Paumacariya (critical study)
by K. R. Chandra | 1970 | 238,015 words
This is an English study of the Paumacariya: the earliest Jain version of Rama's life story, written in Prakrit by Vimalasuri dating to the 4th century AD. In this text, Rama (referred to as Padma) is depicted with lotus-like eyes and a blooming face. The Paumacariya places emphasis on the human aspects of characters rooted in Jain values, contrast...
9.2. Indoor-Games (in ancient India)
[Full title: Games and Amusements (in ancient India); (2): Indoor-Games]
Dice Dice-playing was a very popular game and Ganikas (courtezans) and Vesyas (prostitutes) encouraged this game in their houses. Purohita Satyavadin's theft was caught while he was playing
374 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM the game of dice with a courtezan (5.32). Thus this game was helpful in detecting the thefts also. A merchant's son Haridasa lost all his property in the game of dice and thus was compelled to commit burglary in the royal palace. Thus this game proved to be a great vice. A Brahmin son was addicted to this vice. It was not considered to be a good habit by his parents and so he was expelled from home (82.79). After some time he turned to be a veritable master of this game and became the teacher of knaves (82.86). He enjoyed profusely the company of the courtezans and was accorded respect by the state. Prostitutes formed an institution of amusement for the rich and the nobles as mentioned else where. A merchant of Kundanagara, who had gone to Ujjeni on a trade-mission was allured by a beautiful prostitute of that place. He enjoyed company with her and within six months he lost all his property worth innumerable coins of money. content with that much. His attachment to her was so deep that he did not consider it bad in attempting to commit theft in the royal house (33.65-73) for procuring the earrings of the queen for that prostitute.