Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.s15.17

c9.s15.17

Cooking is mentioned.¹⁴ Cooks (mahānasiya) were employed by the rich and the kings. They prepared various kinds of dishes.¹⁵ Cooks are included among nine nārus.¹⁶ Vegetables were cooked in oil (neha).¹⁷ To make arrangements for vegetable and ghee in the kitchen was known as āvāpa and the discussion whether food is cooked or uncooked as nirvāpa.¹⁸ The place of dining was besmeared with grass and lotuses and flowers were strewn; then pots were arranged and people had their meals.¹⁹ Mahānasasālā is mentioned as a free food distributing kitchen in which food was distributed free to ascetics, monks and the poor.²⁰