India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s6.6

c12.s6.6

*PŪGA*—*Pūga* was less developed than a regular *āyudhjīvī Saṅgha*, but better organised than a *Vrāta*. The *Kāśikā* makes *Pūga* a species of *Saṅgha* composed of members of different castes without any regular occupation, but probably of a peaceful character intent on earning money (*nānā-jātīyā aniyata-vṛittayo arthakāma-pradhānāḥ Saṅghāḥ Pūgāḥ*, V.3.112). Pāṇini mentions *Pūga* along with *Saṅgha* and *Gaṇa* in connection with a quorum, the member whose presence imparted to the *Pūga* its completeness being mentioned as *Pūgatitha* (*pūgasya pūraṇaḥ*, V.2.52). This shows that the method of deliberation prevailing in the *Pūga* was similar to that in the well organised *Saṅghas* and *Gaṇas*.