India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c8.s13.t1.5

c8.s13.t1.5

SAMAJYĀ—Pāṇini refers to *samajyā* (a *saṁjñā* in III.3.99) which Kātyāyana and Patañjali explain as a place where people flock together (*samajanti tasyāṁ samajyā*, *Bhāshya*, II.152). We are indebted to the *Jātakas* for information that the *samajjās* (=*samajyā*) were special gatherings 'where crowds of men, women and children gathered together and witnessed various kinds of shows and performances, like dancing and music, combats of elephants, horses and rams, bouts at quarter-staff (*daṇḍehi yuddhaṁ*) and wrestling.' (R. L. Mehta, *Pre-Buddhist India*, p. 355). The *Vidhurapaṇḍita Jātaka* refers to *samajyā* gatherings of men and women, and seats arranged in tiers upon tiers (*mañchātimañche*, *Jāt*. VI.277). The *samajyā* gatherings formed a regular feature of social life in the Mahājanapada period.