Sea-voyage, Sea-journey: 1 definition

Introduction:

Sea-voyage means something in the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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India history and geography

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Sea-voyage in ancient India was vividly depicted in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—The Kuvalayamala (779 A.D.) is full of cultural material which gains in value because of the firm date of its composition. [...] Sijjau-jattā is a Prākrit rendering of the Sanskrit siddha-yātrā that was applied to sea-journey including going and safe return. This had become a technical phrase in medieval literature.

Details of preparation for sea-voyage (jattā or yātrā) are given which include the following items relating to preparatory ritual and the equipment of the ship:

  1. arrangement of boats or ships;
  2. loading of merchandise;
  3. bringing together other sailors;
  4. calculation of the duration of the journey both outward and inward;
  5. fixation of the date and time of departure;
  6. observation of portends whether favourable or vice versa;
  7. making announcements about the journey;
  8. prayers to proper deities;
  9. feeding the Brahmins;
  10. paying respects to select persons;
  11. worshipping of deities;
  12. arrangement of sails;
  13. raising of the mast;
  14. fitting the furniture for sitting and sleeping;
  15. collecting loads of timber for plank and fuel; and
  16. filling the containers with fresh sweet water.
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context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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