Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t6.1

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