Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c14.t1.76

c14.t1.76

During the period of sickness the *Samanas* had to depend solely on others for treatment. If a monk was seriously ill and the physician was not willing to come to *vasahi*, the *sādhus* had to carry him to the physician's house. The *Samanas* approached him at an auspicious time and talked when he was seated happily. Sometimes the physicians prescribed such medicines and diets for the patients which were difficult to procure for the monks. In case the physician attended the patient in the *uvassaya* the monks had to make arrangements for his bath, food and drink etc. Then the question of paying fees worried the *sādhus*. The greedy physician would not be contented without getting his dues and the poor *sādhu* had to provide for it getting it either from the treasure that one might have kept hidden under the earth before taking to the ascetic life or from the unclaimed treasure-trove found in a palace or a well or by earning by making mechanical swans and such other toys.⁴⁶