Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.s19.36

c9.s19.36

*Dūsa* or *dūsya* was another variety of cloth. *Devadūsa* (divine *dūsa*) is mentioned. It is stated that Mahāvīra joined the ascetic order wearing it on his left shoulder. Later on, this piece of cloth was estimated costing hundred thousand pieces of money (*sayasahassamollam*).⁹² With the *vijayadūsa* is mentioned another variety of cloth which was as white as the conch-shell, *kunda* flower, spray of water and foam of the ocean.⁹³ The *Brhatkalpa Bhāṣya* mentions five kinds of *dūsya* : *koyava*, *pāvāraga*,⁹⁴ clean white cloth like the row of teeth (*dādhūlī*), sacks, elephant-housing, etc. which are woven with coarse yarn (*pūri*) and cloth woven with double yarn (*virali*).⁹⁵ The commentary on the *Thāṇāṅga* gives *palhavi* or *pallavi* (a cloth thrown on elephant’s back) and *navayaa* (woollen sheet) in place of the last two mentioned articles.⁹⁶ Another list of the five *dūsyas* is : pillow (*upadhāna*, also known as *bibboyaṇa*), mattress stuffed with cotton (*tūlī*),⁹⁷ mattress of the size of a human being (*āliṅganī* or *āliṅgaṇa*), cushions for cheek (*gaṇḍovahāna*) and round cushions (*masūraka*)⁹⁸.