Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study)
by Chandrima Das | 2021 | 98,676 words
This page relates ‘Concluding Remarks’ 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.
Concluding Remarks
The above data and its analysis reflect the importance of elephants in early India and the acquaintance of the society with the science of elephantology. Often myths and metaphors include elephants and even diseases of elephants as popular themes. One can easily relate to the generic knowledge of the then society with such concepts, themes, terms and terminologies. Myths and metaphors were used by common masses they often include codified or cryptic information. The abbreviated oblique and cryptic message was easily decoded and hence metaphors were created. On the other hand the inclusion of elephant and related issues in the making of myths also reflect the acquaintance of the society with the animal. The mobility and use of the animal for transport and travel is reflected in the naming of the directions or association of elephants with directions.