Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study)

by Chandrima Das | 2021 | 98,676 words

Hinduism Ayurveda

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Summary: This study analyzes the Matangalina and Hastyayurveda in the light of available epigraphic data on elephants in ancient India. The Matanga-Lila is composed by Nilakantha and represents a technical Sanskrit work on elephants in 263 verses divided over twelve chapters. The Hasti-Ayurveda is composed by Palakapya (muni) and deals primarily with the medical treatment of elephants in 12000 verses spread over 160 chapters.

In this thesis elephants, their availability, natural abode, capturing techniques, text related to elephants, myths and metaphors, elephants and ivory as a trading commodity is situated in a historical and chronological cultural framework. This study includes many extracts of the Sanskrit text and English translation of the Hastyayurveda and Matangalina.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1

. Introducing the two Major Texts: Mātaṅgalīlā and Hastyāyurveda

. Summary of the Mātaṅgalīlā

. Summary of the Hastyāyurveda

. Classification and Treatment of Elephant diseases

. Historical significance of Elephant lore

. Concluding Remarks:

+ Chapter 2

. Elephants in Epigraphic Records (Introduction)

. Elephants in the Royal army

. The gaja-śārdula concept

. Rutting elephants (based on inscriptions)

. Elephants as fourth or fifth wing of the Royal army

. Capturing of elephants in battle-field

. Elephants as gift

. Depiction of elephants on the royal seals and inscription-slabs/plates

. Epithets containing Elephants

. Metaphors regarding Elephants

. Elephants as chronogram

. Elephants and land grants

. Ivory and Trade

. Use of elephants for religious purposes and rituals

. Miscellaneous information regarding Elephants from epigraphic data

. Concluding Remarks

+ Chapter 3

. Techniques of Capturing Elephants (Introduction)

. Vāribandha: The first technique

. Vaśālobha: The second technique

. Anugatabandha: The third technique

. Āpātabandha: The fourth technique

. Avapāta: The fifth technique

. Quality Indicators regarding Elephants

. Measurement and Age of the Elephants

. Pregnant elephants

. Care and keeping of elephants

. Techniques of building Elephant abodes

. Food and Diet of Elephants

. The merits and measures of food suitable for the Elephant

. Megasthenes’ account on Elephants

. Medical treatment of Elephants

. Training of Elephants

. Tracking of Elephants in their natural abode

. Natural Abodes of Elephants: Forests and woods

. Concluding Remarks

+ Chapter 4

. Elephants in Myths and Metaphors (Introduction)

. Eight noble Elephants (aṣṭadiggajas)

. Divine origin of Elephants

. Curses borne by Elephants

. Gaja-piṭha or Gaja-pṛṣṭha (elephant-platform)

. Airāvata (vehicle of the King of Gods—Indra)

. Gaja-Lakṣmī motif

. Elephants in Buddhist mythology

. Elephants in Jain Mythology

. Elephants in Śaivism

. The Elephant-headed God (Gaṇeśa)

. Hybrid and Sea-creatures

. Gajendra-Mokṣa (Gajendra’s salvation)

. Elephants in Śaktism

. Mythological motifs related to Elephants

. Metaphors related to Elephants

. Concluding Remarks

+ Chapter 5

. Elephants and Trade (Introduction)

. Elephants in the Kingdom and as a Royal Asset

. Influence on foreign countries

. Ancient trade in Ivory and Elephant-tusks

. Elephants as commodities of Trade

. Concluding Remarks

Chapter 6 - Conclusion

Appendix I: List of Inscriptions

Appendix III: Elephant on Imperial Punch Marked Coins

Appendix III: Elephant on other Coins

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Last Updated: 21 March, 2023

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