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Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s4: (4) Archery

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s4

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English

(4) Archery

c13.s4.1

The science of archery (*dhanuvveya*) was highly advanced in ancient India and heroism in this country is invariably associated with proficiency in this art.¹³ *Dhanuveya* and *īsattha*, as the sciences of archery, are counted among the seventy two arts, as we have already seen. We have seen hunters running here and there with bow and arrow in their hand in search of a forest-animal. The archer took the bow, chose a suitable position, pulled it up to the ear and shot the arrow. Various terms such as the back of the bow (*dhanupittha*), bow-string (*jīvā*), gut (*phāru*), arrow (*usu*),¹⁴ and awl-tipped arrow (*ārāmuha*)¹⁵ are mentioned. Shooting at a sound without seeing (*saddavehī*) is mentioned.¹⁶

c13.s4.2

¹³ *Dhanurmaha* is mentioned as a festival by Bhāsa, Dr. A. D. Pusalkar, *Bhāsa—A study*, Lahore, 1940, p. 440 f.

c13.s4.3

¹⁴ *Bhag.* 5 6.

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¹⁵ *Uttarā.* Ṭī. 4, p. 89.

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¹⁶ *Nāyā.* 18, p. 208, also cf. *Sarabhaṅga Jātaka* (No. 522), V, p. 129.

c13.s4.6

It was compulsory for princes to acquire proficiency in the science of archery We come across various kings and princes who were adepts in this science. Reference has been made to king Cedaga who was a skilful archer. He used to shoot one arrow a day which proved fatal for the enemy. Cedaga’s charioteer also was an adept in archery and is said to have killed thirty two warriors with one arrow.¹⁷ Jarākumāra was another expert marksman who is said to have shot dead Kaṇhavāsudeva by his arrow.¹⁸ Then Agaḍadatta is described as another shooter versed in the science of archery.¹⁹ We also come across Jain monks who were experts in archery (*kayakaraṇa*) and who, at the time of difficulty, fought with the enemy and saved the *Saṅgha*²⁰

c13.s4.7

¹⁷ *Ava.* cū. II, p. 173.

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¹⁸ *Uttarā.* Ṭī. 1, p. 40.

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¹⁹ *Ibid.* 4, p. 89.

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²⁰ See supra, 166, cf *Nisi.* cū. pī. p. 146.

c13.s4.11

Proficiency in archery was greatly prized and we hear of the prince Surindadātta who obtained a princess by shooting an effigy that stood on an axle to which were attached eight wheels²¹ We are told that a shepherd who perforated the foliage of a bunyan tree with his small bow (*dhanuhiyā*), at the command of a prince shot through the eyes of the king, and was offered a village in reward.²²

c13.s4.12

²¹ See supra, p. 158 f.

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²² *Uttarā.* Ṭī. 5, p. 102 a; cf. *Dhammapada* A II, p. 69

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