Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t6: Hunting
Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t6
- Language
- English
Hunting
c9.t6.1
Then we come to hunting. As flesh-eating was common in those days, hunting had its great value. The kings used to go for hunting with a large retinue. We are told about king Sañjaya who chased the deer on horseback in the Kesara garden.¹⁰⁰ Hunting (miyavaha) is referred to in the *Bhagavati*;¹⁰¹ there were regular hunters (*migaluddhaya*) whose occupation was to capture or kill the animals and earn their living by selling them. Hunting with hounds is also mentioned.¹⁰² Such hunters were called *soṇiya* (*śaunika*); others who captured animals by snare were known as *vāgurika*.¹⁰³ Snares and traps (*kūḍajāla*) are mentioned.¹⁰⁴ Even elephants were hunted.¹⁰⁵
c9.t6.2
¹⁰⁰ *Uttarā. Sū.*, 18. 2f.
c9.t6.3
¹⁰¹ 1. 8.
c9.t6.4
¹⁰² *Sāya.* II, 2. 31.
c9.t6.5
¹⁰³ *Bṛh. Bhā.* 1. 2766; *Vya. Bhā.* 3. p 20a.
c9.t6.6
¹⁰⁴ *Uttarā.* 19. 63.
c9.t6.7
¹⁰⁵ *Sūya.* II, 6; 9 2.
Linked texts (3)
- Uttarajjhayaṇa — Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
- Viyāhapannatti — Sudharman, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
- Vyavahārabhāṣya (Kusumpragya Shramani, Jain Vishva Bharati, 1996) — Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit