the spear or the thrusting weapon, that I have not been able to ascertain its exact form, and am doubtful if any distinction was ever made between them. I shall, therefore, notice the various kinds of spears and javelins seen in sculpture under one head. The discus, or quoit, is an old Indian favourite, of which mention is made even in the oldest Vedas.¹⁹⁵ Unlike the Sikh weapon of the present day, which is a simple ring with a sharp cutting edge, it had cross bars in the middle, and sometimes flame-like or pointed projections round the periphery. Its ancient name is *cakra* or "the wheel"; but one of the commentators on *Amara* identified it with the *prāśa*. It occurs both in sculpture, and also formed of iron, and mounted on spires of Vaiṣṇavite temples as a sectarial mark, like the cross of the Christian churches. Formerly certain classes of Vaiṣṇavas used to have a figure of it branded on the arms or breasts; the Śivites replaced it by the trident.