Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c15.s2.19

c15.s2.19

Among auspicious objects mention is made of twelve kinds of musical instruments being beaten simultaneously (*nanditūra*), full vessel,¹³⁰ the sound of conch-shell and drum, a golden pitcher, umbrella, chowries, conveyance (*vāhana*), carriage (*yāna*), the *samaṇas*, flowers, sweet-balls (*modaka*), curds,¹³¹ fish, bell, and flags.¹³² Although the *sramanas* in general were considered auspicious but it is said that the *rattapadas*, *caragas* and *tāpasas*, including the sick, crippled, those who suffered from sickness, the physicians, those who wore dyed clothes or applied dust to their body boded evil.¹³³ It is stated that the sight of a *cakracara* indicated roaming about at random, that of a *pandwanga* starvation, that of a *tac-cannika* bloodshed and that of a *boliya* death without fail.¹³⁴ Fire in the country of Sindhu and burning of *sung* in Lāta were regarded as good omens.¹³⁵ Among animals and birds, the jackal,¹³⁶ *cāsa*,¹³⁷ peacock *bhāradvāja*, and mungoose were considered auspicious and if they were seen in the south they were considered to bring all wealth.¹³⁸ Then the trees without leaves such as *kaṇṭa* etc., the thorny bushes and trees, the trees shattered due to lightening, those having bitter juice such as *rohiṇī*, *kuṭaja* and *nimba* etc., and the trees burnt of conflagration, were considered as bad omens. Then the bones and the corpse were considered inauspicious and after seeing them a monk was prohibited from studying the scriptures.¹³⁹