Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s6.t2.15

c7.s6.t2.15

The *Vivāgasuya* describes Vijaya of Sālādavi who was the ring-leader of the robbers who aimed at the object on hearing its sound (*saddavehi*) and was the foremost warrior in wielding the sword. He gave shelter to adulterers, pick-pockets, thieves and many other undesirable persons. He raided towns and villages, lifted cattle, took captives, waylaid travellers, terrorised people by breaking open their walls, tortured them, destroyed their property and extracted money from them by force.²⁶ Then we hear of Cilāya, a slave-boy (*dāsaceḍa*) of Dhanna of Rāyagiha. Being dismissed by his master from service he approached Vijaya, the leader of five hundred robbers of Sihaguhā and joined his gang. The leader of the robbers appointed him as his body-guard with a sword in his hand (*asilatthiggaha*). Vijaya taught him various spells (*vijjā*) and incantations (*manta*) etc., in connection with the art of larceny. In course of time, Vijaya died and Cilāya was appointed in his place. Once Cilāya proposed to commit a dacoity in the house of Dhanna. The robbers got ready equipped themselves well with swords, bows, arrows and various other weapons and marched towards Rāyagiha, amidst the beating of drums, to invest the house of Dhanna. The robbers reached the city-gate, their ring-leader recited the spell which could open the locks (*ulugghāḍanivijjā*),²⁷ took out water from his water-bag (*udagabatthi*) and sprinkled it over the doors. The doors were opened and Cilāya, along with his party rushed into the city. He challenged the citizens to stop him and along with huge amount of wealth, carried off Sumsumā, the daughter of Dhanna to the forest.²⁸