Essay name: Vasudevahindi (cultural history)
Author:
A. P. Jamkhedkar
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute Pune
This essay is an English study of the Vasudevahindi reflecting cultural history and traditions of the life of people in ancient and medieval India during the 6th century. The Vasudevahimdi is a romantic and religious tale that revolves around the wanderings of Vasudeva (a former Jain monk) and religious teachings in the guise of love stories, a common theme of poetry in Jainism.
Chapter 3 - Social Conditions
56 (of 228)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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203
braid, and was allowed to put on some small ornament
displaying auspiciousness.
She
As such, according to the Vh(M), princess
Somasiri, when kidnapped and separated from Vasudeva,
lived in a simple manner. She did not pay any attention
to her appearance, nor did she put on any ornaments.
wore soiled clothes and arranged her hair in a simple
braid. She lessened her material requirements, slept on
kusa grass and ate simple food like ayambila虏.
S
GANIKA :
Origin and Name :
According to the Jaina tradition as represented
in the Vh, the origin of the courtezans (Ganika) goes back
to the times of Bharaha, the first sovereign (cakkavatti)
3 of this osappini. As the story 鲁 goes, Bharaha was
presented with their daughters by the feudatories (samamtas).
At their arrival, the chief queen, feeling jealous, asked
the king not to allow them entry in the palace beyond
the hall of audience (bahirovatthana), where they served the
bearers
king along with the camara - bearers and parasol-holders.
Then they were gradually given away to the ganas.
1. Vh(P), 35, 75, 232-33.
2. Vh(M), I. 24ab.
3. Vh(P), 103.
