Matanga Lila

Matanga Lila is a treatise in Sanskrit dealing with the life and behaviour of elephants.

From the popularity of the text in the region now comprising the modern state of Kerala in India, it is thought that the author might have lived there.

In support of this contention he noted that the "signature texts such as the Matanga-Lila" contain over 130 technical words, for which there are no clear Sanskrit etymologies.

They include the number of nails, presence of external testes, undesirable marks on the trunk, on the penis, on the tail and on other parts of the body.

Chapter 11, the longest in the whole work is titled "On keeping of elephants and their daily including seasonal regimen".

Cover page of the English translation of Matanga Lila