A Critical Note on the Word Kagini
By P. M. Upadhye
Summary
P. M. Upadhye investigates the Prakrit term ‘kagini’ in Vimalasuri’s Paumacariya. The word appears twice in lists of the fourteen jewels of a universal monarch. Earlier commentators glossed it as a necklace or anklet, but the term’s origin and meaning are uncertain. Upadhye surveys manuscript variants (kapini, cāmini) and examines parallels in Sanskrit texts. He suggests that kagini may be a corrupt reading and that the intended word could be a type of gold ornament or small bell. The note emphasises the need for cautious emendation and further lexical research.
Conclusion
Upadhye’s note illustrates how obscure Prakrit words can puzzle scholars. By collating variants and comparing Puranic lists, he argues that kagini may denote a type of ornament, though the identification remains tentative. The study underscores the importance of textual criticism in interpreting Jain epics.