Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s1.t8.1

c7.s1.t8.1

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