Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s6.t5.15

c7.s6.t5.15

It seems that even for ordinary offences the kings did not hesitate to inflict severe punishments. The commentary on the Uttarādhyayana tells us that once during the time of the Indra festival, the king made a proclamation that the citizens should leave the town and go out to celebrate the festival. A priest's son, unmindful of the king's order, remained in the house of a harlot; the king ordered him to be executed. The priest offered his whole property to save his son, but he could not save him from the gallows.⁵⁵ On another occasion, king Ratnaśekhara announced the celebration of moon-lit night (kaumudīpācāra) and asked the citizens to leave the town in the company of their wives. The six sons of a layman did not care for the royal command and stayed at home. Later on, at the request of the layman, only one son was saved and the rest were executed.⁵⁶