Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study)

by Chandrima Das | 2021 | 98,676 words

This page relates ‘Abstract’ of the study on the Matangalina and Hastyayurveda in the light of available epigraphic data on elephants in ancient India. Both the Matanga-Lila (by Nilakantha) and and the Hasti-Ayurveda (by Palakapya) represent technical Sanskrit works deal with the treatment of elephants. This thesis deals with their natural abode, capturing techniques, myths and metaphors, and other text related to elephants reflected from a historical and chronological cultural framework.

Mātaṅgalīlā and Hastyāyurveda are two imperative texts on elephants with different focus. Scholars are not unanimous about the exact time of their composition and compilation. Though the styles of composition of both the texts are similar to other texts composed in early historic period, yet they went through a process of evolution and interpolations. Elephants are depicted in ancient Indian texts in various contexts, apart from references to elephants mainly used for warfare and ceremonial display, their importance was recognized for procuring ivory. Texts were composed especially on elephants highlighting varied aspects like their mythical origin, life cycle, capturing techniques, types, qualities etc. a detailed and analytical study of these two texts is the prime focus of this research. Along with these the references to elephants in other ancient texts as and when necessary have also been taken into consideration for comparative study and for finding parallels to develop a better understanding. Besides this another genre of primary data for this research, has been culled from a homogeneous random sampling of the epigraphic data, where ever there are allusions to elephants in inscriptions. Depiction of elephant on coins has also been taken into consideration. The two texts mentioned above have been studied by scholars in the past but an analytical and comparative approach taking into consideration other corroborative data is a desideratum.

There is special position of elephant lore in early Indian literature and gajaśāstras include both practical and theoretical elements of various aspects of elephants. The place of elephant lore in early Indian literature is assessed on the basis of the above mentioned sources along with a critical assessment of the theoretical and practical elements in the elephant science. To what extent do the textual references represent actual experience with elephants rather than theoretical or fanciful speculation is also addressed here. 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.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: