Vasudevahindi (cultural history)

by A. P. Jamkhedkar | 1965 | 134,331 words

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Summary: This essay is an English study of the Vasudevahindi reflecting cultural history and traditions of the life of people in ancient and medieval India during the 6th century. The Vasudevahindi is a romantic and religious tale divided into two parts. The first part is attributed to Sanghadasa (6th century A.D.) and explores the wanderings of Dhammilla and Vasudeva, a former Jain monk who makes a vow to be reborn as a desirable male. The second part by is attributed to Dharmadasa (9th century A.D.) and continues Vasudeva's adventures, notably including religious teachings in the guise of love stories, a common theme of poetry in Jainism.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

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

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Vasudevahindi (cultural history) 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:

Warning! This document has not been proofread. However, for each page you can (and should) verify the text with the original source PDF file.

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. 1. Introduction to Jain literature

. 2. Introduction to Vasudevahindi

+ Chapter 2 - Political conditions

. 1. Origin of kingship

. 2. The Duties of a King

. 3. The concept of Abhisea (Anointing)

. 3. Succession of Kingship

. 4. Royal Insignia (such as parasol and camara)

. 5. Royal Income

. 6. Palace life

. 7. The inmates of a Palace (in ancient India)

. 8. Servants in the Audience-hall of the King

. 9. Description of Royal Transport

. 10. The concepts of Cakkavatti and Adhiraja

. 11. Regarding Vassals (subordinates)

. 12. Regarding Inter-state Relations and Dutas (ambassadors)

. 13. Regarding Foreign Policy

. 14. Regarding Policy-making

. 15. Behaviour towards an Ally and Eenemy

. 16. The Purohita (spiritual guide of the king)

. 17. Policy in Administration

. 18. The Ideal King and his behaviour

. 19. The king and his Subjects

. 20. The Royal Courtiers

. 21. The ministers (Mamti, Amacca, and Saciva)

. 22. The ministers (Setthi and Nigamas)

. 23. Other Administrative Officers

. 24. City Administration (in ancient India)

. 25. Village Administration (in ancient India)

. 26. The concept of Justice (in ancient India)

. 27. Procedures (in ancient India)

. 28. Crime and Punishment (in ancient India)

. 29. Code of Behaviour of a Soldier

. 30. The Army (in ancient India)

. 31. The Weapons (in ancient India)

. 32. The concept of War (in ancient India)

+ Chapter 3 - Social Conditions

. 1. Social Conditions in ancient India (introduction)

. 2. Marriage and Varnas

. 3. Caste description of Brahmins (Brahmanas)

. 4. Caste description of Ksatriyas

. 5. Caste description of Vaisyas

. 6. Caste description of Shudras

. 7. The Candalas and Other Despised Classes

. 8. Origin and Antiquity of Marriage

. 9. The Gandharva Marriage

. 10. The Raksasa Marriage

. 11. Marriages Settled by Parents

. 12. The Asura Marriage (or Marriage with Bride-price)

. 13. The Svayamvara form of Marriage

. 14. Celebrations Preliminary to Marriage

. 15. Dowry and Stridhana

. 16. Cases of Abnormal Marriages and Marriage Rites

. 17. Position of Women (in Jainism and ancient India)

. 18. Description of Courtezans (Ganikas)

. 19. Family life in ancient India

. 20. References to Sacraments (in ancient India)

. 21. The Sati System (in ancient India)

. 22. The concept of Shraddha and Memorial rites

. 23. The Mode of Behaviour and Vices

. 24. Receiving a Guest (in ancient India)

. 25. Education in ancient India (Introduction)

. 26. Knowledge of signs on the body (Lakkhana-Pathaga)

. 27. Auspicious and Inauspicious Signs Pertaining to women

. 28. The Nemittis: Kowledge of foretelling, omens and dreams

. 29. Magical Spells and other practices

. 30. Herbs and Jewels

. 31. The Evil Eye

. 32. The Art of cooking (in ancient India)

. 33. Daily Routine and Toilet (in ancient India)

. 34. Ornaments, Dress and Decorations (in ancient India)

. 35. Festivals and Entertainment in ancient India (Introduction)

. 36. Pastimes of Women (in ancient India)

. 37. Household appliances (in ancient India)

+ Chapter 4 - Economic Conditions

. 1. Professions and Agriculture in ancient India

. 2. The Science and Use of Jewels

. 3. Healthcare and Medicines in ancient India

. 4. Labour in ancient India

. 5. The art of Business (in ancient India)

. 6. Grants, wages and earnings (in ancient India)

. 7. Trade and Trade-centres (in ancient India)

. 8. Arts and Education (in ancient India) (Introduction)

. 9. Music and Dancing (in ancient India)

. 10. Sculpture and Painting (in Jainism and ancient India)

. 11. Architecture and Town Planning (in ancient India)

. 12. Antiquity of Temples

+ Chapter 5 - Religion and Philosophy

. 1. The concept of Time in Jain Philosophy

. 2. The four types of births

. 3. Kamma (Karma) and its effects

. 4. The role of the Titthayaras (Tirthankaras)

. 5. Causes of renunciation

. 6. Pre-requisites and Qualifications for entry into the order

. 7. Jain initiation ceremony

. 8. The general terms for Jain monks and officers

. 9. The apparel and requisites for Jain monks

. 10. The mode of monastic life

. 11. Food in Jainism

. 12. Jain monastic discipline

. 13. Jain literature and study material

. 14. The ten-fold Religion and Self-control

. 15. Penance and Fasting in Jainism

. 16. Supernatural powers (Laddhi) in Jainism

. 17. The concept of Knowledge in Jainism

. 18. The concept of Death and Emancipation in Jainism

. 19. Order of Jain Nuns

. 20. Lay followers in Jainism

. 21. The philosophy of Natthiyavaya

. 22. The philosophy of Samkha and Joga (the Parivvayaga)

. 23. Philosophy of the Tapasa school

. 24. Philosophy of the Bhagavadas

. 25. Philosophy of the Kapalikas

. 26. Philosophy of the Pamdaramgas (Pandarangas)

. 27. Origin of Ahavvaveda (Atharvaveda)

. 28. Regarding the Sacrifices

. 29. Information regarding the Brahmanical religion

. 30. Temple Worship

. 31. Schools of Philosophy

. 32. Types of Gods and Goddesses in Jainism

. 33. The life of a Tirthankara (Titthayara)

. 34. The life of Cakkavattis (Cakravartins)

. 35. The life of Baladeva-Vasudevas

. 36. Stories similar to Brahmanical Legends

. 37. Image Worship in the Jain religion

. 38. Temples and other important structures in the Jain religion

. 39. Popular Gods and Rituals in the Jain religion

. 40. Iconography of Jainism

. 41. Religious Festivals (in ancient India)

Chapter 6 - Epilogue

Appendix 1 - Description of Vidyadharas and magical lores

Appendix 2 - Cities mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 3 - Forests mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 4 - Islands mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 5 - Janapadas mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 6 - Lands and Provinces mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 7 - Mountains and Hills mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 8 - Oceans mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 9 - Pallis mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 10 - Rivers mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 11 - Tirthas mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 12 - Villages mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Appendix 13 - Vishayas mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

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Last Updated: 12 September, 2024

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