Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s6.t2.24

c7.s6.t2.24

Then we hear another robber-chief named Abhaggasena of Purimatāla. The king of Purimatāla raided the robber-settlement with a huge army but before the king’s army reached the settlement, Abhaggasena was informed by his spies about the intended attack. He marched against the enemy and routed his army. After some time the king decided to win over the robber by conciliation (sāma) and by creating confidence in him. He declared a ten days’ festival in the town in which Abhaggasena was invited along with his friends and relatives. He was entertained by the king lavishly and one day when the robber was engrossed in merry-making he was put under arrest and was executed.³¹ We are told about a certain priest, who robbed the purse of a merchant containing one thousand (sahasso naulo). The merchant demanded the purse but the priest would not return it. At last the merchant sued in the court and the priest lost the case. The king ordered the priest either to be given one hundred lashes or to swallow human excreta (gū). The culprit preferred the former But after receiving a few lashes he was tired and he preferred to take excreta. After taking it a little he refused to take any more and he asked for the lashes again Thus the culprit had to undergo both punishments and his whole property was confiscated³²