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Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s1.t8: Consecration Ceremony

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s1.t8

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Consecration Ceremony

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The ceremony of consecration was an important function in ancient India. The Jambuddīvapannatti describes the consecration of Bharata, the Universal Monarch. He entered the consecration hall when various kings, the senāpati, the purohita, the eighteen guilds (seṇippaseṇi), the merchants and others sprinkled with fragrant water and hailed him with cries of victory. It is said that people placed a royal crown on his head, rubbed his body with soft and hairy clothes dyed with fragrant saffron (pahmalasukumālagandhakāsāra), put on a garland around his neck and adorned his body with various ornaments. On this occasion the citizens were exempted from taxes and a festival was declared lasting for a long period.²⁸ Then we hear of the coronation ceremony of Mehakumāra in the Nāyādhammakahā. It is said that before Mehakumāra renounced the world, at the request of his parents, he was installed on the throne for one single day. He was given a bath with eight hundred pitchers made of gold, silver and gems etc.; he was sprinkled over with water brought from various holy places and earth, flowers, perfumes, garlands, herbs, and mustard were cast over his head, and he was consecrated with all pomp and ceremony amidst the beating of the instrument *dundubhi*.²⁹

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²⁸ Sū, 3. 68, pp. 267a-270.

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²⁹ 1, p. 28f. The consecration ceremony is also described in the *Mahābhārata* (Vir. P. 1XL), *Rāmāyaṇa* (II. 3; 6, 14; 15, IV. 26 20ff), and the *Jātakas* (*Pañcaguru Jātaka*, I No 132, p. 470, *Ayoghara Jātaka*, IV, No 510, p 492; when the subjects, headed by priests, came to see the prince with diverse kinds of auspicious articles; the whole city was decorated, courtiers played and danced all round; priests, generals, merchants and citizens, provincials—all thronged at the palace and made a holiday; the town was decorated on a heavenly style, the prince was placed on a pile of jewels, he was sprinkled from the three conches and an umbrella with its festoons of gold was held over him.

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