Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s4.1

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